Freeholders will share $5M cost of preserving 83-acre property

Bordentown Township parcel had been targeted for 76 new houses.

By: Eve Collins
   BORDENTOWN TOWNSHIP — The Burlington County Board of Chosen Freeholders agreed to share the $5 million cost of preservation of the property at Bordentown-Chesterfield and Hogback roads in the township.
   The 83-acre parcel had originally been targeted for 76 new houses, officials said. Property owner Stephen Samost instead decided to sell the property to the township, which is now evaluating it for recreational uses.
   With the addition of 76 new houses, the township would have experienced infrastructure issues, including stress on the school system, officials said.
   "It’s been a busy week," said Mayor George Chidley after the governing body’s meeting Monday to discuss open space in the township. The acquisition is being funded by a $2.5 million Green Acres grant. The remainder of the cost will be shared equally by the county and township, county officials said.
   "Bordentown Township has demonstrated a solid commitment to preserving local open space in recent months and freeholders are proud to partner with them in this latest acquisition," Freeholder William Haines said in a prepared statement.
   The acquisition also will protect about 20 acres of wetlands, he said.
   Continuing with its preservation theme, the township also bought an 81.5-acre tract two weeks ago. The property was once slated for the 127-house Federal Estates development.
   The parcel, located on Georgetown Road near the Clifton Mills development, cost $3.9 million. The township will be partially reimbursed, receiving 50 percent of the cost from the Green Acres program and 25 percent from the county, township officials said.
   The land will be preserved as a corridor between Clifton Mills and the New Jersey Turnpike, township officials have said.
   The Township Committee on Monday approved another application to the state Green Acres program for just over $700,000.
   These funds will be used for projects in Northern Community Park in the township, Mayor Chidley said.
   The projects include improvements to tennis courts and picnic areas and dredging of the pond in the park.