Medford will preserve camp as open space
http://www.courierpostonline.com/news/southjersey/m111203l.htm
Wednesday, November 12, 2003
By MICHAEL T. BURKHART
Courier-Post Staff
MEDFORD
Officials Tuesday night approved an ordinance setting aside funds to buy development rights to a summer camp in the township to preserve as open space.
Under the bond plan, building rights to the 114-acre Jewish Community Center camp on Stokes Road will be sold to the township for $1.8 million.
"We're setting up a 1,000-acre forest belt in the southern part of the township," Mayor Scott Rudder said. "It's an important piece to bring that belt together."
The township expects to close on the property in December, said Alan Feit, township manager.
The township has been interested in the development rights for the camp, owned by the Jewish Federation of Southern New Jersey, since it formalized its open-space plan several years ago. The camp will continue to operate its popular summer programs.
The JCC camp is next to the 565-acre Camp Ockanickon, a YMCA camp for which the township bought development rights about five years ago.
Under the state Green Acres program, the township will pay about $450,000 for the rights, officials have said. The state pays half the cost, while Burlington County picks up the remaining quarter.
Also within sight for open space are three tracts known locally as Cow Point, which comprise 374 acres of farmland along Stokes Road. The township and the Burlington County Freeholders agreed last month to negotiate the purchase from the Eni family and a deal could be reached by the end of the year.
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Cow Point is bordered by Stokes, Branin and Himmelein roads. The land is zoned for residential and commercial development.
Medford raises about $400,000 a year with its 3 cent open-space tax.
The township has a goal of preserving 6,000 acres as open space.
About 1,500 acres already have been saved.
http://www.courierpostonline.com/news/southjersey/m111203l.htm
Wednesday, November 12, 2003
By MICHAEL T. BURKHART
Courier-Post Staff
MEDFORD
Officials Tuesday night approved an ordinance setting aside funds to buy development rights to a summer camp in the township to preserve as open space.
Under the bond plan, building rights to the 114-acre Jewish Community Center camp on Stokes Road will be sold to the township for $1.8 million.
"We're setting up a 1,000-acre forest belt in the southern part of the township," Mayor Scott Rudder said. "It's an important piece to bring that belt together."
The township expects to close on the property in December, said Alan Feit, township manager.
The township has been interested in the development rights for the camp, owned by the Jewish Federation of Southern New Jersey, since it formalized its open-space plan several years ago. The camp will continue to operate its popular summer programs.
The JCC camp is next to the 565-acre Camp Ockanickon, a YMCA camp for which the township bought development rights about five years ago.
Under the state Green Acres program, the township will pay about $450,000 for the rights, officials have said. The state pays half the cost, while Burlington County picks up the remaining quarter.
Also within sight for open space are three tracts known locally as Cow Point, which comprise 374 acres of farmland along Stokes Road. The township and the Burlington County Freeholders agreed last month to negotiate the purchase from the Eni family and a deal could be reached by the end of the year.
ADVERTISEMENT - CLICK TO ENLARGE OR VISIT WEBSITE
Advertise with us!
Cow Point is bordered by Stokes, Branin and Himmelein roads. The land is zoned for residential and commercial development.
Medford raises about $400,000 a year with its 3 cent open-space tax.
The township has a goal of preserving 6,000 acres as open space.
About 1,500 acres already have been saved.