By Stephen Appezzato
FAIR HAVEN – For years 21 Fair Haven Road, a waterfront property which abuts the municipal dock, was left derelict and abandoned.
However, during its Oct. 10 meeting, the borough council initiated the process to acquire the approximately $1.8 million lot to establish a waterfront park.
Two resolutions passed with a 5-2 vote authorizing the borough to apply for two grants which would cover the majority of the property costs.
The borough will apply for a Municipal Land Preservation Incentive Program (MLPIP) grant from the county, valued at approximately $1 million. This program was created to encourage towns to expand park, preservation and open space opportunities for residents, and will fund up to 75% of the project.
The second grant draws from the state’s Green Acres program and would provide $500,000.
If both grants are approved, the borough would only spend approximately $335,000 out of pocket for the property. This number could increase if each grant is less than anticipated or if unforeseen project costs arise. The borough is authorized to incur the necessary costs of project completion.
The decision to move forward with the project was not unanimous.
Council member Tracy Cole was concerned the resolutions would “flip a switch,” committing taxpayers to potentially unforeseen project costs.
“It’s like a blank check,” Cole said, hesitant to commit to the plan.
Council president and parks and recreation committee vice chair Elizabeth Koch echoed this concern.
“I don’t think that we’ve really explored the associated costs with securing this property,” Koch said.
Cole and Koch implored the council to focus conservation initiatives on existing green space in the borough, such as improving Fair Haven Fields Natural Area or Schwenker’s Pond, instead of taking on a new project.
“I would much rather take care of what we already own than take our residents into a greater expense in maintaining another property,” Koch said.
The rest of the council viewed the decision in a different light.
Taking advantage of the MLPIP and Green Acres grants would pose a unique opportunity for the borough to preserve a $1.8 million property for a fraction of the cost.
“This property – being probably one of the most beautiful locations in Fair Haven – would be an iconic property next to that dock,” said council member Laline Neff.
Council member Chris
Rodriguez said that with good planning and public engagement, “this will turn into something wonderful.”
In passing the resolutions, the borough initiated the acquisition process. Comprehensive environmental and engineering studies of the lot will ensue. The borough will also need to update its Recreation and Open Space inventory with the state.
While in its early stages, plans call for the existing abandoned waterfront house to be demolished to build a park.
In his decision to vote in favor of the resolutions, Mayor Josh Halpern looked at the long-term impact the proposed park would have on residents.
“This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to acquire a property, adjacent to our beloved municipal dock, that will provide waterfront access and riparian rights for generations to come,” Halpern said in an email to The Two River Times.
Halpern said open space preservation is a “forward-thinking long-term consideration” and he is thrilled for the potential of the lot.
For years Fair Haven’s government has loosely considered acquiring the waterfront parcel. The council’s recent actions represent an increasing concern for open space preservation to benefit future generations.
The article originally appeared in the October 19 – 25, 2023 print edition of The Two River Times.
