BY KATHY CHANG
Staff Writer
MILLTOWN — Some 108 trees will be distributed on Middlesex County land behind the Ice Cream Depot, next to the new substation on Washington Avenue, as part of the landscaping requirements of a Green Acres project for the site.
Borough Engineer Michael McClelland said that the types of trees discussed in the negotiated change order with the contractor include kanzans, dogwoods, redbuds, sugar maples, red maples, serviceberries and red oaks.
Mayor Eric Steeber said the original design included just cherry trees; however, after recommendations through the Environmental Commission, other kinds of trees were added to make the area more forested and less of a field, he said.
McClelland said the funds earmarked for this improvement has to go on county property and/or the trees can go to other county parkland preserves.
“The condition is, we took county Green Acres land, we have to put it back on Green Acres lands,” he said.
In 2013, the borough purchased the Schwendeman log cabin property adjacent to Albert Avenue and Mill Pond Park for the purpose of a land swap with Middlesex County for property adjacent to Borough Hall on Washington Avenue. The next year, the borough acquired the 1.3 acres from the county for the new substation.
The use of the property on Washington Avenue allowed for the new substation to be built on higher ground, outside of the flood plain, according to the New Jersey State House Commission, which had jurisdiction over the land swap.
In exchange, Milltown conveyed the former Schwendeman property — 2.6 acres on Kuhlthau Avenue — to the county.
Councilwoman Doriann Kerber said in her opinion, 108 trees is too much distribution for the site, especially with future projects coming to the site.
She said currently the site has a walking path, an Eagle Scout project of a butterfly garden will be conducted on the site in the future and the site will be home to the last remaining structure of the Raritan River Railroad.
Kerber said originally 75 trees were discussed, adding that stormwater management should be considered for the site. The mayor said officials can further discuss a stormwater drainage system with the county.
McClelland said the types of trees are not locked into the change order.
“We can change the style of trees,” he said.
Contact Kathy Chang at [email protected].