READINGTON TWP. | Voters approved township officials’ plans Tuesday to borrow $22 million for the purchase of Solberg Airport’s development rights and surrounding open space.
Unofficial results show the referendum was approved 3,470-2,775.
"Today’s vote is a clear endorsement of the township committee’s continuing commitment to preserve Readington’s open space, natural resources and community character," said Township Mayor Gerard Shamey.
The vote is a key point in the decades-long airport debate, which has hinged on officials’ fear of an expansion into a regional jetport.
The Solberg family, which owns the airport, maintains it has no immediate plans for an expansion. It believes officials want the bond ordinance to kick start an eminent domain procedure and has accused the township of masking it as an open-space initiative.
The controversial issue has incited heated exchanges between airport supporters, bond advocates and residents confused by the conflicting information. In weeks leading up to the special election, residents have been inundated with mailers and yards have been dotted with signs supporting or decrying the bond ordinance.
"We are extremely disappointed," said co-owner Thor Solberg Jr.
Solberg said after 70 years of being good neighbors that township officials have scared people into believing they have plans to expand.
Adding to some residents’ confusion, Solberg said during a public information session last week he would consider limiting the main runway to officials’ desired 3,735 foot length if it were part of a package that addressed the entire property.
"We have not put any constraint on a solution," he said Tuesday afternoon. "All options are open for consideration."
Any deal would have to be a "comprehensive solution that truly addresses the concerns of the people," he said.
Shamey said Solberg indicated just before the referendum a willingness to preserve the current runway length.
"If the Solbergs assume the same posture regarding no development that they did during their campaign leading up to the referendum, then I’m very hopeful we can come to an agreement," Shamey said.
Residents also had to consider whether they were willing to shoulder a tax burden for the potential purchase. Officials have said if the township receives Green Acres and other funding it expects, a resident whose home is assessed at $400,000 could expect to pay an additional $60 a year in property taxes. Without any funding, that resident could expect to pay $55 per year for three years and $165 per year for 17 years.
The airport’s main runway is 3,000 feet, but a design in an airport master plan lengthens it to 4,890 feet, which officials warn would invite larger jets and increased traffic to the area.
The plan was conditionally approved by the state and federal government in the late 1990’s. An environmental assessment on the design, which was never completed, dismisses the prospect of lengthening it that much.
According to state Department of Transportation spokeswoman Erin Phalon, those documents are out of date and would not be used to render a decision on a new application.
Reporter Andrea Eilenberger can be reached at 610-258-7171 or by e-mail at aeilenberger@express-times.com.
© 2006 The Express-Times.
Date: May 17, 2006 Source: PennLive.com
URL: http://www.pennlive.com/search/index.ssf?/base/news-2/1147840113221190.xml?expresstimes?nnj&coll=2
