By Matthew Sockol
Staff Writer
MILLSTONE – Municipal officials have taken action to acquire a property that could eventually be the location of affordable housing in Millstone Township.
On Aug. 17, the Township Committee adopted a bond ordinance that provides an appropriation of $1.1 million for the acquisition of property at 27 Burnt Tavern Road.
The total appropriation includes the issuance of $1.045 million in bonds or notes and a down payment of $55,000. The down payment will be funded with $39,435 from the Millstone Open Space Farmland Preservation Trust Fund and $15,565 from the State Council on Affordable Housing Trust Fund.
According to the ordinance, the property on Burnt Tavern Road contains about 53.39 acres. The portion of the tract that may be developed is 15.11 acres. Slightly more than 38 acres would remain as open space.
Officials said no plan has been drawn up for a residential project at the site, nor has a developer been selected.
Mayor Bob Kinsey, Deputy Mayor Michael Kuczinski and committee members Gary Dorfman and Nancy Grbelja voted to acquire the property and authorize the issuance of bonds. Committeeman Fiore Masci was absent.
The committee passed a resolution authorizing the township’s 2016 capital budget to be amended to include the acquisition of the Burnt Tavern Road parcel after the bond ordinance was introduced on July 20.
New Jersey municipalities are required by law to provide opportunities for the development of housing that is sold or rented at below market rates to individuals and families whose income meets guidelines established by the state.
