Town One Step From Hillcrest Ave. Preservation

The town has moved one step closer to preserving a two-acre property on Hillcrest Avenue, that is expected to be used for passive recreation.

The council voted 5-0 at its Aug. 16 meeting to introduce an ordinance to approve the purchase of 20 Hillcrest Ave. for $350,000. Council members Anthony Cattano and James Smith were not in attendance.

The ordinance is expected to be approved at the next Town Council meeting, set for Sept. 13.

The two-acre residential property, which has a currently-unoccupied house, was recommended for preservation last year by Town Council and the Morristown Environmental Commission. The county funds for the property, totaling $254,000, were approved by the Morris County Board of Chosen Freeholders last year. The town also was awarded $100,000 in State Green Acres funding for the project, which was inserted into the 2011 budget Tuesday night as a "Special Item of Revenue."

Active proponents for preserving the property, including Environmental Commission member Samantha Rothman, have said the 20 Hillcrest Ave. property is situated on a steep slope and would serve as a groundwater recharge for the area.

Rothman noted about Morristown's robust housing market, despite the downturned economy, as well as the overall advantages to living here. "I believe our green, open spaces play a large role in the desire of people to relocate here from places like Hoboken or Jersey City," she said. "The administration is sensitive that we need to balance development projects with continuing to preserve strategic open space parcels. The Hillcrest property is a great example of this type of comprehensive planning and I'm thankful that I could help make it happen."

Mayor Tim Dougherty, who began his first term as mayor in January 2010, said this was his first open space purchase in Morristown as mayor (). "I'm excited," he said. "It will benefit that neighborhood and the town."