Town will buy building rights

MARLBORO - The township will acquire the development rights to 78 acres of the F&F Nurseries in an agreement that will prevent construction on the land.

An ordinance appropriating $950,000 for the deal and providing for the issuance of $902,500 in bonds or notes to finance the acquisition of the development rights was adopted by the Township Council on June 26.

The F&F Nurseries property is off Pleasant Valley and Schanck roads.

Business Administrator Alayne Shepler said the acquisition of the development rights is part of the state Green Acres Planning Incentive Grant. She said Marlboro, Monmouth County and New Jersey will partner in the agreement which will grant Marlboro the development rights to the F&F Nurseries property.

Shepler said the 78-acre tract will remain as its current use - a nursery - or become an open space parcel. She said the state has revised the amount of money it initially intended to provide.

Providing a breakdown of each partner's share of the deal, Shepler said the state's payment will be $2.2 million (51.92 percent). Monmouth County will pay $1.2 million (28 percent) and Marlboro will pay $864,863 (19.28 percent).

Council Vice President Steve Rosenthal requested letters from the state and county stating their payments toward the purchase price.

Councilwoman Randi Marder recused herself from the discussion on this issue because the land in question is near her home.