3 апр. 2026 г.
Thank you for reaching out.
The petition was initiated by an eighth-grade student at David E. Owens Middle School here in New Milford. She contacted me last evening to ensure I was aware of it and to share her motivation. One of her classmates’ family owns a restaurant in the shopping center, and she was concerned about their livelihood if the property were to be redeveloped. I was genuinely moved by her compassion for her fellow students and civic awareness, and I commended her for her advocacy of our community and willingness to make her voice heard.
Due to the Borough’s current and potential involvement in litigation with the Brunetti Organization, I am unable to comment specifically on the proposed redevelopment of the Brookchester Shopping Center currently.
However, I can affirm that the governing body, along with our residents, remains opposed to overdevelopment that places undue strain on our infrastructure, school district, and emergency services, while significantly altering the character of our community.
The governing body has worked diligently to ensure that New Milford has met its state mandated obligations under Rounds 1 through 3, thereby limiting exposure to “builder’s remedy” lawsuits.
Round 4 began in 2025 and will continue through 2035. Today, New Milford’s state-mandated affordable housing obligation is 368 units. This consists of 258 affordable units of unmet need from Round 3 and an additional 110 affordable units allocated for Round 4.
While we have complied with the law, we have also consistently voiced our concerns with both the statutory framework and the formulas used to determine these obligations. We have supported legislative efforts, defended our Housing Element and Fair Share Plan (HEFSP), challenged the Affordable Housing Dispute and Resolution Program, the Fair Share Housing Center, and participated in independent and joint legal actions to seek relief. Although those efforts have resulted in setbacks at both the state and federal levels, we will continue to pursue all available avenues to protect the residents of New Milford.
For additional information regarding New Milford’s affordable housing obligations please visit:
https://www.newmilfordnj.gov/page/affordable-housing
Thank you.
Michael J. Putrino
Mayor
Borough of New Milford, NJ
The petition was initiated by an eighth-grade student at David E. Owens Middle School here in New Milford. She contacted me last evening to ensure I was aware of it and to share her motivation. One of her classmates’ family owns a restaurant in the shopping center, and she was concerned about their livelihood if the property were to be redeveloped. I was genuinely moved by her compassion for her fellow students and civic awareness, and I commended her for her advocacy of our community and willingness to make her voice heard.
Due to the Borough’s current and potential involvement in litigation with the Brunetti Organization, I am unable to comment specifically on the proposed redevelopment of the Brookchester Shopping Center currently.
However, I can affirm that the governing body, along with our residents, remains opposed to overdevelopment that places undue strain on our infrastructure, school district, and emergency services, while significantly altering the character of our community.
The governing body has worked diligently to ensure that New Milford has met its state mandated obligations under Rounds 1 through 3, thereby limiting exposure to “builder’s remedy” lawsuits.
Round 4 began in 2025 and will continue through 2035. Today, New Milford’s state-mandated affordable housing obligation is 368 units. This consists of 258 affordable units of unmet need from Round 3 and an additional 110 affordable units allocated for Round 4.
While we have complied with the law, we have also consistently voiced our concerns with both the statutory framework and the formulas used to determine these obligations. We have supported legislative efforts, defended our Housing Element and Fair Share Plan (HEFSP), challenged the Affordable Housing Dispute and Resolution Program, the Fair Share Housing Center, and participated in independent and joint legal actions to seek relief. Although those efforts have resulted in setbacks at both the state and federal levels, we will continue to pursue all available avenues to protect the residents of New Milford.
For additional information regarding New Milford’s affordable housing obligations please visit:
https://www.newmilfordnj.gov/page/affordable-housing
Thank you.
Michael J. Putrino
Mayor
Borough of New Milford, NJ
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