Vernon renews contract with Land Conservancy
VERNON — The Vernon Township Council agreed to renew its contract with the Land Conservancy of New Jersey for Open Space Funds consulting service for an additional year.
The Land Conservancy of New Jersey is a non-profit organization founded in 1981. Its mission is to preserve natural lands and water resources throughout the state.
The agreement allows for the Land Conservancy to assist Vernon Township in various Open Space services, such as, granting writing, negotiations and due diligence. The township agreed to pay a total not to exceed $13,000 for the services, which spans April 2015 to April 2016.
Vernon Township has worked with the Land Conservancy in the past on various Open Space projects. With this renewed contract that partnership will continue, despite some concerns raised over the cost of the agreement.
Council members Jean Murphy and Dan Kadish questioned the benefit to the township in paying the $13,000 rate.
“In terms of what they (Land Conservancy) has given us, it far exceeds what we are paying," Council President Patrick Rizzuto said.
Several members of the public also spoke against renewing the contract, accusing a Land Conservancy official of encouraging the Environmental Commission to mislead the public to garner support for the purchase of Camp Sussex. The Vernon Township Council recently voted to break off negotiations.
Bonnie Rubin of Highland Lakes cited a recording of an executive session of the Environmental Commission in which she accused the Land Conservancy's Sandy Urgo of telling the commission to play up historical significance of place to distract from issue of demolition.
"I do not want my money used to support an organization that encourages the use of these communication tactics on the public," township resident Sandy Ooms said.
Councilman Brian Lynch went on record backing his support for the renewal,
“They were an asset to this town," he said. "They brought grants forward and as far as I see they are a benefit to the township.”