Community Corner
Protest Held Against Proposed Land Sale at Cross Farm Saturday
Concerned citizens gathered on a snowy morning at Cross Farm on Saturday, Feb. 11 to rally against a possible land sale of the historic farm. Michael Rauchwerk, a participant, contributed this report.
Despite cold and snow, about 40 concerned citizens attended a rally at Cross Farm in Holmdel to protest a proposed legislation that would permit Holmdel's governing body to sell open space, including parts of Cross Farm, to help cover a $2.5 million budget shortfall in 2012.
The Township Committee said they intend to sell the land as a "Plan B" in case a special townwide referendum asking for voter approval on a tax increase fails.
Rally attendees met at Cross Farm Park on Long Bridge and Willow Brook Roads to walk together to the historic house and barn to hear remarks. They were led by Township Committeeman Larry Fink, who voted against introducing the legislation to sell township-owned land to balance the budget.
Find out what's happening in Holmdel-Hazletwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Some carried homemade signs saying, “Open Space Not for Sale” or “Save Holmdel Open Space.” Some carried colorful lawn signs donated by Kim Weigand Casola, the owner of preserved farmland in Holmdel, saying “Holmdel’s Land is Not for Sale”.
At the barns, Holmdel High School student Noah Rauchwerk sang classic folk songs written to increase awareness of preserving the earth: “Where Have All the Flowers Gone” by Pete Seeger, and “Big Yellow Taxi” by Joni Mitchell.
Find out what's happening in Holmdel-Hazletwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Bill Cahill, President of Friends of Holmdel Open Space (FOHOS), a 45-year township resident, spoke of what he called the "false choices" the town has been given by the Township Committee -- to sell land or raise taxes due to a “crisis that has been manufactured." He was critical of some of the actions past administrations had taken to stave off the problem. He said, "We've got to get out and tell them we have to figure out how to live within our means," he said.
Tony Cooper, president of Citzens for Informed Land Use (CILU), spoke of what he called the short-sightedness of the proposed land sale and the effect of development on our water supply. He then went into detail on ways the township could cut expenses and balance the budget.
Former Holmdel Township Committeeman Tony Orsini spoke of the importance of saving and protecting the land. “We do not own the land. The land owns us,” he said, adding that Holmdel residents are the caretakers of the land for the next generation. "We did not work so hard, for so long, to give our time and money for open space for others to use it as their 'land piggy bank' when they don't want to put in the time and effort to make the budget cuts that are necessary. The encroachment on open lands for a quick buck will stop right here, appropriately in Holmdel Township, which stands at the crown jewel of Monmouth County," he said.
The crowd then walked to the rock with the embedded plaque placed there in 1979 by the Township Committee and the owners who sold the land to the town.
“Cross Farm Lands, Purchased by Holmdel Township to Preserve Farmland for the Benefit of its Residents Fulfilling the Dream of William Barclay Harding.”
Larry Fink spoke there of the history of the historic, rural farm. His research said that it dates back to 1677 when it was called the Smock Farm. He said it is rich in Revolutionary War history. A reference in a book said that a rallying point for the Middletown Militia met north of Hop Brook, where Cross Farm is today. He suggested the group get it immediately listed on the National Register of Historic Places for better protection of the land.
He also read a letter by Henry Cross III, who grew up on the farm and is the grandson of Henry Cross, speaking of the importance of saving the land from development.
Fink also stressed the importance of farming to our community, in the past and present, and the linkage to other natural resources for the benefit of people. Fink, a Department of Environmental Protection official, suggested the township place a permanent agricultural easement on the land that would allow it to be used for farming development opportunities that yield some revenue.
A township hearing will be held on February 23 at Town Hall to vote on two ordinances authorizing the Township Committee to have the ability to sell less than 12 acres of the 107-acre Cross Farm on the Colts Neck border, and wooded lots on Plum Lane, near the Hazlet border.
Residents concerned about a possible land sale have been directed by the Township Committee to voice their opinion by emailing info@holmdeltownship-nj.com and participating in the public comments session of the meeting.
Information is available on the Facebook Community Page
“Save Cross Farm & Holmdel Open Space.”