Agreement of Sale Approved on Feeney Property

Buckingham Supervisors last night unanimously approved an agreement of sale on a conservation easement for about 80 acres owned by Michael J. Feeney.

The property is along Church School Road between Church and Fell roads.

The board voted in March to authorize its acquisition, and just this week got Feeney’s signature on the sale.

The township now must seek appraisals on the property and see if county and state coffers will commit money toward the property’s agricultural preservation.

About 70 acres would be purchased through funding provided by mostly township monies.

While the property still needs to be appraised, Supervisor Vice Chairman Maggie Rash had given figures in March that it was worth about $2.278 million. The township may have to kick in about $1.6 million.

Rash, who sits on the township’s agricultural committee, said this latest land acquisition solidifies the backing of township residents to keep development at bay.

More than 80 percent of Buckingham voters gave support to the last bond issue referendum for land preservation, she said.

“All our properties we preserve are valuable to us in the township, but for the landowner, it’s a huge step,” she acknowledged. “We really thank Mary and Mike Feeney for doing this wonderful thing.”

The location is also merited.

“It’s always a joy to preserve a big portion of land in the northern part of the township, because our agriculture is focused in the southern part.”

Roughly 10 acres of the property would be used by the township’s water and sewer department for a drip irrigation system.

In other business, supervisors

• adopted an ordinance renewing Comcast Cable’s franchise agreements with the township.
• waived a portion of fees for Peddler’s Village “Celebration of Freedom” event in July (they will still pay $1,000).
• approved Longfellow Lane resident Steve McKee’s appointment to the Park and Recreation Board.