READINGTON -- The township may have won a battle this week when voters approved it bonding $22 million to acquire the development rights and open space of Solberg-Hunterdon Airport, but the struggle is far from over.

On Wednesday, airport co-owner Thor Solberg said he was disappointed with the outcome of Tuesday’s referendum but said he is confident his family can reach an agreement with the township, providing the parties stay true to their stated intents.

"Negotiations will depend on the true agenda of the town," Solberg said. "If their agenda is simply to ensure that the special quality of life we have in Readington continues, ultimately I think the bond can be withdrawn and a solution that does not burden the taxpayers can be found."

The township will send the Solberg family a letter in the next few days requesting a return to the negotiating table in an effort to reach an agreement regarding the airport’s future, Mayor Gerard Shamey said.

While that would be a step toward resolving a decades-old controversy about the possibility of an airport expansion, Shamey said the outcome of future negotiations involving the airport is difficult to predict, compounded in part by the failure of previous negotiations between the township and Solberg family.

Ideally, Shamey said, he would like to see the matter resolved amicably within the next few months. The township is not considering eminent domain at this time, he said.

"I don’t ever want to get there, and try as I might, I must say that the media keeps bringing it back to eminent domain, but that’s not what this is about," Shamey said. "This is about resolving a long-standing issue. I guess we’ll just have to wait and see how this plays out."

On Tuesday, voters approved the township’s use of a $22 million bond to buy the development rights to the 70-year-old airport and more than 600 acres of open space that surround it. The final vote was 3,474 to 2,776 in favor of the bond.

For years, the township has feared the Solberg family is planning to expand the airport to accommodate larger planes and jet traffic. An airport expansion, the township has argued, could result in a devaluation of neighbors’ properties, an increase in noise pollution and higher infrastructure costs for residents.

The Solbergs have denied planning an expansion of the airport and believe the township is distorting the truth to scare residents into supporting municipal acquisition of the property.

The only purpose of the $22 million, the Solbergs have said, is to put the township in a position to pursue eminent domain because the airport is not for sale.

Solberg said he would be willing to consider selling the airport’s development rights to ensure no expansion occurs but said he wants the state or a preservation agency to buy the development rights -- not local taxpayers.

There is no time limit on negotiations between the township and the Solberg family. *

Christa Segalini can be reached at (908) 782-2300 or csegalini@c-n.com.

from the Courier News website www.c-n.com

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Date: May 18, 2006 Source: C-N.com — Courier News Online
URL: http://www.c-n.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060518/NEWS/605180309/-1/NEWS06