Committeeman Green Hits Holmdel Plan to Sell Open Space

Committeeman and candidate for the open seat on the Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders Ryan Green issued a press release stating his surprise that the Holmdel Township Committee has introduced an ordinance this January which would allow land owned by Holmdel to be sold in order to diminish the projected $2 million budget deficit for this year. Specifically, Green is concerned that the ordinance includes the sale of land paid for with Green Acres funds.

Holmdel Township Committeeman Larry Fink voted "no" to the ordinance, which was introduced to the committee on Jan. 3, and four committeemembers voted "yes".

"To learn that the Holmdel Township Committee would consider selling one of our most valued resources in Monmouth County, open space, is very disappointing," Green said in the press release. "I have a strong record of preserving open space, as I believe it improves our quality of life. I will never support selling any of it."

The release references a Holmdel Patch article, which states that the land that may possibly be for sale includes a ten-acre section of Cross Farm, which was purchased partially with Green Acres Program funds,  and three wooded lots on Plum Lane, which can be sold to a housing developer, according to the Holmdel Township Administrator.

Green asserts in the release that land purchased by governing bodies, especially with Green Acres funding, should be preserved as open space; since joining the Manalapan Township Committee, Green has been a leader in preserving open space, the release said. He said he is troubled that selling land is a short-term solution to deal with the budget deficit in Holmdel.

"In order to address budget deficits, we need long-term solutions," Green said. "We need to prioritize what services are being provided, reduce spending, and find new shared services agreements that can save taxpayer dollars. Once that land is sold, it's unlikely that Monmouth County will ever get it back."

The public hearing on the Holmdel ordinance is scheduled for January 19, 2012.