Hopewell Township officials preserve Foster Farm

Area is off Woosamonsa Road

By John Tredrea
   Forty-eight acres off Woosamonsa Road in Hopewell Township can be preserved as farmland under an ordinance adopted 4-0 by Hopewell Township Committee Monday night.
   Voting in favor were Mayor Vanessa Sandom, Deputy Mayor David Sandahl, and committee members Judy Niederer and Mark Iorio. John Murphy was absent.
   Under the ordinance, the township and state must equally split the cost of purchasing an agricultural easement for 48 of the 52 acres of property owned by Tom and Mary Foster.
   Under the easement, the Fosters will retain ownership of the 48 acres on the condition that it only be used as farmland. The easement would be permanent, meaning the same condition would apply to any purchaser of the property.
   The Fosters’ home is on the 4 acres of the 52-acre tract not earmarked for the agricultural easement.
   James McManimon, township land-use official, said when the ordinance was introduced two weeks ago that the maximum amount the township can pay for the easement is $572,000. The state must pay the same amount the township pays. The state money would come from the New Jersey Agricultural Development Committee.