Former Residential Property Preserved as Open Space

It's where the family picnics were. Where the kids would go sledding during the winter. And, it was the best place to watch Fourth of July fireworks.

But, when 20 Hillcrest Ave. eventually passed out of the Kleitman family–specifically, Milton and Bertha Kleitman–relatives were determined the two-acre property the couple had over the years stitched together through small open space purchases would be preserved in perpetuity, for all to enjoy.

That dream became reality Wednesday when the property was officially declared open space, which will eventually become a neighborhood park.

Members of the public and various dignitaries–including local government officials, environmental advocates, as well as members of the Kleitman family–were on hand for the event. Also in attendance was the official "Green Acres" sign, declaring that funding from the state Department of Environmental Protection program was used to acquire the property as open space. The property, which includes a dilapidated house, cost $350,000, . The house is expected to eventually be torn down.

"It's a great day for open space in Morristown," said Samantha Rothman, chair of the town's Environmental Commission. She noted it could have been easy for the Kleitman's over the years to have sold to a developer the land, which had at various times been eyed for both 10 and four-house developments.

Calling the Kleitman's "the embodiment of sustainability," Rothman told attendees how the couple walked everywhere, shopped locally and even raised a "Victory Garden" on the property during World War II.

Naomi Kleitman–a niece of Milton and Bertha, who died in 1982 and 1991, respectively–said the family always held an interest in preserving the property. She cited her uncle Daniel and his son Tobias, neither of which could attend the ceremony, for pushing the hardest to eventually get the property preserved.

Though, Naomi Kleitman noted, "our grandfather was the first to say we should try to keep it together."

It took time, however, as well as some additional prodding from outside the family.

Robert Parker, a Hillcrest Avenue resident since 1992, knew the property needed to be preserved the moment he first saw it. Over time, he also pushed to make development less and less feasible, including helping get it recognized for its environmental benefits such as its groundwater recharge capabilities for the entire area.

He said it was an all-Democratic council, under former Mayor Jay Delaney, a Republican, that finally got the property declared open space to be preserved. 

Mayor Tim Dougherty also noted during the ceremony the bi-partisanship that helped the project along when the Democrat asked everyone involved, from his party, Republicans and those not declared, to get together for a photo op. That included Parker, Green Acres Team Leader Lisa Stern, Highlands Council Director Gene Feyl and Deputy Director Margaret Nordstrom–both former Republican Freeholders–and Republican Assemblyman Anthony Bucco Jr., as well as Democratic Town Council President Michelle Dupree-Harris and Independent Councilmember Rebecca Feldman.

"We're on, we believe, the right track toward making Morristown a green, sustainable community," Dougherty said. "With not a lot of open space in town, this is a great acquisition." 

Naomi Kleitman said, for her family, selling the land was never going to be about turning a profit.

"It's a family legacy," she said. "I'm so glad it worked out this way. Seeing the land preserved is priceless."