Town helps school purchase two lots

Properties to be used as sidewalk and driveway.

By: Joseph Harvie
   The Township Council is expected to introduce two ordinances Tuesday that would allow it to help the school district purchase two parcels of land .
   One of the parcels will be used to build a driveway from Constable School on Constable Road to Dawson Road. The second parcel will be bought because it has a sidewalk used by students walking to the Monmouth Junction School.
   The township would buy the 13,800-square-foot Constable Road piece for $345,000 from Edward and Florence Anne Belding, who offered to sell the property. The land is adjacent to the school and the driveway will lead from the east side of the school to Dawson Road. The proposed driveway, which would run behind several Dawson Road homes, would be used by faculty and staff.
   The second parcel, on Monmouth Drive and owned by Alberta Flagg, has a sidewalk that connects the Fresh Ponds development with Monmouth Drive, which leads to the Monmouth Junction School, said Mr. Scott. The 14,400-square-foot-parcel would be purchased for $162,000.
   Once the parcels are purchased, they will be sold to the district if voters approve the transaction at the April 19 school elections. If approved by voters, the proposal needs the OK of the state Department of Education, according to Mr. Scott.
   Mr. Scott said that if the board waits until April to get voter approval, and then state approval, it could delay the project.
   Mr. Scott said the Board of Education didn’t want to condemn the Belding’s property.
   "We met with the neighbors of Constable School to let them know we were looking to build a new entrance," Mr. Scott said. "One of the neighbors approached us and said, ‘We would sell you our house and lot if that would make things better for you.’ "
   The 13,800-square-foot parcel could be purchased for $345,000, said Mr. Scott. According to a search of South Brunswick tax information, the parcel is appraised at $158,500.
   Mr. Scott said Wednesday the land near Monmouth Junction School has a sidewalk used by students living in Fresh Ponds to walk to school. The sidewalk is on private property and owned by Ms. Flagg.
   The district and township have an agreement with Ms. Flagg to allow children to use the sidewalk while alternatives are looked at, said Township Manager Matthew Watkins. One of those alternatives is purchasing the land.
   The township and the school board would split the $162,000 price tag for 14,400-square-foot parcel equally, said Mr. Watkins. According to a search of the South Brunswick tax information the parcel is assessed at $57,500.