2007 News

August 15 , 2007

Commissioners Boost County Agricultural Preservation Total To 9,919 Acres
Middletown Grange Fair No. 684 Provides Bucolic Backdrop for Two Acquisitions

The Bucks County Board of Commissioners, in conjunction with county Agricultural Preservation Director Rich Harvey, today approved the acquisition of two farms totaling 77.87 acres. The approval took place during the annual commissioners’ kickoff meeting of the 59th annual Middletown Grange Fair No. 684, in Wrightstown Twp.

The Stephen and Gail Soltysiak farm is located in Springfield Twp., and consists of 54.81 acres. Its cost to county taxpayers was $219,240 (the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania will contribute the remaining $328,860), plus settlement charges and adjustments. The Soltysiak farm grows hay and sorghum and raises steers. The property is highlighted by an historic 1878 home and several streams. Ranked sixth out of 55 county agricultural applications in 2006, it boasts a recently updated Resource Management Plan.

The Gail K. Webb farm is a 23.06-acre parcel in Wrightstown Twp., the second preserved in that township. The county purchase price of $276,720 includes settlement charges and adjustments, and is augmented by $103,770 that will be contributed by Wrightstown Twp. The farm contains hay and pasture and horses. A new Resource Management Plan was developed for the Webb tract in October, 2005.

“These properties represent an excellent addition to our growing list of agricultural preservation acquisitions,” noted Charles H. Martin, chairman of the commissioners’ board, upon approval of the county’s 108th and 109th farm preservations since the program began in 1989. “We are particularly pleased to move closer to our goal of 10,000 preserved farm acres by the end of 2007.”

In addition to the farmland additions, Commissioners Martin, James F. Cawley, Esq. and Sandra A. Miller approved a $287,500 resolution to acquire a 76.5-acre conservation easement in Milford Twp. through the Milford Twp. Fish, Game and Forestry Association. Recommending the property was county Open Space Coordinator Kris Kern.