Town needs properties for Summerhill project
BY VINCENT TODARO
Staff Writer

EAST BRUNSWICK - Before work to improve Summerhill Road can begin, the town must purchase some land from nearby property owners.

While the county and township plan to make improvements to Summerhill Road between Ryders Lane and Old Stage Road, the township will first have to acquire land from about 20 property owners, according to Greg Potkulski of the township's Planning and Engineering Department.

Potkulski, who spoke during a recent Township Council meeting, said that before the county can go to bid on the work, the township needs to acquire the necessary land. Township officials hope to begin the project in the fall.

The work would include widening and reconfiguring Summerhill Road. No cost estimate has been presented yet.

In response to a question from Councilwoman Catherine Diem, Potkulski said the property appraisals have not yet been determined on the land to be acquired.

Though the council took no action during the meeting, the issue was considered during the discussion segment.

There is the chance some property owners will be opposed to the acquisitions, but Township Attorney Michael Baker said that in about 98 percent of cases, property owners and the township are able to come to terms.

He said the township will work with the county, as is custom when work is needed on a county road such as Summerhill. While the county does the vast majority of work, the municipality's onus is to acquire the needed properties. Such an arrangement has existed in East Brunswick for at least the past 25 years.

Potkulski said most of the road project will be focused on the area of Summerhill Road between Frost Avenue and Old Stage Road.

Council Vice President Donald Klemp said there are properties needed on both sides of Summerhill Road and a lot of the space is part of Frost Woods.

Baker said in some cases the town will have to purchase the entire right of way from property owners, while in other cases only temporary construction easements will be needed. Some of the areas to be acquired are quite small, while others are more than 1,000 square feet.

Negotiations with the property owners can commence after a letter is sent to them with the appraisals.