By Jennifer Ortiz
Staff Writer
HOWELL — Municipal officials are taking a look at a property on Casino Drive for preservation purposes.
A resolution authorizing an agreement between Howell and the Monmouth Conservation Foundation for partial reimbursement of appraisal costs relating to the preservation of Nevergreen Farm was passed by the Township Council in July. The 23-acre property is at 395 Casino Drive, Howell.
According to the resolution, the Monmouth Conservation Foundation has received a nonprofit cost share grant from the State Agriculture Development Committee for the preservation of Nevergreen Farm.
The council’s resolution states that Howell and the Monmouth Conservation Foundation agree on the importance of preserving the property. The council authorized the agreement between the parties for a partial reimbursement of appraisal costs relating to the farm’s preservation.
The Monmouth Conservation Foundation will be responsible for engaging the services of two SADC farmland preservation program-approved appraisers to conduct appraisals on the Nevergreen Farm property and advancing the funds necessary to obtain the appraisals at a total cost not to exceed $10,000.
According to the resolution, upon submission of an invoice by the Monmouth Conservation Foundation to Howell for 50 percent reimbursement of the cost of both appraisals, Howell will reimburse the foundation that amount (not more than $5,000).
In other business, the council passed a resolution in support of a traffic regulation order issued by the New Jersey Department of Transportation to legally establish no passing zones on Wyckoff Mills Road and on Strickland Road.
Township Attorney McKenna Torcivia said, “This was an order by the DOT asking us to pass a resolution that indicates there are no passing zones on Wyckoff Mills Road and Strickland Road; it is already there, but they are taking an inventory and we have to do it by resolution. This is just a housekeeping measure on the DOT’s part.”
Finally, an ordinance was introduced to amend the 2016 salary of the community development technician. The salary range for the position will be between $44,907 and $58,690, according to the ordinance, which will have a public hearing and vote for adoption at a future council meeting.
