Efforts To 'Save' Chatham's Noe Pond Gain Steam, March Set

CHATHAM, NJ — Noe Pond's history extends back before the Revolutionary War. For decades, the pond has been a favorite swimming hole in Chatham Township. But the events of the past few months have some residents worried that Noe Pond will turn unrecognizable.

Kim and Chuck Barton — owners of the Noe Pond Club — announced in September they would sell the pond property. The club faced challenges, but financial uncertainties associated with the coronavirus became the tipping point. That's what the Barton's told members Dec. 21, when they announced the sale finalized and the club would end.

Last fall, when members first found out about the potential sale, local residents formed Save Noe Pond. The grassroots effort was designed to prevent potential high-density developments in the area. The group will hold a "March for Noe Pond" at 11 a.m. Saturday.

Supporters of Save Noe Pond aren't certain what the area's future holds. But they're ready to fight against any construction that may disturb the natural environment, according to Save Noe Pond spokesperson Rich Rein.

Centuries of History

The pond sits on a 35-acre site that borders the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge. Wetlands comprise much of the site, but the pond is the defining feature.

Noe Pond was originally part of an 800-acre tract of land, which a dairy farm and rose business occupied. The pond provided water for both and became a place to swim and ice skate.

The Noe Pond Club began in 1955 as a swimming and recreation club for local families. Taz and Bailey Brower founded the club to turn the "swimming hole" and ice pond into a place for families to spend time.

But in September, members felt shocked when ownership announced they would sell the property to a real estate developer. Even as the community saw it coming, the Barton's December announcement that they finalized the deal felt like another blow, Rein said.

"I think people maybe held out hope that there was some chance that something might fall through for whatever reason," Rein told Patch. "At least that was a possibility. But I think everybody’s base assumption was that the sale was going to go through, the club was going to be closed. And it’s all happened now."

The Barton's announced in December that they entered a contract with an unnamed buyer, later identified as the Silverman Group. It's not immediately clear what the group plans to do with the property, and they must present any plans to township officials.

The Barton's told members in Dec. 21's letter that they don't have knowledge of the property's future use.

"As is customary with commercial real estate transactions, we were not at liberty to discuss the terms and conditions of our agreement and could not engage in any discussions regarding details concerning the Club or the land as we were under contract," they said. "We appreciate the 'Save Noe Pond' endeavor but regret that the timing of the grassroots effort was too late and uncertain."

Some questioned why ownership didn't give members a chance to buy the land, the Barton's said.

"That avenue was explored most recently in 2016 and 2017, and each time without a meaningful response," they wrote. "Furthermore, publicly offering the land purchase opportunity at market price in the spring amidst the onset and uncertainties surrounding the COVID pandemic did not seem plausible."

Ideally, many Save Noe Pond members would like to see the pond maintained for recreational use, Rein says. The Noe Pond Club's founders have also expressed a similar sentiment.

Bailey and Taz Brower wrote a public comment read during Thursday's Chatham Township Committee meeting. They also said they would even help financially if the Save Noe Pond Group or the township can acquire the land.

"Taz and I would like to see the Noe Pond Club continue as a public or recreational facility," their comment read.

Save Noe Pond also worries about the surrounding environment. But in December, the group formed a partnership with the Great Swamp Watershed Association — a nonprofit dedicated to protecting water and natural areas.

“Noe Pond has been a part of Chatham’s history and culture since the American Revolution,” said Sally Rubin, the Great Swamp Watershed Association's executive director. “GSWA will advocate to protect Noe Pond from potential excessive development that could have detrimental effects on the substantial wetlands on the property and the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge.”

Rein says people can help by getting involved in township discussions regarding development. The pandemic limits some of Save Noe Pond's options for advocacy, but that's part of why they're leading Saturday's walk.

"Given the current restrictions on activities due to COVID-19, there’s really not a whole lot that can be done on a group level," he said. "So that’s why this is basically a walk where people ... (can) show their support in a safe, socially distant fashion."

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