TOMS RIVER – Ocean County expects to buy 73 acres of environmentally sensitive land that straddles the border of
Lacey and Manchester townships under its Natural Lands Trust Fund program.
“This piece of property sits next to 46 acres that we have already preserved under our natural lands program,”
said Freeholder John C. Bartlett Jr., who serves as liaison to the county’s natural lands program. “In the bigger picture
it will become part of thousands of acres of combined state, county and municipal properties preserved within a mile
radius.”
The property is located along Lacey Road in Lacey Township with about one acre located in Manchester Township.
The Davenport Branch of the Toms River runs through the property and connects to a lake on the adjacent land.
The 73 acres also is adjacent to 17 acres of open space owned by Lacey Township.
“All totaled, the combined acreage of open space in this area of Ocean County now spans way beyond where the eye can see,”
said Freeholder Director Joseph H. Vicari. “This piece of property certainly meets the county’s criteria for preservation.”
Philip Martone of Kearny owns the property. The county expects to purchase the acreage for $555,000.
A public hearing on the purchase has been scheduled for the freeholder board’s regular meeting at 4 p.m., April 2 in Room
119 of the Ocean County Administration Building.
“This property has some potential for residential building and with this purchase it will remain open space forever,”
Bartlett said.
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