To the Editor:

In his Republican primary election flyer Township Committee member Ed Burdzy groused about the preservation of 90 acres of natural land on Shire Road. Mr. Burdzy complained, "Opting for Green Acres funding to purchase the property placed us in a situation in which we are unable to do anything with the property, due to Green Acres restrictions, but have assumed significant liabilities without having control over the property."

Although the Phillipsburg Riverview Organization (PRO), a local land trust with a state Green Acres grant, and Hunterdon County provided 80% of the purchase price of this Shire Road property, and Holland Township gave only 20%, Holland officials insisted on taking full ownership of the property at closing, or they would not participate. PRO offered to manage and maintain the property, as we do with other preserved properties, but, again, Holland officials refused.

The principle reason PRO and local citizens worked so hard to see this land preserved was because Holland’s Planning Board, including Mr. Burdzy, had approved a major subdivision with 15 McMansions, wells and septic systems to be built on this mountaintop site. This dangerous approval was granted despite the fact that the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture rated the soils severe for septic systems, and it was scientifically demonstrated by the N.J. Dept. of Environmental Protection that the public drinking water supply, serving hundreds of households as well as the Holland Elementary School (kindergarten through 8th grades), would be contaminated within two years of construction.

Contrary to Mr. Burdzy’s complaint, protecting the local water supply is doing something very valuable with the property. I shudder to think what Mr. Burdzy would do with the property if Green Acres rules requiring it be maintained in its natural state did not prevent him.

Mike King, Chairperson,

Phillipsburg Riverview Organization