In 1988, the Borough of Ringwood entered into a lease agreement with radio station owner Steven Wendell for three 297-foot radio towers, proposed for a Borough-owned site in the Upper Ringwood neighborhood. Although the Borough Council had several opportunities, over the years, to terminate this controversial agreement, it was allowed to stand. In June, 1996, the Borough even agreed to pay Wendell to drop his SLAPP suit against former Borough Historian Bert Prol, who opposes the towers (the Borough removed Prol as Historian in January because of his opposition). The Borough also dropped its suit against Wendell for the back rent he owed for the site.

But on November 18, 1996, a majority of members of the Ringwood Board of Adjustment did the right thing and voted down Wendell's amended site plan application. Upper Ringwood residents had strongly objected to the towers during the 1996 meeting.

Then in January, 1998, the Board ruled that Wendell no longer had legal standing on the site because his lease had been terminated by the Borough due to non-payment of rent required under the lease. Wendell appealed, but in March, 1998, a Superior Court judge upheld the Board's action. We hope this puts an end to this threat to the Upper Ringwood neighborhood.