READINGTON TWP. — Petitions circulating throughout the township generated nearly twice the signatures needed to put a $22 million bond ordinance up for public vote.

Thor Solberg, co-owner of Solberg Airport, said he submitted the petition with more than 1,800 signatures Thursday.

The binding referendum will let voters approve or reject the bond, which officials passed to raise money for a proposed purchase of open space and development rights on the airport.

"We're going to encourage the voters to get out and vote," Mayor Gerard Shamey said. "And (to) vote in favor of the bond ordinance."

The issue is slated for discussion during Monday's committee meeting.

"I think it's a victory for the taxpayer," Solberg said. "And I have to express our heartfelt gratitude to our volunteers who went out with petitions in their own neighborhood. This was a real grass-roots effort."

Shamey said officials don't know whether the township will hold a special election or put it on the ballot during the general election.

"We're having our bond counsel research that," he said.

The township has 10 days to verify the signatures. If 15 percent of the number of registered township voters who cast ballots in the last Assembly election signed it, a referendum must be held. According to Hunterdon County Clerk Dorothy Tirpok, 6,457 voters cast ballots in that election, which means 968 signatures are required.

The controversial issue hinges on the township's desire to prevent an airport expansion and to preserve 650 acres of open space surrounding it.

Officials say Solberg Aviation Co.'s goal is to develop a regional jetport, but Solberg disagrees.

"We have no such plan to construct anything other than improvements to the existing infrastructure," Solberg said.

Solberg maintains the bond is unnecessary to continue negotiations and sees it is as a plan to seize the property through eminent domain.

Officials deny that is their plan.

"The purpose of putting the bond ordinance in place was to be in the position to negotiate with the Solbergs and to have money available," Shamey said. "Our goals have remained the same."

Under the officials' plan, the Solbergs retain ownership of the airport.

According to officials, using a long-term bond with anticipated Green Acres grants and state Environmental Infrastructure low-interest loans, a township homeowner with an assessed home value of $400,000 would pay an additional $60 a year in taxes to help shoulder the cost of the acquisition.

Without those grants, that homeowner would pay $55 for the first three years and $165 annually for 17 years.

"I think we're very happy to have it go to a public vote," Committeewoman Julia Allen said. "Our goal has been and continues to be to go forward with the most possible public input on this issue."

She said the bond was passed without a vote because "the bond law provides for this procedure."

The outcome of a referendum held before officials voted on the bond would not have been legally binding, meaning an additional referendum would have been necessary, she said.

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

© 2006 The Express-Times.

Date: March 18, 2006 Source: PennLive.com
URL: http://www.pennlive.com/search/index.ssf?/base/news-2/1142658643150260.xml?expresstimes?nnj&coll=2