Manchester Mayor Mike Fressola Doing All He Can For Open Space Acquisition As Promised!

After A Gangbusters Win In Last Year's Non-Partisan Local Election, Manchester Mayor Mike Fressola Is Doing Everything Possible To Acquire The Heritage Minerals Tract

Mayor Fressola Won Convincingly In 2002 May Election, And One Of The Issues Was The 7000 Acre Heritage Tract He Wants The State To Preserve For Open Space And Possible Wind Driven Energy Production; Now, Senator Len Connors Has Introduced Bill To Authorize DEP Acquisition Of The Heritage Property

Manchester Township - The town council recently adopted a resolution endorsing legislation which would require the state department of Environmental Protection to acquire the 7000 acre Heritage Minerals tract.

The legislation introduced by Senator Leonard T. Connors (R-9th) would preserve the huge tract, on both sides of route 70, for open space, with part of the tract possibly used for wind driven energy production.

We have long believed this tract should be preserved in the public interest, said Mayor Mike Fressola, adding that the land is an extremely important natural resource that should be in the public domain.

Mayor Fressola, in the first year of his second term after a convincing win in the township's non-partisan election last May, has pushed the Heritage tract acquisition for many years, and is prepared to see the project through no matter how long it takes.

The mayor noted that Governor Jim McGreevey announced recently that he would make a battle against sprawl a central theme of the second year of his administration.

Heritage Tract Acquisition Would Stop Unnecessary
And Unwanted Growth

The Heritage tract acquisition would be an ideal component on this theme because it would stop unnecessary and unwanted growth in addition to preserving the largest and most pristine aquifer in New Jersey, the Mayor said.

Mayor Fressola added that he is fascinated with the possibility that the Heritage tract could be used as a pilot location for a wind-driven turbine project where low cost electricity could be produced.

Geography Appears To Be Just Right For Wind Turbines

The geography appears to be just right for a project of this type, he said,

Such a project would be both practical and environmentally sound, Fressola told the Ocean County Observer, adding that he intends to discuss it with McGreevey and 9th district legislators.

The turbines could generate enough low priced electricity to serve residents in the township and the surrounding communities, Mayor Fressola said.

Click here for previous story on Mayor Fressola's convincing win last May.

Click here for previous story on Mayor Fressola's designation (with the late Ray Noll, also of Manchester) as two of the Top Ten individuals most responsible for the success of the government change referendum in Dover Township.