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Off-Track Betting Parlor Is Done Deal
Opinions Mixed On Neighboring Facility; Berkeley Against Proposal; Dover In Support
By Jo Ann La Russo
TOMS RIVER - It looks like some Manchester residents may soon be living just over the border from an off-track betting facility.
Area senior citizens joined together at a Dover Planning Board meeting last Wednesday to oppose the multi-faceted off-track betting center, planned for the empty Grand Union supermarket at 1071 Route 37 west and Bananier Drive.
But their opposition was futile, as approval of the facility was
already a done deal.
Wednesday's meeting was a "courtesy review" of the project; the planning board has no power to reject or approve the statelevel project.
State law requires a hearing to be held within 45 days of the date when an OTB application is filed, in this case May 30. That meant the deadline for opposition by local governing bodies was midJuly. When the Dover Township Council took no action regarding the off-track betting application, in essence it amounted to backing the project's concept.
That didn't stop detractors from making their voices heard.
About 75 senior citizens from Holiday City and the surrounding area came to the meeting to voice their strong disapproval for the project. One planning board member, Jack Reuther, of Arizona Avenue, was so incensed over the fact that approval has been granted for the project that he chose to leave the dais and, "take a public position on this issue."
"Whoever is in favor of this project is giving more consideration to the horses of New Jersey than to the people of New Jersey," he stated.
Reuther said he is disturbed that the facility would have a liquor license because gambling and liquor make for a bad combination.
"Put the two activities together in the same location and you are inviting tragedy," he said.
The proposed 50,000-square-foot, 759-seat facility will feature a video wall, sports bar and restaurant, a betting area, and an event room. More than 100 private wagering terminals are planned, as well as a VIP area, and 430 LCD flat screen televisions located throughout the building. There will be a total of 330 parking spaces at the site.
The OTB facility would be operated by a partnership that includes Freehold Raceway Off-Track LLC and Freehold Raceway co-owners Greenwood Racing and Penn National Gaming Inc.
"Food, beverage and wagering," said Donald Codey, president of Freehold Raceway. "We are bringing the race track to the people," Codey told Planning Board members this week.
Codey said that the project would create construction jobs and when the facility was opened it would have, "a full restaurant, with a full menu and waiters and waitresses. The project will generate about 75 to 125 part time jobs," he said. There would be no admission to the facility, Codey stated.
There are 64 video surveillance cameras intended for the area.
Stephen Leone, attorney for both the applicant and the current owner of the shopping plaza, said the facility would be, "a recreational
facility that will serve the public."
The Dover Township Planning held a 'courtesy review' of the site-plan for the off track wagering facility planned by the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority. Leone said that his clients were under no obligation to change any part of the proposed plan, but would take suggestions under consideration concerning traffic and safety problems.
"There is no vote of approval needed for this project," Leone told Board members. The area is not located in a residential zone, but is zoned for Highway Business."
Berkeley Officials Lash Out
Berkeley Township Mayor Jason J. Varano and a contingent of his supporters attended the meeting to voice their displeasure over the project. They are vehemently against having the location of a wagering facility so close to the senior citizen developments that are in the township. The project is adjacent to Holiday City and Silver Ridge Park, and the nearest senior citizen residential home is about a block away.
Varano citied traffic problems that already exist in the area, and recommended to Planning Board members that an overall analysis and a general quality of life impact analysis "should be considered for a project like this. This project was jammed in," he said, "pushed down our throats."
Sal Mattia, Planning Board president, reminded Varano that, "it is too late. We are not reviewing a site plan for approval. This is just a courtesy review."
Berkeley councilmen that attended said that they are disgusted with the fact that the project is called a recreational facility. "Recreation means open space," they said, "walkways and gardens, not a betting parlor."
Berkeley Councilman Carmen Amato said that residents fear the sort of element that a gaming parlor will bring to town. Varano agreed.
"You won't have the horse owners here with their rich friends," said Varano. "What you will have will be the hardcore gamblers. That is not what we want for our residents."
But officials in Dover Township saw a brighter picture ahead for the facility.
Dover Officials Are In Favor
Dover Township officials say the project will not only bring in ratables, but will also provide entertainment for area visitors. "I support the project," said Township Councilman Michael Fiure. "It's a good ratable, and will bring in visitors to Dover Township that can benefit other township businesses."
"This won't just be a betting center," Fiure said. "It will be a restaurant and multi-faceted facility."
This week, Dover Township Councilwoman Maria Maruca said that she also fully supports the wagering facility.
"No one has called me to say anything against it," she said. "I get more phone calls from residents concerning cell towers and beach replenishment."
Residents agreed.
"We think that it's a good idea," said Ortley Beach resident, John and Jeanne Suarez. "It will be good for the township," echoed Jill and Ted Pomarico, who reside in Somerset, N.J., and have a summer home in Dover Township.
"The OTB will bring great revenues to the township," said residents Bob and Pat Scairpon.
Bill and Pat Kevish, Ortley Beach homeowners, agreed. "It's good business. We are in favor of it across the board. The location is good. Let residents spend their money here in Dover Township, not Atlantic City," said the couple.
The Dover Township OTB facility was called "The Favorites at Toms River" in architectural drawings that were displayed Wednesday. It is projected to generate $40 million in gross wagering revenue, or handle, each year. To say that that is an attractive ratable to come into Dover Township is an understatement, say insiders.
So, in the not too distant future, for dinner you could order a New York strip steak, baked potato, and side salad with Roquefort dressing. And for dessert? A $10 bet placed across the board on the horse, 'Harry's Dream' in the third race at Aqueduct.
This will be a possibility when the proposed OTB restaurant and bar comes to Dover Township.
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