UPPER POTTSGROVE-In their ongoing effort to guard against overdevelopment in the Township as well as to maintain its rural flavor, the majority of commissioners–Don Read, Hank Llewellyn, and Trace Slinkerd–voted on March 18th to purchase 9.25 acres of land located at 2290 Gilbertsville Rd. The land, situated at the intersection of Gilbertsville Rd and Moyer Rd, brings the Township’s total property portfolio to 339 acres. The cost of this particular property was $500,000, a value that is consistent with the land appraisal. The sale closed on April 2nd.
Before the Board of Commissioner’s meeting on March 18th, all five commissioners were in favor of the purchase but, during the actual vote after the public hearing, Commissioners Cathy Paretti and Dave Waldt flipped and voted no on the acquisition. Paretti cited the reason for her no vote was that she felt the Township should buy the ground through the general fund rather than through the open space account and build the new Township building there. Waldt gave no explanation for his action and the board president had to ask him to repeat his vote because it was inaudible.
The decision to build the new office at the Evans site was made long before the Gilbertsville property was available. Additionally, the building team has already done the majority of the engineering and design work for the selected site.
Commenting on the acquisition and vote, Commissioner Don Read stated “The Evans Rd site is still the best location throughout the Township regardless of the availability of any other ground and the Township has put a lot of work into its design as well. As for our new property, the site itself was a great candidate for a subdivision including all the houses and cars that come with it. With this purchase, this threat is removed, and it adds to our overall defense of further overdevelopment.” Overdevelopment is a major issue. The Township is currently in a legal battle with a developer over plans, if allowed, would add 400 plus houses, over 71 acres, in the community.
The commissioners worked closely with the Open Space and Recreation (OS&R) Committee on whether to purchase the land. Asked about the purchase, OS&R Chairman Greg Churach said “This property almost fell prey to a developer that wanted to build as many townhomes on the land as possible. Our committee unanimously agreed this would not be in the best interest of maintaining the rural character of the Township. When the developer abandoned their plans to proceed, the Township submitted an offer the following day. Closing occurred several weeks later. Preservation of the land was our primary focus, but the property also came with a house built in 1850 that offers several possibilities. We are currently seeking grant opportunities for possible restoration of the structure.”
Commissioner Hank Llewellyn commented, “The location of this property, across from the recreational/ball field, in close proximity to the Arboretum, as well as a gateway into our Township, makes it a prime asset for the Township. A future restoration and make-use of the historical building that sits on this land will benefit all the residents. The acquisition of this property had no negative bullet points and a very positive one; it will keep it out of the hands of builders.”
The Township receives revenues from an earned income tax of .25% to pay off debt related to land purchases or buy land outright. The law allows the Township to use a portion of this tax revenue or other revenue sources to improve and develop these acquired properties as well. With these funds, the Township has enhanced the trail network and added other amenities. As an example of usage, in 2010 the then Board of Commissioners approved the placement of a cell tower on the Evans Rd tract–the same place where the new Township building is going–to enhance revenue.
In 2022, the Township paid off all debt through the general fund including a bond issued to purchase property within the Township. This saved the Township $247,817 in interest.