TOWNSHIP BRIEFS

By:Alec Moore
   By a 3-1 vote, the Township Committee last week approved a resolution which holds the township responsible for the long-term maintenance of a piece of land in the western section of town, commonly known as the Bibeau property. The township is currently looking into acquiring the property for open space preservation, through a Somerset County Partnership Grant.
   The resolution will be null and void, however, if the township does not acquire the property.
   Deputy Mayor Steven Sireci explained that the resolution was approved as a testament to county officials of the township’s willingness to maintain the property.
   "When we submitted our application for the Somerset County Partnership Grant the county made it clear that they want us to overtly show that we will maintain this property," said Dr. Sireci. "We’re simply fulfilling a requirement to be eligible for this grant. This is simply a paperwork application, this is not a commitment to buy the property."
   Committeewoman Sonya Martin, who voted against the resolution, raised concerns over the language in the resolution.
   "At this point I don’t know what we’re buying," she said. "I don’t see how we can pass this resolution, what is it that the owner is prepared to sell and what is it that we’re prepared to buy."
   Deputy Mayor Sireci stated that the resolution provides for the maintenance of the property but not the Bibeau house. Dr. Sireci added that there are no plans to purchase the house itself, when and if, the township acquires the property.
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   By a unanimous vote, the committee introduced a $54,000 capital spending plan for the purchase of equipment to be used by the police department at the May 13 meeting.
   The equipment includes bullet proof vests, a computer upgrade and new communications system, a satellite radio receiver, mobile radios with sirens, unspecified equipment for new officers, a breath test unit, shotguns and anti-terrorist equipment, which includes gas masks.
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   The committee unanimously approved an ordinance on May 13 authorizing the committee to hire Delaware & Raritan Greenway, Inc. for an amount not to exceed $15,000 for the year.
   The company will serve as a consultant to the township on matters related to open space and farmland preservation.