Township Swaps Land To Consolidate Property Near Senior Center

Although there are currently no plans for expansion, Bridgewater is preparing for a swap of properties that could benefit the senior center if it ever wants to expand in size.

In a 3-1 vote, the Bridgewater Township Council approved an ordinance Aug. 16 to allow a swap of lands located near the Senior Center, on Somerville Road.

"This is a continuation of the consolidation of land north of Somerville Road," said Township Administrator Jim Naples when the ordinance was initially introduced in July. "We have acquired a number of vacant parcels there, and this is a further acquisition of land."

Naples, in a separate interview, said the township was approached by resident Tom Genova, who owns a 112,020-square-foot property near the senior center. Genova, Naples said, offered the property to the township in exchange for a 106,000-square-foot property on Somerville Road.

"He was giving us parcels near the senior center, and we gave what we own on the other side," Naples said.

After an appraisal Genova had performed on the land, it was also agreed he would give the township an additional $168,000 to make the swap equal, Naples said.

In July, Genova—of Presidents Drive and owner of Somerset Heights that had control of the parcel of land—spoke before the council, and said he believed the situation was a win for everyone.

"I have been acquiring land with my partner, and I approached the town with a plan to swap land to consolidate holdings," he said. "The township would not have to pay legal or other fees."

Councilman Howard Norgalis said he did not know how this move would benefit the town, and was the dissenting vote when the ordinance was voted on during the Aug. 16 meeting.

But Naples said Genova's property was looked at by the Open Space Advisory Committee, which supported the land swap.

"The Open Space Advisory Committee said we should collect as many parcels as we can in the event we need them for future expansions," Naples said, adding that the senior center has no current plans to expand, but, with additional land available, the option could be explored in the future.

The township could not, Naples said, expand on the parcel of land it gave up in the swap, and there were no plans to build anything on that site.

"The side we gave up is not contiguous to the senior center, and is surrounded by homes," he said.

Basically, Naples said, the township is just looking to collect individual properties in that area if possible for any future projects that may arise.

"About 99 percent of that land is vacant," he said, adding that another swap could happen in the future, but none are currently planned. "Some of the properties there are owned by the township, some are privately owned."

Council President Matthew Moench said he supports the swap and the acquisition of the new property close to the senior center.

"I think it furthers our efforts to consolidate property by the senior center," he said.