READINGTON TWP. -- Negotiations between the township and the owners of the Solberg airport have not resumed since they were halted earlier this month.

Closed-door discussions between the township and the Solbergs began in September, but they failed to reach an agreement over the airport's future. Suzanne Solberg Nagle, who owns the airport with her brother and sister, said Monday she wants to continue the discussions.

"I'm still optimistic there's an answer out there, and we just have to find it," Nagle said. "Reason will prevail and we can arrive at an amicable solution."

She also suggested a professional mediator assist further negotiations.

Township Mayor Gerard Shamey said although the sides remain at an "impasse" in the issue, the township is willing to discuss any information the Solbergs would like to bring to them.

"We're here," he said.

But the township isn't "interested in having (the runway) go beyond" its licensed length of 3,735 feet, which was the final proposal the township made during the negotiation sessions, he said.

Runway length stands out as the stickiest point of negotiations. The Solbergs' final proposal included a 5,000 foot runway, according to information provided by the township.

Nagle declined to comment on whether the airport's negotiating team is willing to decrease that proposal.

Township officials brought the public up to speed on the proposals during a Jan. 17 informational meeting. A team of consultants the township hired offered data on the environmental, noise and general quality of life implications an expanded airport would mean for the township.

Nagle suggested other resources, like studies by the New Jersey Department of Transportation and research groups, provide further data on these issues as well as what impact an airport has on property values.

Lengthened runways mean increased jet traffic and larger safety zones for takeoff and landing, according to a Jan. 27 letter Shamey sent residents.

Officials are "very concerned" about the jets and small prop planes that could then fly close to residential housing, the Holland Brook School, the Readington Middle School and the Hillcrest Park recreation area, he wrote in the letter.

The township's final proposal was to purchase 650 acres of open space on the site for preservation and possible recreation use for $22 million.

The Solbergs' final proposal included the township preserving only the open space left after expansion of runways and hangar space. They asked for $36 million for the deal.

Under that proposal, the township would only acquire the development rights to the land, which would be preserved by a deed restriction.

The Solbergs proposed constructing 500,000 square feet of hangar space and expanding the crosswinds runway to 3,700 feet. The township proposed 150,000 square feet of hangar space and maintaining the crosswinds runway at its licensed length of 3,400 feet.

Reporter Andrea Eilenberger can be reached at 610-258-7171 or by e-mail at aeilenberger@express-times.com.

© 2006 The Express-Times.

Date: January 31, 2006 Source: NJ.com
URL: http://www.nj.com/search/index.ssf?/base/news-1/1138701957184080.xml?expresstimes?nnj&coll=2