Robbinsville to preserve 152-acre parcel of land

By Jessica Ercolino, Staff Writer
   ROBBINSVILLE — The township is on its way to preserving a “top priority” parcel totaling 152 acres on Robbinsville-Edinburg Road.
   Township Council last week unanimously adopted an $8.3 million bond ordinance to purchase a 152-acre parcel of open space from Princeton Research Lands.
   Mayor Dave Fried thanked council members for their approval during the Oct. 9 meeting.
   ”This parcel has been recognized as a number one priority in the township ever since I became an elected official here,” he said. “I think we’ve talked about it at every Open Space Committee meeting we’ve ever had.”
   Township Council introduced the ordinance at its Sept. 25 meeting, where questions were asked about the funding of the purchase.
   Township Engineer Jack West explained then that while Robbinsville has applied for additional Green Acres funding, the township has used all of its current Green Acres funds on the purchase of the 54-acre Van Cleef property on Robbinsville-Allentown Road, which the township preserved a few months ago.
   Township Administrator Mary Caffrey added that though preservation funding is limited, Robbinsville has a good chance of being reimbursed for this purchase should funds become available because it is considered a high-priority piece by both Mercer County and Green Acres.