School Board, Township Find 'Glitch' in Wrestling Proposal

While reviewing a proposal from the Watchung Hills Wrestling Association to construct a facility for youth wrestling programs, officials discovered ownership of the land the facility is proposed for has reverted to township control.

According to Township Administrator Mark Krane, a clause in the agreement transferring ownership of the land from the township to the Warren Township School District reverted ownership to the township in 2003. The clause, known as the "reverter clause," was intended to prevent the land from being used for non-educational or school-related purposes.

However, Krane said the last agreement signed between the township and the district was a 10-year agreement, signed in 1993, at a time the Woodland School was not in use as a school, but only for district offices.

"The township will be working with the district to resolve it," he said.

There's little doubt the district will regain control of the land—it's the site of Woodland School and the district's buildings and grounds and transportation offices.

But Krane said the Township Committee will likely discuss the plan to put a 5,000-square foot pole barn structure on an acre of the land for the youth wrestling programs.

The board has already expressed its willingness to work with the WHWA, including seeking state permission for an extended lease agreement with the association to enable the group to raise the money needed for the project.