It's not too late to save North Brunswick's Pulda farm

With the lack of information to the contrary, we will have to assume that it will only be a matter of time before the bulldozers come to the Pulda farm in North Brunswick. But all is not lost - it still is not over. The township has just been handed another silver bullet to prevent this from happening.

During the two-plus years of discussions, meetings and arguments about development of the Pulda farm, one unanimous theme was always present. Each and every person, regardless of their viewpoint - except of course the builder - agreed the best use of the land would be as open space. But at the time, the township administration was unwilling to invoke eminent domain against the Pulda family, which would have been the only means to save the farm as open space.

However, the New Jersey Supreme Court set a precedent by ruling in a 6-1 decision on Dec. 7 by affirming the Appellate Division opinion in Mount Laurel vs. MiPro Homes, LLC. This precedent allows towns to use eminent domain to obtain land for open space from developers, even if preliminary construction has already started.

So let Edgewood properties purchase the Pulda farm and simply take advantage of this precedent. In this manner the land is taken not from "a poor farmer," but from a multimillion-dollar corporation. No construction means zero impact on the schools. Also, there should no longer be the concern to please a certain political power broker. He is currently in jail.

Yes, there will likely be a small impact on our municipal tax rate. But our taxes are already so outrageously high, it probably would not even be noticed. At least it would be for a good cause. As was indicated many times before, it is the North Brunswick Township administration that has all the power to prevent the Pulda farm from being destroyed. Don't let yet another opportunity to save it pass us by!

If there must be construction, high density housing, etc., let it be at the proposed transit village. This location can properly handle any added traffic, and is not the last large tract of pristine land remaining in North Brunswick.

Keith Silverman

North Brunswick