Activity Report
November 2002

We have more details on the planned development: There will be 6 warehouses, ranging from 11800 to 960000 square feet, bringing in an estimated 1200 trucks per day. The site is 400 acres with several wetlands, including a drainage ditch that the developer did not include in its inventory.

The Allentown Historical Society has mentioned that the Hessians and the British Army marched along Old York Road (which borders the site) and that skirmishes and encampments were held on the site.

A savanna sparrow, listed as endangered, was sighted across the street from the planned development, and there is bog turtle habitat in the Assunpink Wildlife Managment Area 2-3 miles away. The USFWS told the site's engineers that it is concerned about endangered species habitat and that the engineers should perform a more involved endangered species survey with a qualified person to look for the bog turtle on the site.

Mike Buriani is drafting a letter to Governor McGreevy and the DEP, asking them to clarify the wetland delineation. The case manager was supposed to have done an additional site inspection a few weeks ago, but we don't know if the inspection was done.

The property is in Washington Township, but the residents most affected by the development are in Upper Freehold. However, Washington Township officials have not been supportive of the concerned citizens because the Township wants the development for the rateables it will bring. Upper Freehold has not aided the residents either..

Contact: Mike Buriani or Ed Pfeiffer.

The proposed Lawrenceville-Hopewell 20-mile bike trail will pass through the Pole Farm. The alignment is still in the planning stages, but we have some concern that the trail will go through parts of the park that aren't already paved, but there aren't any specific maps available to us. We are concerned that the County is going to construct the bike path before it has a master plan for the park.

We will send a letter to theh Mercer County Parks Commission saying that we want to be involved in the bike trail through the Pole Farm. We are working with Washington Crossing Audubon on this.

Contact: Mike Buriani