Letter to the Editor: Freehold Borough Sells Property Near Covenhoven House

There have been some questions concerning the sale of property located on West Main Street, next to the .  

This lot was created when Reid Way was built. The developer used it for construction access and gave it to the Borough upon completion. It has a large utility easement down the middle and is an unbuildable lot. 

The homeowner on the east side of the lot has been maintaining it for many years, cutting the grass, etc.  It is surplus property not needed for public use which would have cost the Borough to maintain if the neighbor had not. 

The neighbor requested that the Borough sell the lot to them. Per law, the property was offered to the contiguous owners, the and the neighbor who has been maintaining it. Both expressed an interest. 

The next step was to adopt an ordinance authorizing the sale of the property and offering it to the highest bidder among the contiguous owners. The ordinance was properly noticed and published. 

The homeowner who has been maintaining the lot was the high bidder.

Several people noticed and commented that trees in that area have been recently cut down. The trees were on the property of the Historical Association and were removed by the Historical Association as part of a comprehensive plan for site work and preservation of the house.

We have been assured by the Historical Association that site work will continue and the Covenhoven House and its surroundings will continue to be a jewel in our historic borough. The Historical Association’s work will take months but will be completed by year’s end.

Nolan Higgins

Mayor, Borough of Freehold