Readington, Solbergs at odds over future of airport

By Conor Greene

Both the township and the Solberg family are working hard to sway public opinion with the public hearing on a $22 million bond ordinance for the purchase of Solberg Airport approaching.

The public hearing and vote on the proposed bond is set for Monday's Township Committee meeting at 7:30 p.m. in the Municipal Building. The move comes on the heels of the state's withdrawal of a $22 million offer, which the Solberg family rejected.

Thor Solberg Jr. commissioned a survey of 300 township residents on July 28 to try to gauge where the public stands on the possible acquisition. In a press release on the poll results, he said it "revealed that taxpayers vehemently oppose Readington's plan to adopt a bond ordinance that would allow spending tens of millions of dollars to take over the airport."

In response, Mayor Frank Gatti on Friday sent a letter to all township residents -- paid for by the township -- informing them of the hearing and the committee's strategy in moving forward with the possible purchase. "The Committee is hopeful that it can put itself in a position to offer the Solberg Aviation Co. a cash purchase without contingencies," he wrote. "The township's goal would be to arrive at an agreement that is mutually positive."

The poll, conducted by Basswood Research of Washington, D.C, shows 77% of respondents would prefer that the airport remain privately owned and operated. In addition, 82% would support a local law requiring a public vote before the township could spend more than $1 million to purchase or condemn a local business.

"I'm extremely pleased by these results," Mr. Solberg said. "Hopefully our elected officials will give the people an opportunity to be heard on this issue and then respect the will of the majority of their constituents."

"We don't have any intention of selling the property to the township, period, no matter what (their offer) is," he said in an interview. He hopes the committee will "abandon any attempt to forcibly take land away from my family."

The Solbergs said two appraisals of the 730-acre property several years ago placed its value at more than $40 million. Given how far apart the two sides appear to be, there is speculation that the Township Committee would use its right of eminent domain to acquire the land.

Earlier this year the township hired the law firm of McKirdy & Riskin for $250 an hour to work on land condemnation and acquisition, but Mayor Gatti said it wasn't hired to deal with any particular property. "It's a professional service contract pertaining to potential litigation," he said at the time.

Mr. Solberg called the possibility of the township moving forward with condemnation proceedings "unconscionable and un-American." He also cautioned that proceeding in this way would "cut off many of the funding sources" the township values. He added that once they embark down that path, they are bound to the value that the court places on the property, no matter how high it is.

Mayor Gatti said he doesn't expect the municipal tax rate or debt to be affected by a purchase because of potential funding through programs like the state Green Acres program or the Garden State Preservation Trust.

The township has maintained all along that "this committee has never discussed eminent domain," according to Mayor Gatti. However, he has been reluctant to rule it out. "That is not what my goal is, but if in two months from now we find out that the airport is (valued) at $40 million, we would reassess our position and probably back off. However, if our price is correct and the Solbergs aren't amenable, then the committee would have to assess our position at that time."

Copyright © Hunterdon County Democrat.

Date: August 11, 2005 Source: NJ.com
URL: http://www.nj.com/news/hunterdon/index.ssf?/base/news-0/1123788736324840.xml&coll=12