Unseeded Field Irks Upper Committeeman; Is Parcel Uplands or Wetlands?

PETERSBURG – Upper Township Committee member Hobart Young brought to the governing body’s attention June 12 that the baseball fields at Amanda’s Field “are nowhere near where they need to be so they’re ready for the fall season. We have had guys pulled off the job, and some are on vacation so with no extra help I don’t know where we’ll stand with fall ball since the fields should have been seeded about this time.” 
Young also pointed out that the newly-ordered Little League scoreboard lacks a pitch count function. Because of that, it will not be useable. Also, several swings for special-needs children “have been sitting on the shelf for a year and a half and have not been installed, again because of a lack of manpower, and we’re also not keeping up with the maintenance of the other fields as well as fencing.”
Economic Development
Committee member John Coggins reported that the township’s Economic Development Committee is looking at grant opportunities.
“These would include for sewer conversions and connections, bulkhead and marina improvements, environmental projects, including with the Army Corps of Engineers as they put together their 50-year plan and unclaimed money from (Superstorm) Sandy of about $10 million statewide that might be available through the Department of Environmental Protection.
“We’re planning to have a citizens’ meeting so we can get public input and gauge public sentiment, then move to concept and development phases so we can start to submit proposals,” he explained.
Return of Bond
Under resolutions committee considered was one that provided for releasing of the maintenance guaranty of Cedar Villas Inc. for the major subdivision known as the extension of Meghan Lane.
Solicitor Daniel Young provided background noting, “Under Township ordinance, the company provides a two-year maintenance bond for road and drainage construction and then after those two years if there are no issues we release the bond and return the monies. That is the purpose of this resolution.”
Wetlands or Uplands?
A lengthy discussion ensued related to unfinished business entitled “appraisal for the sale of township-owned property at Block 11, Lot 4.04.” Young clarified that there were several valuations for this piece of land including the assessor’s recent valuation of $59,500, a professional appraisal of about $10,000 more than the assessor’s value, and the current assessed value of about $10,000 less than the assessor’s recent valuation.
“The key question is whether environmental constraints affect whether the lot is buildable and if so what valuation to use. The committee could act reasonably and decide not to sell,” he said.
Committee heard from Edward Bixby who said he was in “real estate for 20 years” and wants to buy this parcel to add to the recreational trails he has opened to the public that is associated with his natural cemetery at Steelmantown.
“I think you have incorrect appraisals, in fact, I strongly disagree with these very high valuations, and the value of this lot should be at the wetlands price of about $15,000-20,000.”
Mayor Richard Palombo stressed, “We need to do what’s right for the taxpayers because once we sell this land, we won’t be getting any tax revenue from it since cemeteries don’t pay taxes.
“We have a fiscal responsibility to the taxpayers to get the correct amount.”
Ultimately committee authorized access to the property by Bixby’s engineer to provide further information on the nature of the land, provide that information to committee and township Engineer Paul Dietrich, and then committee could proceed with any action on whether to sell this tract of land.
To contact Camille Sailer, email csailer@cmcherald.com.