The Township Committee has agreed to consider a proposal to buy land on Connaught Hill.
By: Cynthia Williamson
WEST AMWELL The Township Committee has agreed to explore a proposal to purchase land on Connaught Hill to build a community park.
Representatives of the Connaught Homeowners Association asked the committee at its Oct. 17 meeting to consider acquiring a trio of parcels situated near the corner of Allen and Hancock streets.
Lambertville officials already have begun taking steps to obtain ownership of three parcels contiguous with the township properties in what Connaught Hill residents are hoping will result in a joint project between the municipalities.
West Amwell Mayor Gary Bleacher and Lambertville Mayor David Del Vecchio have been working with the residents for more than a year to improve the remote hillside neighborhood of about 70 houses that straddles both borders.
And while township officials said they are in favor of working jointly with its neighbor to create a park, Committeeman Peter Buchsbaum said, "We need to see what’s involved with it, too."
"I think we can all agree it’s worth looking into," he said.
While Lambertville is proposing to use its share of the county’s open space tax and other funds to purchase the three parcels fronting Hancock Street, West Amwell officials said they may seek Green Acres funding.
West Amwell Municipal Clerk Betty Jane Hunt noted the township might improve its chances of obtaining a Green Acres grant if it filed an application jointly with Lambertville.
Township Committeewoman Nance Palladino suggested Ms. Hunt "dash a letter off" to Lambertville to determine if there is interest.
But first, the township must sort out a myriad of land ownership issues that could cloud its ability to acquire the properties.
It is unclear who owns two of the three parcels, though Jesse Mason of Lambertville and another individual whose name was not immediately available have been paying taxes on two of the parcels. The third parcel is owned by Myrtle Goccia.
Lambertville also has been confronted with similar issues but created a redevelopment zone on Connaught Hill that would allow it to condemn, sell and redevelop properties with no clear titles.
Representatives of the association said the location for a community park is "ideal" because it is "centrally located" and surrounded by "people that would be watchdogs," said member Audrey Frankowski, a Lambertville resident.
Under the homeowners’ vision for a community park, the current "eyesore" would be transformed into a "green haven" with proposals for picnic tables, benches, playground equipment, horseshoe pits and half-court basketball.
West Amwell resident Karen Rissmiller said she was encouraged by what township officials had to say, adding Mr. Bleacher has attended all their meetings and demonstrated he is committed to improving the neighborhood.
"The cleanup of our neighborhood was accomplished only because many people from the Lambertville and West Amwell communities volunteered their time and energy," stated a letter signed by representatives of the homeowners association to township officials. "We worked together and did a great job, one that we are very proud of."
Meanwhile, residents have organized several cleanups, enlisting the Boy Scouts and other volunteer groups to cart away a mountain of debris and more than 2,000 tires.
Lambertville also adopted an abandoned vehicle ordinance last year that gives the zoning officer the authority to remove unregistered vehicles.
Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity is building a house on the corner of Allen and Belvidere streets in Lambertville. West Amwell and Lambertville officials also are working on a joint drainage project.
In related business, the committee voted 3-0 to adopt an ordinance that would give the construction code official, Bill White, the legal teeth to demand "repair, closing or demolition" of unfit or unsafe structures.
In personnel action, the committee unanimously accepted the resignation of Linda Dellavalle, construction secretary, who has been with the township "on and off" for about five or six years, Mrs. Hunt said.
The township will be hiring a replacement but the position is being restructured, and details about the vacancy were not yet available, Mrs. Hunt said. Anyone interested in applying for the position should inquire at the municipal building, 150 Rocktown-Lambertville Road.
The committee hired Glenn Smyth of Lambertville to be the fire official. He replaces Michael Abrams and will earn $15.60 per hour.
In other news, the county Board of Freeholders has approved reducing the speed limit on county Route 579 through West Amwell from 50 miles per hour to 45 miles per hour.
Residents living along the three-mile stretch of road between routes 31 and 518 have complained to officials for months about speeding on the two-lane road.

