Resident: 'Marketplace' Land is 'Overpriced'

Members of the public and the Montville Township Open Space Advisory Committee discussed the township’s near Knoll and River roads when the committee met on Thursday night.

The issue of the land’s acquisition, which the township hopes to acquire at least partially for walking trails, has become a hot-button topic amongst residents and township officials alike. Some residents remain concerned about the cost to acquire land on property that has proven to be flood-prone in the past, despite the majority of the costs being paid for through county grant money.

One resident wanting to know more about the plan to acquire the land was Zoning Board of Adjustment Alternate Member Kurt Dinkelmeyer, who made his concerns clear to Patch on Thursday night.

“My problem is basically the price,” Dinkelmeyer said. “If it appears it’s overpriced, we shouldn’t be buying property that’s overpriced.”

Open Space Committeeman Dan Pagano noted that the land acquisition is not yet a done deal for the township. While some within the township are hopeful that the land will be acquired for open space usage by June, Pagano stated that the township has to complete Phase One and Phase Two Environmental Site Assessments before it can close on the land for purchase.

“I believe they’ve completed Phase 1 and they’re heading into Phase 2 Environmental,” Pagano said. “Once it passes, they’ll schedule the closing. It has to pass by June 22, or the closing is called back to the county.”