MIDDLETOWN – The Township Committee will purchase a 1.35-acre parcel at 85 Hubbard Ave., demolish an existing home and preserve the tract as open space.
About two-thirds of the property is wetlands and marsh, according to Township Administrator Anthony Mercantante.
Committee members confirmed the $517,043 purchase price of the property with the passage of a resolution during a meeting on May 4.
Officials previously adopted an ordinance authorizing the purchase of the property from Michael and Natalie Pugliese. A purchase and sale agreement was subsequently entered into with regard to the property.
The purchase price, inclusive of closing costs, will be funded exclusively from Middletown’s open space trust fund without any borrowing and with possible grants, according to the resolution that was passed by Mayor Tony Perry, Deputy Mayor Anthony Fiore, Committeewoman Patricia Snell, Committeeman Rick Hibell and Committeeman Kevin Settembrino.
“This developed piece of property will become open space,” Perry said. “The township’s purchase of this property will enhance the safety of students walking to and from the River Plaza School. That’s a win for students and parents who are walking on Hubbard Avenue.”
