By Jane Meggitt, Special Writer
UPPER FREEHOLD — The creation of an Upper Freehold Chamber of Commerce and an update of open space maps identifying public lands for hiking and horseback riding are both on the Township Committee’s radar for 2013.
At the January 17 Township Committee meeting, Mayor Stan Moslowski Jr. said local business owner Linda Gravatt had suggested to him that Upper Freehold form its own Chamber of Commerce. Township businesses now work in conjunction with the Allentown Chamber of Commerce.
Ms. Gravatt and her family run Gravatt Hay and Straw on their preserved farmland on Route 524.
Deputy Mayor Steve Alexander thought the suggestion was a good idea, adding the township’s Economic Development Committee (EDC) could start working on forming a Chamber of Commerce. The EDC hasn’t been active in several years, but the Chamber of Commerce proposal and another idea that would need the business community’s support, could get it up and running again.
Marc Covitz, the chairman of the Environmental Advisory Committee (EAC), said that at the group’s last meeting in November it discussed updating the township’s open space map, which hasn’t been revised since 2006.
Since that time, several large parcels, including the former Princeton Nurseries lands, have been added to the open space inventory. An open space map, which would be paid for with businesses’ ads, would feature color coordinates indicating preserved farmland, county parkland and municipal recreation areas.
Mr. Covitz suggested turning the updated open space map into brochures that could be distributed to residents, letting them know where they could go hiking and horseback riding on public lands. Mr. Covitz said he’s often asked by residents which properties they have access to, and it is important to make it clear where they can and can’t go.
Mr. Moslowski said there used to be a community map regularly published, but Municipal Clerk Dana Tyler said the man who printed and solicited ads for it had died. Township Administrator Dianne Kelly said Township Engineer Glenn Gerken could update the map, then the town could go to market for vendors. She said the maps could be paid for with advertising revenue.
Mr. Covitz said he spoke to the person who put together a similar brochure for neighboring Plumsted Township. He was told that 5,000 folded brochures would cost $2,450. Mr. Covitz recommended placing the brochures in residents’ annual tax bills so that there would be no need to do a separate mailing of the brochures.
Mr. Alexander said the costs were something the governing body could discuss as it went through the 2013 budget process, which should start soon. He said the brochure was something else the EDC could get involved in.
Committeeman Bob Faber, whose farm is preserved, said the map must make very clear that preserved farms are private property.
Farmland preservation programs pay farmers for development rights — essentially the land’s value if developed — and the farmer agrees to a permanent deed restriction requiring the land to be used only for agriculture in perpetuity. The farm remains privately owned.
