Should Vernon acquire Camp Sussex?

VERNON — Camp Sussex is a collection of dilapidated and long-disused buildings on 215 acres of land with access to Lake Glenwood. It has been ravaged by vandals and many of the existing structures need to be demolished. It is not known how many can be refurbished.

On the bright side, the property could provide a gathering place for Vernon teens; if repaired, its gym and theater could be used by Vernon residents and another building could be made suitable for a community center.

That's what some have suggested — at a Board of Recreation meeting last year and most recently at a Vernon Township meeting, when Mayor Vic Marotta brought up the subject. He said he's asking the township's environmental committee to look over the property.

And, he wants the council to consider taking over ownership of the camp.

Potential recreation site According to Marotta the township has $495,000 in tax liens on the property. He is recommending the council consider taking ownership of the camp property and refurbish it for a passive group-type recreation area.

While the company holding the tax liens could foreclose on the property, Marotta understands it is not anxious to do that, preferring the camp — and its overdue bills — be acquired by the township.

“I ask the council to consider this proposal seriously,” said Marotta. He recommended the subject be discussed during a council work session but not everyone was on board.

“I am concerned about it raising taxes,” said Council President Brian Lynch, who also suggested that Vernon's township administrator and its attorney attend that meeting.

No date has been set for that work session.

A storied past The camp was once a haven for underprivileged youngsters from New York City. Today it's mostly hidden from view, off of County Route 565, but its kitchen, bunkhouses, baseball fields, tennis and basketball courts, an infirmary, a cavernous recreation building, a large theater with elevated stage, an arts and crafts building, a boathouse and swimming lane floats are sometimes found by intruders and they are all in need of attention or demolition.

The camp has been severely vandalized. A real estate broker who has been trying for some time to help its owners sell the property was asking about $2 million last summer.

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