Agricultural use will continue.
By John Tredrea
A 40-acre farm will stay a 40-acre farm now that Hopewell Township has decided to spend $400,000 to purchase the land’s development rights from the Faille family.
The full Township Committee voted unanimously Feb. 6 to adopt a bond ordinance under which the development rights can be purchased.
Under the ordinance, the land will be preserved as farmland. The Faille tract is off Van Dyke Road, north of county Route 518 in one of the most rural sections of the 58-square mile township.
Under the ordinance, the township will pay $400,000 for the development rights. It will be reimbursed half that amount from state government’s Agricultural Development Commission, township Committeewoman Marylou Ferrara said. She said the township should get the money in six to 10 months.
The Faille farm is being used to raise grass-fed beef cattle. That use is expected to continue after the purchase of development rights goes through.
"This goes to the heart of what we’re trying to do in the township," Committeewoman Jon Edwards said just before the adoption vote was cast.

