

READINGTON TWP. — About 500 people attended a public hearing tonight on an ordinance to allow the township to buy Solberg Airport and convert it to a municipal operation.

It took four hours to hear those who wanted to speak to Mayor Julia Allen and the Township Committee.

None of them voiced support for the ordinance, which was opposed by the family that has run the airport for more than 70 years. Thor Solberg, the fourth generation in America, was there in a baby carrier strapped to mom Ashleigh.

A number of pilots praised the operation of the airport and many people said they enjoyed the airport and other Solberg lands as they remain today.

Some offered suggestions to help end an effort that is at least 15 years long and may have cost local taxpayers $5 million, although a large share of that is interest that could be recouped because $21.7 million is in an escrow account.

One attorney suggested that the township instead seek the "right to first refusal," meaning that, should the Solberg Family decide to sell any or all of its 726 acres, members would give the township the chance to be first in line.

Another attorney said that a true accounting of legal expenses could be had by asking the attorney handling the litigation for the township for a copy of all bills.

The township has said bill payments aren't available prior to mid-2005 because the state didn't require storage in Readington indefinitely.

Many voiced opposition to condemnation — eminent domain. The reasons for doing so ranged from the principle of property rights to the cost of condemnation to the belief that the airport and surrounding open space lands aren't under imminent threat of development.

Mayor Julia Allen said that the outright purchase of all 726 acres would cost $23 million.

Allen said, as a former Bridgewater resident: "I know the process of suburban sprawl. Road are widened streetlights" are installed, along with "a gas station at the corner.

"Oh my God, if we don't do something to preserve it, it will be gone," is how she described her feelings on what has become an extended legal battle, with courts repeated ruling against the township.

Allen said, "You would think we would be able to work out a solution if we have a common goal."

At about 11:15 p.m. Committeeman Tom Auriemma made a motion to adopt the ordinance and then voted "yes" along with Allen and committeewomen Beatrice Muir and Betty Ann Fort.

Committeeman Frank Gatti acknowledged the economic downturn and other changes since township voters in May 2006 approved borrowing $22 million to buy the land and/or development rights to Solberg lands.

Then he loudly and clearly voted "no."

Fort promised the crowd that she would push hard for a committee to work toward a negotiated settlement.

The condemnation couldn't move forward without the court's approval.

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