'Three Years of Hell' Are Over Thanks to Hoop Removal, Resident Says

Springfield resident Sue Bonkowski told the Township Committee Tuesday evening that things "have never been better" since one basketball hoop came down at Charles Cohn Memorial Park.

After stating that she endured "three years of hell" before the hoop came down, the Baltusrol Avenue resident asked if there were any way for the committee to make it a matter of permanent record that the "basketball court can remain that way forever." 

Mayor David Amlen said the decision to remove the hoop came after carefully weighing the need for recreation with that of public safety. 

Bonkowski, who, in August of 2012, stated that she was physically forced off the court, said she lives in fear of the hoop returning. 

Township attorney Neil Dworkin said it "would be difficult" to make it permanent as it would be at the discretion of each governing body.

Township Administrator Anthony Cancro told Patch in August that the township has no plans to return the hoops that were removed.