The Board of Island Managers of Burlington City

JURISDICTION
THE ISLAND IS MANAGED UNDER THE JURISDICTION OF THE BOARD OF ISLAND MANAGERS.

HISTORY:
KNOWN AS MATINICUNK BY THE NATIVE AMERICANS, BURLINGTON ISLAND WAS FOUNDED BY THE DUTCH WALLOONS IN l624. THE ISLAND WAS THE FIRST EUROPEAN SETTLEMENT IN NEW JERSEY. THE ISLAND CAME UNDER CONTROL OF THE CITY OF BURLINGTON IN 1682.
Robert Stacy, a City resident and a member of the legislature introduced a bill to make the Island's rents or monies derived from it's sale to be used for education of Youth in the City.

,THE STATE LEGISLATURE PASSED AN ACT TO INCORPORATE "THE
MANAGERS AND TREASURER FOR THE SCHOOL FUND FOR THE EDUCATION
OF THE YOUTH TN THE CITY OF BURLINGTON."

PURPOSE
TO MANAGE ASSETS HELD BY THE BOARD TO RAISE REVENUE FOR
CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM OF THE CITY OF

SPACE TO DATE
AREA OF LAKE 97 ACRES
AREA OF LAND 299 ACRES
TOTAL AREA 396 ACRES
APPROXIMATELY 20 MILES BY WATER FROM TRENTON.
APPROXIMATELY 14 MILES BY WATER FROM PHILADELPHIA.
ELEVATION VARIES FROM AN AVERAGE OF 14 FEET TO APPROXIMATELY 35 FEET.

DEVELOPMENT:
CONSERVATION (natural setting)
OPEN SPACE
RECREATION (water related and not found on the mainland)
REVENUE PRODUCING

Burlington Island had signed a pre-lease agreement with Entersport corp of Philadelphia, Pa. This option allows exclusive rights for Entersport to explore possibilities for Island development during a 12 month period. This option has been extended for another 6 month period. It is hoped that during this period Entersport will find the means of financing Burlington Island development.

Among the strong possibilities for the Island are: a golf course, convention center, a water park and picnic areas. Other possibilities include nature walks, biking areas, and a plethora of activities surrounding the 100 acre natural lake which is set in the middle of the Island.This lake was formed when Warner gravel company was taking gravel from the island in the 1950's/ City councilman Gillece had Counsel pass an ordinance that forbade anyone from taking land from the City, this rendered the island worthless to Warner so they agreed to turn it "back" to the City for $1.00. They also agreed to close on the cove it had created and thereby make a lake in the middle of the island.

This is the island board offical Web Site www.burlingtonisland.com

This is the city of Burlington's official website www.burlingtonnj.us

Update- October 14th, 2010

The  Board of Island Managerrs is now in a 3-3 voting situation.Mr. Thomas Scattergood resigned his position because he was given a judgeship.

The Board's attorney interpurted the Board's charter to say that the vice-president should become president in case of resignation of the current president although it is clearly stated that the senior member of the Bioard should assume this position. The attorney also stated that no vice-president could be elected until the Board's reorganization meeting in April.

It seems that the Board that adopted Robert's Rules sometimes follow them and sometimes follows what the Board calls "tradition", even though tat Robert's Rules say that if you adopt them, ALL the rules must be followed.

Mr. Sonnstien who was vice-president under the 4-3 voting pattern is as of now, "president"      As "president" t he has assumed all responsibilities and CREDIT for things that the Board as a whole has done.

The Army Corps of Engineers wants to use Burlington Island as a dumping spot for dredge brought up from the river. They wish to have the dredge dry out, be removed and tthen deposit  on the island further dredge effectively stopping the Island from development

Senator Diane Allen has spoken out against this procedure and hundreds of signatures have been gather from people opposed to the dumping.

 Burlingon City Counsel has authorized the City attorney to proceed to stop the dredging in court if necessary.

Since the Island plan's for development have been made public many groups have spoken about their concerns for the island.

Even though an archaeological study and a plant and animal survey were completed some time ago, groups are asking for additional studies.

The Board is finallizing a letter of intent with the Woolman corporation.

There ismuch activity going on at present. Attend an island Boaerd meeting. Bring your camera, the no sayers on the Board have been told that cameras must be allowed as long as they are not obtrusive.