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View Full Version : Inboard Boat races may be returning to West Milford's Greenwood Lake



Serious News
02-03-2014, 09:56 PM
Friday January 31, 2014, 12:01 PM

BY ANN GENADER, CORRESPONDENT

With state of New Jersey approval still needed, the Greenwood Boat Power Boat Association (GBPBA) hopes to bring the popular power boat races back to Brown’s Point, Greenwood Lake this spring. Brown’s Point is state-owned property so that approval is imperative for the event to happen. Jay Hardy, representing Greenwood Lake Power Boat Association, tells the Township of West Milford Council of tentative plans to bring power boat racing back to Greenwood Lake on June 7 and 8.

The race is already listed on the American Power Boat website as one of the year’s tentative scheduled events.

Jay Hardy, of the Awosting neighborhood in West Milford, is the new Greenwood Lake Power Boat Association head.

He addressed the Township of West Milford at their Jan. 22 regular meeting. Hardy said that unlike last year there are no other organizations interested in holding the race on the lake and there will be no repeat of the kind of fighting that went on then.

Community Services and Recreation Director Jayme Mulhern informed the council that the GBPBA has filled out the appropriate paperwork for internal permits and a town-wide permit. A report from Mulhern said GBPBA is providing her with a hold harmless document and certificate of insurance naming the township and state as additionally insured. In the report to the council Mulhern said the GBPBA has the necessary paperwork for an alcohol permit from the township clerk’s office. She said Hardy has also discussed providing parking with Robert Coyman - who owns vacant acreage on Route 511 (Greenwood Lake Turnpike) across from Brown’s Point.

In moving the application forward to the state, the council was acting on the recommendation of Mulhern.

During the council meeting governing board members were enthusiastic to see a proposal that indicated that the boat races would be returning to the lake. Councilwoman Ada Erik said the township has been working a long time to bring back the once popular tourist event. The race was last held in 2011 after being dark for a dozen or so years. Prior to that time racing on the APBA Greenwood Lake circuit was an annual season highlight. As many as 10,000 people attended the nationally televised event back in the day.

"There were some leadership issues and some personal issues that kind of went too far last year," Hardy told the council. "But - that’s all behind us now."

Hardy said proceeds from the APBA-approved event will probably be presented to the Greenwood Forest Volunteer Company for supplies and training. He told the council that the spring national race date on the lake was moved up from May when it usually had been held. This is to avoid any problems with any remaining winter weather lake weeds, explained Hardy.

http://www.northjersey.com/news/242701361_Boat_races_may_be_returning_to_Greenwood_Lake.html