$750K Property Acquisition Finalized In Chatham Township

CHATHAM, NJ — Chatham Township officials recently announced the acquisition of an 18-acre property located on Southern Blvd., commonly known as the Fenske property.

The announcement was made at the Nov. 28 township committee meeting.

According to Mayor Ashley Felice, the acquisition cost the township a total of $750,000; however, $350,000 was donated by the Morris County Open Space Trust Fund.

"After years of diligent negotiations, I am pleased to announce that Chatham Township has entered into a strategic agreement to acquire the approximate 18 acres of land… The acquisition of the Fenske property has been a long-term goal for our community, and tonight we will be introducing two ordinances to finalize the preservation of this property," Felice said.

The Fenske property, located at 422 Southern Boulevard, is next to Nash Field and the Great Swamp, making it an important piece of land for conserving open space in the township.

"This strategic move aligns with our ongoing efforts to enhance the quality of life for current and future generations. By acquiring this property, we are not only securing a valuable green space but also fortifying our commitment to environmental conservation," Felice said. "The proximity to Nash Field and the Great Swamp makes this acquisition a pivotal piece of our community's green infrastructure, providing environmental preservation, supporting biodiversity, and maintaining the scenic beauty that defines Chatham Township."

Some concerns were raised over the use of a bond ordinance to help pay for the acquisition; however, Chatham Township's administrator, Zaid Shehady, explained that the bond was simply a precaution.

"We are not planning to bond anything. However, we don't have all of this cash right now to authorize it because of a cash flow issue, but we are finishing up with this year, and by the time we enter into 2024, which is when we expect the closing to happen, we don't have those funds right now in order to actually appropriate them. This guarantees that we will have that money, but come April or May, whenever we get to closing, we should have that cash flow starting to come in," Shehady said.

Funding for Morris County open space acquisitions and preservation comes from the voter-approved Morris County Open Space & Farmland Preservation Trust Fund, which is generated by a special county tax.

The funding source is also used for farmland and historic preservation, county parkland acquisition, trail development and the purchase of residential properties prone to flooding.

Since 1994, the Morris County Open Space Program has preserved more than 17,800 acres – which is larger than the Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills – with approximately $295 million generated by the county preservation tax approved overwhelmingly by voters in November 1992.

The public will have the opportunity to comment on the ordinances at the Dec. 12 township committee meeting.

To view the full township committee meeting, click here.