Disappointed at what future holds for Route 537 farm

I am writing in protest of the proposed development of the Clayton farm on Route 537 between Gravel Hill and Thompson Grove roads, Freehold Town-ship, where the developer, Toll Brothers, plans to build 36-plus homes.

First, I must say how totally, absolutely and thoroughly disgusted I am after learning about this development.

The main function of any political organization is to serve in the public’s best interest. I feel that our mayors, governing bodies and planning boards are not serving in the public’s best interest. Their main responsibility is to increase the quality of life for every citizen.

Allowing rampant unchecked overdevelopment of our precious last remnants of open space is horrific. This overdevelopment leads to more people, cars, traffic signals, traffic jams and increased taxes. We are already close to a gridlock situation. It once took several minutes to transverse town, but now can take up to 20 minutes.

It’s not rocket science here; these things all lead to frustration, anger, unsightly landscapes and a measurable decrease in the quality of life in our towns. All you have to do is listen to people talk and hear their dissatisfaction on the overdevelopment, loss of space and growing traffic problems.

In addition, preserving land does not mean saving two large areas where 90 percent of the population doesn’t go and doesn’t even know where they are. Open space should be pockets of farmed fields or just open space (not soccer fields) spread throughout town among the housing developments to provide a tranquil rural setting.

There are several recent examples of poor planning and loss of space. One is the new development across from Raintree (on Wemrock Road) in Freehold Township. Why was this allowed to happen? Why was there no stipulation set on the developer to at least put in landscaping berms? Now all must see every known type of stockade fence go up in different sizes and colors. The same goes for the developments on Iron Bridge and Elton-Adelphia roads.

Another example is the new shopping center next to the Raintree shopping center. Do we really need another shopping center and the increase in traffic?

And now the premise of this letter and the most disappointing of them all. The desecration of one of the last remaining working farms on Route 537.

According to a township report written in 1998, this piece of land was quoted as being reminiscent "of the pristine farms of the Amish about 100 miles to the west." This report also calls the farmstead "a significant element of the rapidly disappearing agriculture landscape on the southern periphery of the township."

I could not have said it better, but yet our elected officials are blind to this vision. Why? I am also calling for the immediate resignation of any public official who opposes a more aggressive plan to preserve our farmsteads and open spaces.

I am also calling for all elected officials to step up to the plate and listen to the people for once and the real issues in our towns. I think we need to "clean house." Many town officials are getting too comfortable and complacent in their positions. More must be done now. Once this space is gone it will be gone forever.

Christopher J. Kean

Freehold Township