Woman's Club to pay up

By Philip Sean Curran, Staff Writer

The Woman’s Club of Maplewood is required to make its annual financial payment to the town this month, even as the sale of the club’s property is held up by a lawsuit.

Based on a 2010 agreement between the township and the all-volunteer organization, the nonprofit was supposed to pay $8,500 by Feb. 1.

The township, however, has given the club until the end of this week.

“The agreement is the agreement,” Mayor Vic De Luca said.

In 2010, the club was sued when the township challenged the tax-exempt status of its clubhouse on Woodland Road.

To end the suit, the club agreed to pay $55,000 in incremental amounts throughout five years, starting in 2011. The first payment was for $6,000.

Club President Jo Ann Aponte did not return messages seeking comment.

The Woman’s Club reached a deal last year with Lamona LLC, owned by Maplewood resident Tom Kerns, to sell the 1.4-acre property for $1.4 million.

Kerns, who also could not be reached for comment, wants to renovate the 1930 building with the intention of operating a catering hall, which has angered neighbors.

Last year, eight residents who live near the property sued, seeking to overturn the approvals the Maplewood Zoning Board of Adjustment gave Lamona in July.

The suit, filed in the state Superior Court, is slowly making its way through the legal system.

An outcome is not expected soon, and no hearing date is currently scheduled.

“It’s going to be a while,” Michael Edelson, the attorney for the zoning board, said.

Peter Wolfson, the attorney for the residents, did not return a phone call seeking comment.

Philip Sean Curran can be reached at 908-686-7700, ext. 116, or at newsrecord@thelocalsource.com.