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Carbon County commissioners approve first open-space grant for Resica property in East Penn Township
Summary
The Carbon County Board of Commissioners adopted a resolution to fund the county's first Open Space Grant Program award, approving a purchase that will preserve roughly 72 acres on the Kittatinny Ridge in East Penn Township. The county’s share is about 36 percent of the project cost; state and other matching funds provide the remainder.
The Carbon County Board of Commissioners on a recorded vote adopted a resolution to approve the county’s first Open Space Grant Program award, clearing funding for the Resica property in East Penn Township.
Dan Kunkel, who told the board he was appointed by the commissioners to the Open Space Advisory Board, urged support and described the day as "an exciting day" because the board was voting on the first application under the program. "Two and a half years ago, the voters gave the commissioners a mandate, 83% yes, to start an open space program," Kunkel said.
The nut of the action: the board adopted Item 25020, the Carbon County Open Space Grant Program resolution, which the commissioners recorded as adopted with all members present voting yes.
Why it matters: commissioners and program staff said the project both preserves connection to existing conserved lands and demonstrates how the new county program will work. Anna Shigo, the staff member the board selected to lead the open-space effort, described the timeline and paperwork involved in closings: "It’s a process that takes a lot… it could be another months or years sometimes on these projects till the closing is finally done," Shigo said, adding that the Resica parcel fit the program criteria.
Details from the meeting: the property is on the Kittatinny Ridge in East Penn Township near the Stony Brook RV Resort and includes roughly 72 acres. Meeting remarks put the county’s share at about 36% of the project cost and put the state and other match at roughly $319,000; commissioners and staff described the county contribution as approximately $180,000 for that 72-acre parcel, equal to a little over $2,000 per acre based on figures discussed at the meeting.
Commissioners framed the approval as a cautious, phased start to the program. One commissioner noted the board wanted to avoid spending large sums immediately and instead prioritize properties that provide strong conservation value and connectivity. "We don't want to jump into any award of any program until we have several applications," a commissioner said during discussion, adding that the board will evaluate priorities as more applications arrive.
The board also discussed funding mechanics. Commissioners reminded attendees that the open-space program draws on voter-approved funding and that the county will manage bond proceeds and borrowing carefully to avoid paying interest on unused funds. Staff and multiple commissioners said the program aims to secure the most conservation per dollar for taxpayers.
What’s next: staff indicated that, because of title work and required paperwork, closings may take additional months. Interested landowners and municipalities were told to consult county staff for application details and next steps.
Votes at a glance: Item 25020, Carbon County Open Space Grant Program — motion to adopt the resolution; recorded as adopted, all commissioners present voting yes.
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