Anti-Farming Material Placed at Chatham Train Station

Signs and fliers encouraging the rejection of a proposed community farming ordinance in the township were found at the Chatham train station Monday morning.

Transit employees disposed of a large sign, reading "Say 'No' to Commercial Farming," which had been stuck to the back of a ticket machine. All signs outside of the station are not permitted by NJ Transit policy.

A text version of had also been slipped into motorcycles and bikes that were parked at the station. Several portions of the article had been highlighted in yellow, particularly portions that quoted a letter written to the Township Committee by Richard Erich Templin.

The letter accuses the committee has selectively enforced its ordinances and allowed a farm and a landscaping business to be operated out of a residence along Green Village Road. It also states that allowing a farm on the property would "dramatically change the now pastoral character of Green Village."

Committee members and township officials responded with anger at the accusations in Templin's letter, saying they have spoken with Templin many times and been to the property in question to ensure that municipal ordinances are being followed.

The residences of 461 Green Village Rd., Thomas and Debra Bucuk, wish to operate an organic farm from their property, which is currently zoned as residential. They have asked that the committee pass a Right to Farm ordinance that would allow small commercial "family" farms. They told the committee they hope to sell their produce at the Chatham Farmer's Market.

Debra Bucuk told the committee that she has felt harassed by Templin, whom she said has sent police, the state DEP and Great Swamp officials to her property numerous times.

"I feel like every time I turn around, this guy's calling somebody on us," she said. "All we're doing is being harassed. ... We're not trying to do anything bad."

The small farming ordinance is still under discussion and is several weeks or even months away from going into effect. Tom Ciccarone, the township administrator, has said that it will likely not go into effect before this year's growing season is over.

Much of the Green Village area of Chatham Township was historically farmlands, though most have closed since the 1950s.

There is a bulletin board inside the Chatham train station where residents may place fliers or publicity items that fit on an 8.5 x 11 piece of paper.