January 2019
www.branchburgnews.com
Freeholders & Branchburg Township Announce Addition to South Branch Greenway A Nov. 12 real estate closing was held on a 3.68-acre parcel of land where a popular flea market once operated. The property was subdivided and a 2.8-acre parcel was deeded to the Somerset County Open Space Preservation Program; the other parcel containing a little less than an acre was deeded to Branchburg Township. Located at the intersection of Main Street and Elm Street in the Neshanic Station section of the township, the property is the site of the former Neshanic Flea Market. The county and township partnered to purchase the property from the estate of Mary Stone Weiss for $350,000 with each entity contributing half of the purchase price. The county acquired the vacant portion of the property while the township acquired the parcel containing the residence. “This is a key addition to the county’s expanding South Branch Greenway,” said Freeholder Brian G. Gallagher, county open space liaison. “The preservation of this property will provide parking for fishermen and will ultimately serve as a trail head for the trail network being developed along the South Branch of the Raritan River. “The acquisition of the Weiss property is another in a long line of successful partnerships between Somerset County and its municipalities,” he said. “Preservation projects such as this could not be accomplished without the groups working together to contribute resources and funding toward the common goal of preserving the rich cultural, environmental and recreational charac-
The house on the former Neshanic Flea Market property in Branchburg will be auctioned and its historic character preserved, as part of a recent Somerset County/Branchburg Township open space acquisition.
ter of Somerset County.” The property was operated as the Neshanic Flea Market by Weiss and her family since the 1970s and was a popular weekend destination for treasure hunters and those looking to enjoy the scenic Somerset County countryside. The 19th-century Italianate residence served as the family home and contained a snack bar for the flea market. Branchburg Township had the foresight to preserve the historic character of Neshanic Station and will ensure that the residence remains and is restored. “The township is very concerned with preserving our historic homes and the character of our villages,” said James Schworn, Branchburg’s mayor in 2018. “With the help of
Winter Recreation Program Brochure is now Online
The Branchburg Recreation Department has published its winter program offerings. Registration began on Dec. 17. To see or download a copy of the brochure on the web, visit http://www.branchburg. nj.us/departments/recreation/index.php. The Facebook link for Recreation is https://www.facebook.com/BranchburgRec/
the county, the township has acquired this home with the intent it be auctioned to the highest bidder and used as a single-family residence. The home will come with a deed restriction that will require the exterior be maintained with the historic character it has now. “Through this county/township partnership, will we preserve a historic house, create a walking path for the enjoyment of county residents while also offsetting the cost of the acquisition,” the mayor said. “A win-win for all.” The South Branch Greenway is a long-term county greenway initiative intended to create a continuous open space network along the South Branch of the Raritan River. This network will link to other portions of the Somerset County park system and provide connections to local open space initiatives within the county. The greenway ultimately will extend from the confluence of the North Branch and Main Branch of the Raritan River to the border of Hunterdon County. Somerset County began the preservation of the South Branch Greenway in Hillsborough and Branchburg in the mid-1990s. With the addition of the Weiss property, the greenway now exceeds 670 acres.
County to Begin New Recycling Routine in Part of Branchburg On Jan. 14, Somerset County will deliver new 65-gallon recycling containers to about 1,000 Branchburg residences in an area roughly north of Route 202, south of Station Road, east of Readington Road and west of River Road. The county refers to the containers as “totes.” Each residence will receive two totes – one with a lime-green lid, and one wih a yellow lid. The lids are attached and the totes have wheels to make them easy to move around. For Branchburg it is the beginning of the county’s Dual Stream Recycling Program, which will be rolled out eventually to other areas of town. Totes with green lids are for paper and cardboard recyclables; totes with yellow lids are for metal, glass and plastic recyclables. Explanatory documents will be dropped off along with the totes.
In recycling use, the totes will be picked up by a state-of-the-art truck that automates the lifting and loading process. The process will be faster and also reduce workforce injuries, particularly to the back and shoulder areas of workers. The first actual recycling pickup using the new system will take place on the regular recycling day of Jan. 28, two weeks after the totes are dropped off. Residents may keep their current 20-gallon recycling buckets for any extra recyclable material, or contact the recycling division to have the old buckets picked up. The documents delivered with the new totes are expected to answer most questions and concerns. The Somerset County Recycling Division can be contacted at 732469-3363.
The artwork seen on the right comes from the information that will be handed out wth the new totes. Note the green lid on the left, and the yellow lid on the right. In summary, totes with green lids will be used for paper and cardboard recyclables; containers with yellow lids will be used for metal, glass and plastic recyclables.
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