Politics & Government
A Week After Asthma Attack, Governor Signs Bills in Hillsborough
Christie signs three Open Space bills at Doyle's Farm after last week's visit postponed.
The signing of three open space and land preservation bills in Hillsborough Wednesday means the township will receive about $675,000 to preserve a 200-acre piece of farmland on Mill Lane.
Gov.Chris Christie visited Doyle’s Farm to sign the three bills, a week after diverted his trip to town.
“This sets up a wonderful opportunity for Hillsborough because it will allow them to save a contiguous piece of property,” Christie said. “We are happy to be able to sign this legislation today and to be able to get this money out to work.
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“I’m so excited that he rescheduled it to come back,” Mayor Gloria McCauley said. “It’s so important to have Open Space legislation passed here in Hillsborough.”
The bill signing was originally scheduled for July 28; however, the governor needed to be transported to Somerset Medical Center while on his way to the event that day.
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The Senate and Assembly accepted the bills, S2859, S2897, and S2585, in early June. Each provides funding for open space, green acres, blue acres and land preservation project spanning most counties in the state.
“While I am not a fan of public debt, the people have made it pretty clear which policies to pursue,” Christie said. “Our job, our fiscal job is to make sure it’s implemented in a fair, effective and efficient manner.”
According to the bill text, S2859 appropriates $45 million from the state’s 2009 Green Acres fund and $12 million from the 2009 Blue Acres fund for state acquisition of land. The bill would require the land to be used for conservation and recreation purposes.
Bill S2858 appropriates $14 million from the 2009 Green Acres Fund and the Garden State Green Acres Preservation Trust Fund for grants to non-profit entities. The entities would be required to use the funds to acquire or develop the lands for recreation and conservation purposes.
Bill S2897 appropriates $23,588,760 from 2009 Farmland Preservation Fund and the Garden State Farmland Preservation Trust Fund to the State Agricultural Development Committee for farmland preservation, according to the bill text.
Those projects include Sourland Mountains aquaduct, where Hillsborough will receive part of the $550,000 allotted to the Delaware and Raritan Greenway Land Trust, $550,000 toward New Jersey Conservation Foundation projects that will involve the Black River Greenway, a portion of the $1 million marked for America Revolution sites, part of the $3 million for natural areas preservation for the Sourland Mountain, and a portion of the $12 million in “Blue Acres” money for Raritan River preservation.
The township currently has about 10,000 acres of preserved land, including the farm where the bill signed was scheduled.
“In Hillsborough, we take big pride in preserving land,” McCauley said. “It’s always been a goal to continue to preserve this land from development.”
The township intends to preserve a 200-acre piece of farmland on Mill Lane, adjacent to Doyle’s Farm using the state funds. The piece of land has not been appraised yet, though the township sent out bids for an appraisal service, McCauley said.
“It’s nice to see that support from the state,” McCauley said. “We have the same goal for preserving the quality of life here in New Jersey.”
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