Firefighters tour Wayne townhouses for safety
emergency planning drill includes 35 responders
By: Philip DeVencentis
NorthJersey.com
USA Today Network - New Jersey
WAYNE - Local firefighters got an early glimpse at new townhouses on Valley Rad as part of a guided tour that will help them to plan for emergencies.
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Fire Commissioner David Citer said the walk-through Saturday [03/08/2025] allowed the volunteers to familiarize themselves with the construction and layout of the 55 townhouses on the south side of Barbour Pond Road.
..... He said about 35 firefighters representing the three nearest fire companies - Pompton Falls Company 3 on Jackson Avenue, Preakness Company 4 on Ratzer Road and Packanack Lake Company 5 on Lake Drive West - participated in the three-hour tour.
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Such an exercise is routine for the first responders, Citer said Tuesday, [03/11/0225] this pass weekend because the fully sprinklered units will soon be occupied.
..... Ronald Ladell, the senior vice president of Virginia-based AvalonBay Communities Incorporated, which is redeveloping the 17-acre property. said work is "ahead of schedule" and that residents will start to move in by mid-spring. [2025]
..... The site was the former headquarters of Valley National Bank, which relocated to Speedwell Avenue in Morristown.
..... The project was disputed for years between the developer and township. It also feature 418 apartments, including 71 two- and three-bedroom units for low-income households, on the opposite side of the street.
..... That portion of the project stared later and Ladell said it will not be done until next year. [2026] however, he said, some units on that parcel may be ready to move in by the end of fall. [2025]
..... Prospective residents can go on a virtual tour and inquire about leasing through the AvalonBay Communities website at avalon-wayne.com .