Vote Delayed as Controversial Footpath Spurs Heated Debate

A contentious debate over a Chatham Township footpath will continue for at least a few more weeks.

Under the advisement of retired municipal attorney Carl Woodward, the Chatham Township Committee on Thursday night tabled a controversial vote to vacate an easement between Pine Street and Linden Lane.

Woodward said he needed more time to give the governing body a proper recommendation and told them to consider the residents' feedback given Thursday night, according to NJ.com.

The two-hour public hearing included several contentious moments. Most notably, Committee Member Bailey Brower Jr., who had to recuse himself from voting because he's a member of the Linden Lane Homeowners Association, accused fellow Committee Member Kathy Abbott of "fomenting" the issue with Rolling Hill Drive resident Sarah Fechtner, according to the Chatham Courier.

Fechtner has hired an attorney in her fight to keep the pathway open to the public.

The township acquired the 700-foot long and 8-foot wide easement in 1957 to be used as a public walking path.

The footpath hasn't been used and The Safe Routes to School Committee requested it be re-opened for students in the neighborhood to more easily walk to the middle and high schools as well as Cougar Field on Shunpike Road.

However, after a majority of Linden Lane residents opposed opening the walkway to the public at a meeting last October.

The committee has since considered turning the land over to the adjacent homeowners, but will now wait until the April 24 meeting to cast their vote.