Freeholders Give $2 Million Back To Township

Morris County freeholders Gene Feyl, William J. Chegwidden, Margaret Nordstrom and Jack J. Schrier presented the Montville Township Committee with a check for more than $2 million as part of a grant from the county's open space fund at the township committee's meeting on Tuesday.

Feyl, who is the freeholder director, congratulated the township committee for its "achievement in preserving open space of this community."

"It doesn't come easy," he said. We want to salute you achievement in preserving over 150 acers of space. You've done a great job of fulfilling open space in Morris County."

Feyl said that, of all townships within the county, Montville ranked third in amount in preserved open space.

According to Mayor Jim Sandham, the check represents a return of nearly two-thirds of the $3 million the township used to purchase the 48-acre Starkey property at the corner of Millers Lane and River Road.

Sandham said that, between the county grant and state funding, the township's out of pocket expense for the property's acquisition was only about 10 percent of the total cost for the land.

"We really worked that program as best we could," he said. "I don't think we could have gotten it any lower.

Sandham said that, because the county open space fund is fueled by local tax dollars, the two million represents a return of local taxes back to the township.

The township, with assistance from the Land Conservancy of New Jersey, acquired the Starkey property in August. The land, owned by Robin Starkey, is one of the few undeveloped properties remaining in the township. The proposed parkland would be used for hiking, picnicking, cross-country skiing, and bird watching.

The Open Space Committee has stated its intention to include the Starkey property in its yet-to-be-developed second phase plan for the township's open spaces.