By PETE WALTON
Neptune City and Monmouth County officials are exploring the possibility of preserving two properties on Riverview Avenue as open space.
“The owner of the property actually reached out to the town because they [are] very sentimental about the property and would rather it not be sold just to put up a couple townhouses or new homes blocking access to the water,” Mayor Andrew Wardell said when the Borough Council met earlier this week.
Wardell said he thought the borough would not be able to afford to purchase the properties at 35 and 37 Riverview Ave., including the Campbell’s Boatyard site.
The mayor said he spoke with Monmouth County Commissioner Director Thomas Arnone at the borough’s Memorial Day parade and Arnone told Wardell that the county may be able to help acquire the properties.
According to the mayor, Arnone said that the county has open space money to do those types of projects. Wardell says Neptune City residents have been contributing to an open space preservation fund for more than a decade.
“Neptune City pays into open space funding but doesn’t get the opportunity to benefit from those funds,” the mayor said.
Representatives of the Monmouth County Park System have met with local officials to explore the possibility of obtaining appraisals for the properties.
Wardell alerted the council to be on the lookout for more possible developments on the matter.
There is a vacancy on the borough Board of Education. Anyone wishing to apply for the post should contact the school office. The deadline for submitting applications is Mon., Sept. 18 at 5 p.m.
The mayor announced that local businesses and professionals have donated funds allowing for a fireworks presentation at the second annual food truck festival at Memorial Park from noon to 9 p.m. on Sat., Sept. 23. Wardell said Neptune will provide its barge so that the fireworks can be launched from the Shark River.