Hurdle Cleared for Fair Haven Lot Buy

"It went fine, there were no problems," Mayor Michael Halfacre said. "Surprisingly, it wasn't a tank that was intended to be buried. We were lucky there was no (oil) leakage. But (the ground) was clean."

Halfacre said the tank was made from a thinner gauge of metal than underground tanks are fabricated from. The removal work was done July 16.

Borough officials said they would walk away from the deal to buy the property if there was evidence of substantial oil leakage, which would require what could be a costly environmental cleanup.

"At this point, it seems we're definitely closing, subject to working out some technicalities," Halfacre said. "We anticipate closing by the end of summer, early fall."

Last year, the Borough Council voted to finance the purchase of about an acre of land on the Navesink River at 78 DeNormandie Ave., for $1.2 million for use as a passive waterfront park. On Dec. 16, the council approved a $220,000 down payment toward the purchase.

Officials obtained a $250,000 Monmouth County grant and a $337,000 state Green Acres grant and low-interest Green Acres loan guarantees, Halfacre said.

The council also approved a resolution to ease neighbors' concerns about how the park would be used. It prohibits structures such as bathrooms or storage buildings, prohibits storing boats or other items there overnight, and bans using the passive park for sports or group entertainment events.

In 1858, Charlie Williams, a free African-American man, bought the land and built the home that stands on it today. Plans call for the house to be demolished.

Larry Higgs:

732-643-4277; lhiggs@app.com