Committee begins work to preserve 53-acre tract
By: Matt Kirdahy
The Township Committee is eyeing the acquisition of the 53-acre Fisher parcel sometime in 2003.
The committee introduced an ordinance Monday authorizing the township to purchase the property if negotiations with its owner are successful. The property is located on South Main Street, south of Old Trenton Road.
Township Attorney Trishka Waterbury said although negotiations can take place without an ordinance, actual acquisition of the property, either by negotiation or condemnation, requires approval by ordinance.
According to the ordinance, if "voluntary" negotiations are unsuccessful with the landowner, then the township is within its legal right to pursue condemnation action. It will allow the township to purchase the land for a price set by a judge as long as the land is used for a public purpose.
Township Administrator Fred Carr, said the property owner, Margaret Angelo of Bridgewater, has the right to appeal a court decision regarding the appraisal value of the land, which will prolong the negotiations.
A public hearing on the ordinance is scheduled for Feb. 24. If approved, the township will hire an appraiser to determine the value of the land and negotiations with the Ms. Angelo, will begin.
Mr. Carr said the parcel could be set aside for environmental protection or municipal use.
According to the ordinance, the property was recommended by the township Planning Board for acquisition in the revised Farmland and Open Space Element adopted on Dec. 7, 2000.
Mayor Pari Stave said the property is valuable for public recreation and conservation.
She said if the township were to acquire the property, it would contribute toward the creation of a continuous network of open spaces along streams and scenic areas in the township.
In January, the township Environmental Commission identified a number of important natural resources and sensitive areas on the property.
According to the ordinance, they include intermediate and exceptional freshwater, habitats for threatened or endangered species and critical wildlife habitats, such wetland forest edges.
Mr. Carr said the acquisition of the Fisher parcel is in the public interest and will further the goals of open land acquisition of the township set forth in the Master Plan.
According to the ordinance, the township will try to acquire the property through voluntary negotiations with the owner.
In 2001, the Cranbury Historical and Preservation Society hired consultant Shelly Mastran to examine the property and study its environmental significance to the township.
"The property is critical to retaining the sharp edge of the village and to connecting Cranbury’s existing residential communities to the system of open space," according to Ms. Mastran’s Cranbury Preservation Project. "The township should continue its longstanding effort to preserve Cranbury."

