Council moves forward with GPU purchase

An ordinance to authorize the purchase of the GPU property through eminent domain will be introduced at the Borough Council’s meeting Monday night.

By: Scott Morgan
   HIGHTSTOWN — The Borough Council is expected to introduce an ordinance at its Monday meeting authorizing the acquisition of the GPU property on Mercer Street through the right of eminent domain, according to a borough press release.
Borough Attorney Michael Pane has been authorized to pursue "friendly condemnation" proceedings to acquire the property, which has been appraised by Ronald A. Curini Appraisal Co. of Hamilton Square at $1,102,000.
   Friendly condemnation refers to a process by which the buyer and seller agree on a set price for a property.
   The ordinance introduction will come six weeks before the expected date of the Vincentsen Associates feasibility study results, which are due on Sept. 17. The study is examining the advantages and disadvantages of moving the Municipal Building to the GPU site or expanding the existing one on North Main Street.
   The reason the ordinance will be expedited, according to Mayor Amy Aughenbaugh, is due to pressure from GPU for the borough to show its interest in the Mercer Street property.
   Mayor Aughenbaugh said Mr. Pane received a call from GPU on July 11, informing him that unless the borough gave GPU an answer by the end of July, GPU would place the property on the open market.
   According to Mr. Pane, GPU is anxious to sell because it is involved in a consolidation and wants to shed excess property. Despite denials from GPU that the company applied any "undue pressure" on the borough, and despite Mr. Pane’s opinion that GPU’s actions were merely reasonable business tactics, Mayor Aughenbaugh said she would not be hurrying any official actions unless there was a threat of losing the property.
   "This doesn’t stem from us being ‘ready to buy,’" the mayor said of the borough’s introduction of the ordinance. "We’re doing this for GPU." According to Councilwoman Nancy Walker-Laudenberger, a vote on the introduction of the ordinance will take place Monday, but no public opinion session will be held until the following Borough Council meeting on Sept. 4. The public will have a second opportunity to speak at the Sept. 17 meeting after Vincentsen Associates reveals the results of the study.
   Ms. Walker-Laudenberger said no decisions will be made before the public portion of the Sept. 17 meeting. She said the borough would not be comfortable arriving at a decision, unless the council perceived an "overwhelming" sentiment on one side or the other.
   Ms. Walker-Laudenberger also said the Vincentsen study is intended to be informational, and will not suggest whether the municipal complex should be moved.
   Part of the study will assess what to do with the existing municipal complex. According to the borough press release, Vincentsen Associates will consider beneficial uses for the existing municipal site.
   Mayor Aughenbaugh said she has received some calls from developers who are interested in the current municipal site, should the borough move to Mercer Street, but said she did not know what other benefits Vincentsen Associates might discover.
   The borough also is considering the possibility of renting a portion of the space to GPU, or other tax-paying entities, should the move take place.
   So far, Ms. Walker-Laudenberger said, there have been no specific offers to share the GPU property with the borough. Speaking on behalf of the committee established by the borough to research the GPU acquisition, Ms. Walker-Laudenberger said the study, so far, suggests the move is the most favorable course of action.
   Bill Slack, a partner with Vincentsen Associates, seemed to concur.
   "At first blush, it looks as if the GPU site has more space (than the existing municipal complex)," Mr. Slack said. "That’s what they need."
   The building on the GPU site is approximately 18,000 square feet, according to Mr. Slack. Borough Clerk Candace Gallagher said the Municipal Building, including the Police Department, covers about 7,000 square feet. The vacant public works garage, which is still owned by the borough, covers approximately 7,300 square feet.
   Mr. Slack said Vincentsen Associates is still in its first phase of the feasibility study, meeting with borough officials to discuss the borough employees’ current and future needs. He said there are many factors to consider, including possible growth of the borough staff.
   Mr. Slack maintained the results of the study should be ready by the Sept. 17 council meeting.