Cutter Lane, Brick, N.J. (Credit: Google Maps)
Brick has given away a 25-foot fire easement it no longer needs and gained a larger open space lot. The two moves – which are not related – were approved at the June 9 meeting of the township council.
The 25 foot-wide fire easement, located between residential lots on Cutter Lane and Bay Lane in the Mantoloking Shores section, is a relic from years past. Before city water flowed to township homes, the easement was used as a way to allow firefighters to connect their pumpers to draw water from Barnegat Bay.
“Now that we have city water, we don’t need it,” said Councilman Paul Mummolo.
|
|
The easement was officially vacated to the township and conveyed to resident Anthony Mezzatesta, the next door neighbor who voluntarily repaired the bulkheading at the township-owned site at his own expense.
“The resident fixed the bulkheads, which saved the township a considerable amount of money,” Mummolo said.
The site was essentially worthless as far as real estate went since it was too small to support the construction of a home.
“It couldn’t be sold to anyone,” said Township Attorney Kevin Starkey. “The township couldn’t sell it and make money on it. We’re probably recouping money here because that bulkhead probably would have been costly for the township.”
Township Gains Open Space
The unrelated property which was conveyed to the township for use as open space is located off Mantoloking Road, adjacent to the Edwin B. Forsythe wildlife refuge and abuts another township-owned plot of land, Mummolo said. The land is located on the eastern portion of Mantoloking Road, several lots west of the Mantoloking Bridge.
The land is considered wetlands and is not buildable. It had been assessed at $44,000 and carried $925.17 annual tax bill. The property was donated by Betty Simon Trustee, LLC.
