Hearing on ordinance delayed

MANALAPAN - A hearing on an ordinance that concerns improvements at the intersection of Iron Ore and High Bridge roads has been scheduled for Nov. 28.

The discussion was postponed at the Oct. 10 meeting of the Township Committee.

The ordinance concerning the intersection project would provide municipal officials with the authority they need to purchase land to make the planned improvements at the Iron Ore and High Bridge roads intersection.

Township engineer Greg Valesi was given instructions to review the proposed ordinance with an eye on bringing the project in as tightly as possible given the concerns that had already been presented to officials in communications made prior to the Oct. 10 hearing.

One of the concerned individuals is Iron Ore Road resident Coral Silsbe.

Silsbe said she has spoken with all the neighbors who came to state their concern that their properties might be adversely affected by the ordinance.

If adopted by the committee, the ordinance would give officials the authority to acquire the frontage needed from certain properties in order to provide the space required to complete the road improvement project.

Silsbe said she and her neighbors are concerned because they are afraid that more of their property frontage will be taken from them through eminent domain (condemnation) than was represented when they were initially notified of the pending road reconstruction.

Deputy Mayor Michelle Roth explained that the ordinance does not say anything about eminent domain, but does authorize the township to move to acquire the needed property through the use of independent appraisals.

Silsbe said the two or so feet she was initially informed would be acquired by Manalapan has now grown to at least 10 feet of frontage.

"It's not the project itself that concerns me, but that it has changed and grown from how it was originally presented," she said.

- Kathy Baratta