TOWNSHIP'S POST OFFICE LEGAL DEFENSE BILL TOPS $27,000, SO FAR

The legal bills for the Township in its defense of the former Maplewood Village Post Office project have topped $27,000, according to Township Attorney Roger Desiderio. 

And more is likely to be added to that.

Asked by Township Committee member Jerry Ryan to update the TC on the legal bills at Tuesday night's meeting, Desiderio said a total of $27,383.50 had been billed from three attorneys related to the project.

Most recently, Village Keepers. Inc. appealed approval of the project by the Maplewood Village Alliance, setting up a lengthy appeals process by the Planning Board.

Desiderio said he did not know how much higher the legal costs would go, but said, "I wouldn't be surprised if another $4,000 to $5,000" was needed before it is over, adding, "I can't tell you how much more."

The project is a three-story, 20-unit, five-retail store complex slated for the former post office site. The Planning Board is set to continue its review of the site plan on Sept. 29.