By Frank Mustac, Special Writer
PENNINGTON — Land recently acquired as preserved open space and properties targeted for preservation were part of report presented to the Pennington Borough Council on Nov. 2.
Tom Ogren of the borough’s Open Space Committee told council members that the year-end balance in the municipality’s Open Space Trust Fund is projected to be $526,000. The balance amount takes into account spending $115,000 toward buying the 320-acre Mount Rose Preserve, also known as the Carter Road Property or the Western Electric/AT&T property.
Mount Rose was jointly acquired for a total cost $7.5 million with funding from Pennington, Hopewell Borough, Hopewell Township and several other municipalities, non-profit organizations and private funds, as well as from the state and Mercer County.
Mr. Ogren described the purchase as a “huge collaboration.” The preserve will be managed through a partnership with the New Jersey Conservation Foundation, Friends of Hopewell Valley Open Space, and Hopewell Township.
Funding sources for acquiring the 33-acre Brown property on the south side of Pennington-Titusville Road were also presented by Mr. Ogren. The land is west of the intersection with Hallett Drive. About half of the estimated $782,500 purchase price will come from a state Green Acres Program grant and other half from Mercer County.
Pennington Borough Council voted to acquire the Brown property in May of last year.
Mr. Ogren also presented a map of proposed bicycle routes in and through Pennington, and another map showing a greenbelt around the borough. A greenbelt is where building is restricted on an area of open land circling a town.
The Open Space Committee has already suggested a site for acquisition within the greenbelt, according to Mr. Ogren’s report to the Borough Council.
A proposal in the report also suggested that some of the land belonging to the Bristol-Myers Squibb office complex in Hopewell Township, northeast of Pennington Borough, be considered for preservation.
“It’s 200 acres of open space,” he said. “It’s the largest amount of open space adjacent to the borough, and development of that space, I would say, would have an adverse impact.”
The number of acres that could be obtained from the site for preservation, however, depends on stipulations recorded in the 2006 developer’s agreement between Bristol-Myers Squibb and Hopewell Township.
Pennington Mayor Anthony Persichilli asked if any land within the borough is being considered for open space.
Mr. Ogren answered saying, “We have looked within the borough but couldn’t find anything.”
Councilwoman Catherine “Kit” Chandler asked if the Borough Council should convene in closed session at some future date to discuss other possible open space acquisitions.
“I think that’s good idea.” Mr. Ogren said.
