SOUTH RIVER — The borough has acquired more open space.
The borough recently approved the purchase of the approximately four-acre tract on Causeway.
The latest acquisition now brings the property owned by the borough on the street to more than six acres.
In December, the borough purchased two acres of land on the street for approximately $55,800. The purchase, from former Sayreville Mayor John McCormack, gave the borough property for a waterfront park.
The latest acquisition, which is estimated to have cost the borough $18,000, according to Mayor Robert Szegeti, will increase the open space on Causeway allowing for the borough to develop the entire 8-acre site as a fishing and crabbing pier.
The borough also plans on petitioning the Middlesex County Board of Chosen Freeholders to vacate the street, which is owned by the county.
By doing so, Szegeti said, the existing road would be vacated to the end of the property to enhance the area and add to the property already acquired.
"This will afford an opportunity for us to develop our waterfront with a park that overlooks our namesake," Szegeti said.
In October, the borough entered into a 19-year agreement with the county for a 2-acre parcel on Causeway. That land was leased for $1 over the 19-year period.
The money for the purchases comes from the $955,000 sale of land on River Road to Hazlet-based developers Matzel and Mumford.
That money has been earmarked for the sole purchase of open space.
In addition to the purchase on Causeway, the borough has also trying to acquire land on Whitehead Avenue.
The land, adjoining Grekoski Park and Bissett’s Pond on Whitehead Avenue and Anne Street, will be used to expand the park.
The borough is hoping to purchase that land for about $30,000, Szegeti said. Negotiations with the land owner are under way.
— Takesha Pettus