After demonstration by residents, council OKs spending $6.2M
By sue m. morgan
Staff Writer
Despite some concerns about what the final cost will actually be, Old Bridge has agreed to spend up to $6.2 million to purchase the 200-acre Cedar Ridge II property in order to preserve it as open space.
At its agenda meeting Tuesday night, the seven council members present, along with Mayor Barbara Cannon, authorized Township Attorney William Ruggierio to deposit the funds with the state Superior Court and to proceed with condemnation proceedings. The land is now owned by developer Marvin Schmeltzer, who has proposed building a 139 single-family-home development known as Woodland Trails on the land, which is located between Morganville and Ticetown Roads.
The actual value of the land has been a sticking point in the negotiations. The township estimates that the land is worth $6 million, based upon two appraisals obtained over a year ago. However, Schmeltzer has said that his land is worth $14 million.
At the meeting, Ruggierio stated that the township is currently seeking a third appraisal for the acreage, as legally required for condemnation hearings. All the appraisals would be reviewed by a three-member panel of real estate professionals, who would determine the final value of the property, he said.
If either the township or Schmeltzer disagrees with the panel’s decision, the case could go to a trial by jury, Ruggierio said.
"You can never tell what a jury will do," Ruggierio told the council.
The council’s decision to purchase the property elicited applause from approximately 20 sign-carrying residents of the area near Cedar Ridge II. Those residents stated that they had come to the meeting to express support for the land purchase. Prior to the meeting, they had demonstrated in front of the municipal building to show their opposition to any residential development of the tract.
Susan Blumig, a Morganville Road resident and one of the demonstration’s organizers, said that the residents had come together because of rumors that negotiations to purchase the property were at a standstill. In addition, the residents also wanted to know how much money the council was negotiating to pay for the purchase.
"I’ve been fighting for this property for 19 years," said Blumig, who is also a member of the township’s Open Space Committee.
"I’ll believe that it [the land] is out of danger when I see the deed in the mayor’s hand," she added.
Blumig pointed out that it is important the township purchase the land in order to prevent the building of new homes, which would ultimately drain municipal services and overcrowd the public schools.
"We’re looking for confirmation that they are going to move forward with it," she said.
The council has been negotiating to condemn and purchase the property since last year. However, Ruggierio stated he wanted to use the meeting as a final opportunity to allow council members to publicly express support for, or opposition to, moving forward with the purchase.
"If you want to say ‘no,’ now is the time to do it," Ruggierio said.
Ward 2 Councilman William Baker, whose constituency includes Cedar Ridge II, led the charge.
"Let’s just purchase it and move forward," said Baker to thunderous applause.
Each council member present and the mayor expressed support for the purchase. However, three members cautioned that the final price might actually end up costing more than $6.2 million once final appraisals are determined.
"We could end up spending a lot of our tax dollars on this," said Ward 5 Councilman Richard Greene. "When all is said and done, we hope it works out for the township."
"We have to be aware that this property may escalate in price," said Ward 4 Councilman G. Kevin Calogera. "[But] when it is built out, we will never have it as open space again. I’m in favor of going ahead with it."
"It might be expensive right now," said Ward 6 Councilwoman Lucille Panos. "[But] three generations down the road, it will be a wise investment."
Cannon also expressed concerns about what the final cost would be, but added that the preservation of the land as open space is a priority.
"If the property is necessary to the community, then I support [buying] it," she said.
The council voted 7-1 to approve $1 million for purchasing the property Nov. 26, increasing the total available to spend on it to $6.2 million. Of the rest, Middlesex County had previously provided $2 million toward the purchase of the property, and the township had received $3.5 million in Green Acres grants to help it acquire the land.
The state has also agreed to contribute more funding if the final cost exceeds $6.2 million, Cannon said. The township may also be eligible for a low-interest loan from the state Department of Environmental Protection if the purchase price turns out to be more than the $6.2 million following the appraisal review, she said.