Local open space preservation group announces land buys

Vales and Albahary properties involved.

   The Friends of Hopewell Valley Open Space, Inc. (FoHVOS) have — with the help of others — made land purchases that will result in the preservation of the acreage involved as open space.
   Hopewell Township and FoHVOS recently purchased 6 acres of woodlands on Route 31 from Joseph Vales for $299,784.24.
   The acquisition was a bargain sale, according to FoHVOS, in which Mr. Vales sold the property for conservation purposes for less than its appraised value.
   This latest addition to Hopewell Valley’s preserved open space is at the foot of Pennington Mountain near Marshall’s Corner. "By preventing further development along Route 31, the purchase will help to protect a headwater tributary of the Stony Brook that flows through the property," FoHVOS reported. The acquisition complements two open space acquisitions completed in 2001 in the Marshall’s Corner area.
   Hopewell Township used dedicated open space tax funds to purchase the property from Mr. Vales. FoHVOS negotiated the transaction and completed the reports, inspections, and surveys necessary for closing. It is anticipated that over 60 percent of the cost of the project, already made relatively affordable by the landowner’s donation, will be recovered from State Green Acres funds available to the township and FoHVOS, a group spokesman said.
   Former mayor, Jon Edwards, who facilitated this acquisition during his tenure as mayor said: "This acquisition fits neatly with the look and feel we are envisioning for Route 31. In the future it will serve to tie important open space properties together in the Valley."
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   FoHVOS — with the help of grants from the New Jersey Green Acres Program, Hopewell Township, and Mercer County — also recently purchased three small parcels totaling seven acres for $136,500 from Robert and Mary Albahary.
   These properties contribute to the creation of a greenbelt around Hopewell Borough. This acquisition also was a bargain sale in which the owners sold their parcels for conservation purposes for less than appraised value.
   This addition to Hopewell Valley’s preserved open space is located in the Ralston Heights development, north of Hopewell. The three lots border a paper (not constructed) street, Midland Avenue, and connect to the public access corridor on the Ruggieri farm. "The goal of creating a greenbelt surrounding Hopewell has been a long-standing one for the Friends, and this acquisition continues the progress toward that goal," said Ted Stiles, FoHVOS president.
   Hopewell Township used dedicated open space tax funds to provide a grant that aided with the purchase, and Mercer County provided additional funds from the county’s Non-profit Assistance Program. The balance of funds came from a grant from the State Green Acres Program to FoHVOS, which negotiated the transaction and completed the reports, inspections, and surveys necessary for closing. Mr. and Mrs. Albahary made a donation of 25 percent of the value of the parcels to help match public funding.
   Dr. Stiles said: "The Albahary project illustrates how partnerships among state, county, township, nonprofits, and property owners can help save the beautiful landscape of Hopewell Valley."
   FoHVOS is a private, not-for-profit, volunteer organization whose mission is to protect important areas of open space in the Hopewell Valley. Since 1987 the group has helped to conserve approximately 50 properties totaling more than 3,500 acres in partnership with state, county, and municipal government, other land trusts, and private landowners.