By :hctv

Emotions heated up at a public meeting in North Bergen High School on Wednesday night over the future of the township’s preschool. For over a decade, students have attended class in trailers located along the outside of Bruins Stadium inside James J. Braddock North Hudson Park.

The location was initially intended to be temporary while a new facility at the Lincoln School was built. However after construction delays and increased enrollment, officials decided to use that building as a kindergarten center.

Since 2011, they’ve been searching for a new spot. Now they have proposed acquiring the 1.1-acre space in the park and putting up a building where the trailers are located. North Bergen Mayor Nicholas Sacco says other locations were considered but the cost would be too high.

Part of the proposal would include a promise to turn nearly 3.4 acres of land in parts of North Bergen and Hoboken into additional open space, with recreational opportunities included at two locations.

The proposal is angering many residents who fear this is the beginning of a land grab that will destroy Braddock Park.

With last night’s meeting behind them, North Bergen officials are now awaiting final approval from the state.