Mendham Borough Buys 11-Acre Scott Farm For $445K

MENDHAM, N.J. – For 30 years the 11-acre tract of land at 88 Mountainside Road has been eyed for open space preservation.

And just as 2015 comes to a close, Mendham Borough officials have made the move of purchasing the land.

The borough acquired the Scott Farm land for $445,000 recently. The parcel connects the borough’s Mountain Valley Park, Biarbor Arboretum preserve, and dedicated open space areas in the Mendham Commons.

“Scott Farm is an outstanding Open Space acquisition for the Borough because it has so many positive aspects,” noted Mayor Neil Henry. “It provides a critical corridor connecting other Open Space assets within Mendham Borough; it will in the future provide residents with a loop walking trail around the property perimeter connecting with Patriots Path; and it helps to protect the exceptional quality of the Northern Branch of the Raritan River and surrounding freshwater wetlands.”

The funds came from three sources: 25-percent from Mendham’s Open Space Trust Fund; 50-percent from Morris County’s Open Space Trust Fund; and 25-percent from Morris County Municipal Utilities Authority.

The historic red barn on the property, which is also a landmark on Mountainside Road, will be preserved and utilized by the Borough.

“Without (councilman) John Andrus’ determined leadership,” Henry said, “this Open Space acquisition might never have happened. I want to thank him, his fellow Borough Council members, Mr. and Mrs. Scott, and everyone on the team that made this purchase a reality. Future generations of Borough and Morris County residents will reap the benefits of our efforts over the past year, capped by this week’s successful purchase.”

Photo Courtesy Mendham Borough