Ordinances are introduced
By John Tredrea, Special Writer
WEST AMWELL — Police and firefighting equipment and other items could be purchased under an ordinance introduced by the West Amwell Township Committee June 26, township clerk Lora Olsen said.
Under the measure, which is expected to be scheduled for a public hearing and adoption vote by the committee in August, the township could withdraw $123,200 from its capital improvement fund for the purchases.
Among the items to be bought with the funds, she said, are portable radios for the township’s office of emergency management, generators for Public Works and fire departments and turnout gear for the firefighters.
Turnout gear includes the fireproof coats, pants and boots firefighters use.
IF ULTIMATELY ADOPTED, another ordinance introduced at the meeting would enable West Amwell Township to take possession of a 42-acre tract that would be preserved as open space.
The township has partnered with Green Acres and the Delaware and Raritan Greenway to preserve the land.
An ordinance adopted in May authorized the township to contribute money for the purchase of the property.
The ordinance introduced June 26 would, if adopted in August as expected, authorize the township to take actual possession of the land.
The township contributed $45,000 from its Open Space Trust Fund toward the purchase of the property, located off Woodens Lane near Hopewell Township.
The total price of the property is $425,000, officials said, with Green Acres and the Delaware and Raritan Greenway covering the portion of the cost the township will not pay.
Green Acres (a state agency that works to preserve open space) and the Delaware and Raritan Greenway, Inc. (a regional nonprofit land conservancy dedicated to preserving the 400-square-mile watershed of the D&R Canal) would pay the balance of the cost of the property.
— The township will make well-testing kits available to residents, Ms. Olsen said.
The kits can be used to test well water for pesticides and other contaminants.
The basic kit will cost $60 to use, with more sophisticated kits priced higher.
The kits will be available for purchase at the Saturday depot (the place near the municipal building where residents can drop off recycling) on Sept. 14, and returned to the township two days later.

