Township OKs purchase of 14-acre Regan tract

Tract would “anchor” a proposed historic district in the Harbourton portion of the township

By John Tredrea, Staff Writer
   A 14-acre tract near the intersection of Harbourton-Woodsville and Harbourton-Rocktown roads can be purchased for $500,000 by Hopewell Township under a $600,000 bond ordinance adopted unanimously by the Township Committee Monday night.
   The bond covers closing costs and other expenses related to the actual purchase. The land is owned by James Regan, who has offices in Princeton.
   If the purchase goes through as expected, the land would be preserved as open space.
   Mayor Vanessa Sandom and township Administrator/Engineer Paul Pogorzelski said the state’s Green Acres program is expected to reimburse the township for about half the cost of the purchase.
   The exact amount to be received from Green Acres is not yet known, they said. The township’s share would come from its own municipal open space tax revenues.
   The was no public comment on the Regan bond proposal Monday night. Under state law, a public hearing on any proposed municipal ordinance must be held before an adoption vote. The ordinance was introduced Oct. 14.
   The Regan tract is in the scenic northwest portion of the 58-square-mile township and “is an absolutely beautiful piece of property,” Committeeman Michael Markulec said.
   Mr. Pogorzelski said the Regan tract would “anchor” a proposed historic district in the Harbourton portion of the township. An ordinance establishing the Harbourton historic district was introduced Monday night. That measure is scheduled for a public hearing and adoption vote on Nov. 24. In the interim, as is required by state law of any proposed municipal land-use ordinance, the measure will be reviewed in writing by the township Planning Board.
   Mayor Sandom said the proposed historic district is roughly bounded by the Harbourton Cemetery to the east, the Newhouse property to the west, the Orlando property to the north and the Regan tract to the south.