Investments

Bank Of America Investment A new open-space plan, calling for the preservation of 5,000 additional acres within five years, should be adopted as part of Holland Township's Master Plan, according to the agricultural advisory committee.

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Investment Opportunity The decision falls to the township planning board, which will hold a public hearing on the plan at the municipal building on Monday, April 12 at 7:30 p.m.

Not quite three years ago, the state paid just under $46, 000 an acre to preserve the Giamarese land in East Brunswick.

Banc Of America Investment The proposal was presented to the planning board at its Feb. 18 meeting.

The GSPT voted to approve $73. to preserve farmland across the state. The county's agricultural development board could receive $1.6 million to preserve 89 acres of farmland off Combs Avenue in Randolph, and $625, 000 to preserve 22 acres of the Jacobson Farm in Chester Township. The GSPT's recommendations now move on to the state Legislature for consideration and action, and if approved would go to Gov. James E. McGreevey for his review and signature.

Banking Investment State Green Acres funding is contingent upon an open-space plan, agricultural advisory committeeman John Gattuso said.

The Township Council has authorized an engineering company to design a comprehensive network of trails through land now preserved as open space. In a unanimous vote, members of the council agreed to pay Schoor DePalma of Brick, Monmouth County, no more than $11, 500 to create a trail map that would span 10 preserved properties totaling several hundred acres. acre Trotter's Crossing tract on Walton Avenue, Mount Laurel Road, acre piece of land.

Investment Solution Strategic An attachment to the proposed plan noted that Holland has 2,096 acres restricted from development or in the process of being preserved.

Investment Banking Services In addition to farmland, the plan calls for preservation of "environmentally sensitive lands, lands of historic significance and scenic beauty, and lands for active and passive recreation."

Bank Investment It plan documents the loss of farmland in Holland: 7,626 acres were devoted to agricultural use in 1993, 7,361 acres in 1997, and 6,521 in 2003, a loss of 1,105 acres, or 14.5 percent, in 10 years.

Alternative Investment According to the proposal, "A successful effort to maintain the viability of agriculture in Holland Township must include a vigorous program of farmland preservation."

Online Investment Services The plan lists three areas identified by the state Department of Environmental Protection as Natural Heritage Priority Sites: a wet meadow off of Javes Road that includes habitat for an endangered plant; shale cliffs along the Delaware River called Milford Bluffs, "an example of the best red shale community in New Jersey," and the Vinces Ravine on the north side of Hawks Schoolhouse Road, a woodland containing endangered plants.

Accompany Essential Investment The township lies within the Highlands region. According to the report, the U.S. Forest Service designated the Highlands as "a landscape of national significance,'" and Musconetcong Mountain as an "'important area because of its forests, water, wildlife and recreational values."

Investment Company A proposed 15-house development on Musconetcong Mountain has been a source of contention within the township for the past two years. A group of residents called the Friends of Holland Highlands oppose the development and recently won several points in their court battle.

Investment Management Solution The plan drafted by the agricultural advisory committee tackles property taxes, stating that single-family houses "do not generate sufficient tax revenues to support the municipal services they require."

Investment Management Services Residences assessed last year at the township "average" of close to $277,000 paid about $3,600 in taxes to local schools. Each new house adds an average of 1.25 students. With per-pupil costs of $8,200, "new residential development imposes a tax burden upon the existing landowners within the community. In contrast...the cost associated with the purchase of open space is much less than the cost of services necessary to support new residential development," the report reads.

Guide Investment Stock The township's population grew more than 6 percent between 1990 and 2002. Projections call for an 8 percent increase, to 5,615, by 2020.

Investment Manual Solution According to the plan, preserving land "will reduce the amount of developable acreage...thereby moderating population growth and the consequent demands on taxpayer-funded public services."

Investment Stock The plans lists open space funding partners such as the county and state and concludes that "every effort must be made to retain Holland Township's present agricultural base of approximately 6,500 acres...this plan calls for the preservation of 5,000 additional acres in the next five years."

Essential Investment Solution By John Monteith
The Hunterdon County Democrat - 2/26/2004

Topic: Highlands

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