Township Recoups Funds for Open Space Purchase

Nearly a year after completing the paperwork, Warren Township officials learned this week a grant application with the state was approved.

That means the township will be getting $450,000 from the Planning Incentive grant program. The money will be used first to pay any remaining notes on the 92-acre Williams tract purchased in 2006, according to Township Adminstrator Mark Krane.

"We're very pleased with this," he said, adding the township has received previous reimbursements on the project also. "The Planning Incentive program has been very useful for us."

The land is located along Saw Mill Road, between Reinman Road and Interstate 78, from Saw Mill to Crown Drive. Krane said the land was under consideration for development before the township purchased it, with as many as 20 houses potentially built there.

Now, it's a area marked as a "wildlife safety zone," suitable for hiking and photography.

"It's a really pretty piece, it's got streams through it and it's very nice," Krane said. "This worked out to be a good project for us."