Pulda family joins the fight against housing
Say they want to sell their farm to N.B. Twp. to avoid high-density units
BY JENNIFER AMATO Staff Writer

NORTH BRUNSWICK - Members of the Pulda family have joined the protest against the development of the Pulda farm into high-density housing.

Leslie Pulda Arango and her son, Nicholas Geremia, 21, recently announced their affiliation with the board of trustees of North Brunswick Residents Against High Density Housing (NBR). The group is engaged in protracted litigation over plans approved by the North Brunswick Planning Board in 2005 to build a 325- home complex of age-restricted housing.

According to a statement released by the group, Arango said the farm, which is located along Route 130 and Georges Road, has been in her family for most of the 1900s. She recalled playing with her friends around the pond as a child and remembers a wood-burning stove that was used to bake homemade bread.

The farmhouse dates back to the 18th century and the site is a possible slave burial ground. There is still fresh corn growing every year.

She said she believes her father, who passed away in 2001, would have wanted the property to be preserved for the public. She said it has been an enjoyable place for her extended family to gather and relax.

However, in years past, township officials said there was no choice about developing the land other than taking it by condemnation, because the property owners would not sell. They said the housing project could generate $2.45 million for the local school district without adding schoolage children, and there would be a donation of $3,500 per unit for the township's Senior Building Fund.

However, NBR formed to oppose the development. The citizens group believes the community is still behind preserving the last farm in North Brunswick as open space.

From a legal perspective, they have taken issue with the zoning of the property being changed from residential to planned adult community. Although the lawyer for Edgewood Properties, the developer of the 67-acre farm, had said his firm made an agreement to settle the issue, the Superior Court of New JerseyAppellate Division reinstated the lawsuit brought forth by NBR last year.

According to North Brunswick Business Administrator Robert Lombard, the reported owners are William and Walter Pulda, and Edgewood Properties is the contract purchaser. However, the township is not entitled on a continuing basis to know the present status of the contract, according to law, and until the township is notified, the option is unknown as to whether the township can, in fact, even consider the purchase of the property, Lombard said.

However, NBR maintains that the property has not yet been sold, and that

the family once again wishes to work out a deal with the township.

"Having the Pulda family involved in this project really brings this full circle. That family understands what a public treasure this property represents and what a shame it would be if it became residentially developed," said attorney Stuart Lieberman.

Arango could not be reached for further comment.

In the meantime, NBR is seeking new members and donations from the community in order to pursue the fight against the development. Anyone interested in joining can visit www.SavethePulda- Farm.org