Twp. and autism group partner to buy farmland
Council approves purchase of 26-acre farm tract
BY JAMIE ROMM Staff Writer

MIDDLETOWN — The Township Committee passed an ordinance last week that will give young adults with autism a place to live, work and form a community while adding to the township's open space.

On June 15, the Township Committee held a public hearing and final vote on the ordinance that would approve a joint acquisition by the township and Impact OASIS of a 26-acre farmland property on Sleepy Hollow Road, and Middletown resident Ian Smith gave his full support for the project.

"I am here to represent the autistic kids and adults in our community because many of them don't have a voice of their own," Smith said. "I want to thank Middletown for working so closely with OASIS on the purchase of the farm. It's a transition from school that so many people with autism need to achieve their full potential."

He said that the land would give people with autism a chance to give "real meaning to their lives."

"It will help them get the independence they want and deserve," Smith said. "It will offer an environment where they can work on becoming the best they can be with people who understand them. I am very proud of being a part of this community and the steps you took today will make the difference in helping lives."

Smith's comments were followed by a standing ovation, one of three ovations that were given on the night for the passing of the ordinance.

Impact OASIS President Mai Cleary said that the deal is not the township buying the land for Impact OASIS, but that they are putting their own money up for their land.

"It is important to realize that Impact OASIS is putting up a million dollars to make it a good deal for everybody," Cleary said. "Middletown is paying $1.55 million to purchase 26 acres of land and they have an obligation to preserve open space through the open space tax, so this is a really good deal for the township as well as us."

The overall amount of the agreement is $2.9 million, which is split, with the township paying $1.55 million, Impact OASIS $900,000, NY/NJ Baykeeper $250,000, and the Monmouth Conservation Foundation $200,000.

In the agreement with the township, Impact OASIS will have 9 of the 26 acres for its use.

Impact OASIS stands for Improving Middletown's Program for Autistic Children and "OASIS" stands for Ongoing Autistic Success in Society.

The group began when Cleary's son was 4 years old and in the Middletown school system. At the time there were four children with autism in the school and there was not a program for them.

Along with the other parents, she approached the school administrator at the time and asked for a program for the children so that they would not have to send their children out to other schools, which neighboring districts were operating.

"[The school administrator] did the right thing, which also fiscally was the right thing instead of spending more money to bus the kids out," Cleary said. "They did the right thing because the children, 4-year-olds, would have to go on a bus to Princeton. They also wouldn't know anyone in their town."

Cleary said that one of the hardest things for a child with autism is learning how to interact socially.

"What we try to teach the parents is that it is so hard for them to make friends," Cleary said. "It takes many years, and they do that in the school system in their many years in school. Then to become an adult and be sent away, it wouldn't work because they would have no support system."

She said that her son is currently in a vocational school, but when he comes home he goes to Middletown North just to see all of the youths he grew up with.

"This town has been so supportive and I'm really happy that coming out of the school system and working with the Township Committee we are seeing the same kind of support and the same kind of forward thinking that the school system had," Cleary said.

The Township Committee passed the ordinance by a 4-1 vote with Committeeman Patrick Short being the sole dissenter.

Committeeman Sean Byrnes said that he voted in favor of the ordinance because of the creative effort by Impact OASIS in securing the land.

"I don't think we should go out and respond to and finance every cause out there, but what made this significant for me was the effort by the group and the creativeness to put together different finances along with the fact that it is deserving of the space as well," Byrnes said.

"It was an effort that we could get behind because it would not only benefit those who would be participating but also Middletown."

Committeeman Anthony Fiore said that he was proud of how the project came together.

"It's going to be a great thing for Middletown in preserving open space as well as for the autistic young adults involved with Impact OASIS who will benefit from this program," Fiore said.

Deputy Mayor Gerard Scharfenberger said that the acquisition is a win-win situation.

"We have purchased a lot of open space in the years that I have been on the committee, and I am most proud of this deal, there are so many benefits for so many people," Scharfenberger said.

He said that this purchase is a good example of government working and working well.

"I'm so proud of the work of Impact and I am in awe of the parents' work with their children, and it really is a win-win situation for every resident of Middletown," Scharfenberger said. "We have a beautiful piece of property that we are paying a low property rate [for]. There won't be condos there, there won't be more kids in school and it's going to be a wonderful, wonderful facility."

Mayor Pamela Brightbill said that both groups had needs that made this deal come together.

"They had a need for the field and the farm and we had a want and a need for open space in town," Brightbill said. "It will be open space for all residents to use."

Patrick Short, who cast the lone no vote said that his opposition is based on timing, not a vote against the group and what they plan to do.

"My no vote stems from if we can afford this at this time," Short said. "It's difficult in this time of year with the economy the way it is."

The mission of Impact OASIS is to promote inclusion and acceptance of autistic individuals into their local communities by establishing environmentally exemplary farm centers that provide meaningful work, peaceful and healthful residences and community interaction

With the land, the group hopes to create a Transitional Residential/Adult Independent Learning (TRAIL) Center that will provide young adults with autism a unique experience parallel to their nondisabled peers once they graduate from high school.

As part of the purchase agreement, Impact OASIS will be given the farmhouse and residence quarters for use as part of the center.

The TRAIL Center will provide services to assist in the transition from the role of student to that of an adult.

According to the group's website, the TRAIL center will be open throughout the calendar year.

From September through May, six to eight individuals between the ages of 18 and 26 will reside at the facility, which will be very similar to that of a college dormitory.

T

here will also be the capacity to take

on six to eight day students. And the students will be able to go home on weekends and holidays, just like any college student.