Testimony to Continue on Wemple Property

Testimony will continue Tuesday with questions from Stop 18 Homes-appointed attorney Jeffrey Brookner, who is being allowed to question engineer James Mantz on an application for 18 homes on what is referred to as the "" in Bridgewater.

The planning board meeting with the continued application will be held at 7 p.m. at the municipal complex.

The application is for the building of 18 single-family homes on 36 acres of woodlands on Twin Oaks and Foothill roads, formerly owned by the late John Wemple, and currnetly owned by Steve Lang.

was formed when the application was first introduced to the planning board, and is made up of more than 60 residents living in the vicinity of the property and opposing the proposal for development.

When the application was introduced, the group retained Brookner to represent them.

Wemple, who willed the property to his nieces and nephews after his death in 2002, had maintained to his neighbors that he never wanted to see the land developed, and made that a part of his will, which was overturned by the Superior Court of New Jersey in 2005.

The application was most recently heard at the June 25 planning board meeting, when Mantz completed his testimony and took questions from residents concerned about drainage from the property.

Some questioned the adequacy of culverts in the area, and many said they already deal with run-off into their basements and on their land in storms. They said they are worried that development will add to this problem.

Mantz said at the previous meeting that the application has been revised to include the addition of Lot 63, which has steep slopes and will not be developed, instead being donated as a charitable contribution of land to the township.

At Tuesday's meeting, in addition to questions for Mantz from Brookner, an environmental expert with the applicant is expected to testify.