Preservation group opposes study offer

June 27, 2008 at 7:31 am

Preserve Historic Hackettstown is fighting a developer's offer to pay for a rezoning study of the Bergen Tool site.

The group recently obtained a $5,000 grant so the town wouldn't have to accept money from Ray Rice, who has a contract to buy the property. Rice has offered to pay for the $6,000 to $7,000 study to speed up redevelopment of the 11-acre Main Street site.

Town council wants to move ahead with the study of the former Bergen Machine and Tool Co. site but hasn't had money to pay for it.

Preserve Historic Hackettstown made its offer Monday before town council to pay for the study. A representative of the group, Lynne Haberkern, said she was disappointed council didn't agree outright to take the offer. She was told the group could conduct its study as well, but that council was still considering Rice's offer.