Mayor Stephen Dalina Moves to Preserve Nearly 44 Acres of Open Space in Two Prime Locations in Monroe Township
State and County Grants Fund More Than 80% of Acquisition Costs
MONROE TOWNSHIP – October 23, 2023 – Working in collaboration with Middlesex County and State Legislators, Mayor Stephen Dalina is moving forward to preserve a nearly 34-acre farm that is contiguous to Thompson Park as well as a ten-acre tract of land on Spotswood Gravel Hill Road. Together, the properties total nearly 44 acres of prime real estate in Monroe Township that will be preserved as open space and therefore saved from developers.
“We are advancing a key goal from last year’s Master Plan to acquire and preserve more open space in Monroe Township,” said Mayor Stephen Dalina. “These properties are in two very desirable locations in our Township and therefore very sought after by developers. I’m thankful to our 14th district state legislators – Sen. Linda Greenstein and Assemblymen Wayne DeAngelo and Dan Benson – and County officials, including Commissioner Director Ronald G. Rios who helped us move quickly to add them to our Open Space inventory.”
Most of the costs of these acquisitions are offset by state and county grants. The purchase price of the 34-acre farm is $4.3 million and the 10-acre property was purchased for $2.3 million. Those grant funds will cover $5.5 million, or 83%, of the total $6.6 million in acquisition costs, providing the benefit of significant open space to Monroe residents while saving taxpayers from shouldering the vast majority of the costs.
“We have worked together for years to successfully secure hundreds of acres of quality open space in Monroe Township and we are particularly pleased to preserve this land which is adjacent to Thompson Park,” said Middlesex County Commissioner Director Ronald G. Rios. “We will continue to pursue future opportunities as they are identified.”
“As a resident of Monroe Township, I’m thankful to the State and County for grants to prioritize and preserve our green space,” said Middlesex County Commissioner Leslie Koppel. “Green and open space plays a pivotal role not only in promoting a sustainable environment but is also
necessary for our community’s well-being. Future generations will appreciate the efforts made today to ensure our land is protected for farming, recreation, and the overall enjoyment of nature.”
After coming to an agreement with the owner of the 34-acre farm located at 330 Schoolhouse Road, the Township will purchase a preservation easement on the farmland in the coming months that will protect it from development in perpetuity. “According to a certified appraisal estimate, this move will prevent up to 35 potential homes that may have been developed on the land based on current zoning regulations in that district,” the mayor added.
The mayor also recently worked to secure ten acres of open space/passive recreation located at 405 Spotswood Gravel Hill Road, formerly Garvey’s restaurant. Both parcels were evaluated and unanimously recommended by the Township’s Open Space and Farmland Preservation Commission.
“I am thrilled that we can preserve 34 acres of beautiful farmland, and another 10 acres in a the lower Matchaponix neighborhood. Both properties could have been purchased for future high-density residential development associated with future court obligations and we prevented that from happening,” said Mayor Dalina. “I have promised Monroe residents that my administration would identify and preserve as much open space as possible, to curtail development and protect Monroe’s natural beauty, and we’re keeping that promise.”
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All media inquiries may be directed to Monroe Township Public Information Officer Stacey Kennedy at 732-521-4400 or