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Oxford approves Green Acres application to allow easements for Route 31 bridge replacement
Summary
Oxford Township endorsed a final application to the NJDEP to remove Green Acres restrictions from 0.136 acres of municipal parkland to accommodate the Route 31 Bridge over Furnace Brook replacement, following a Dec. 11 public hearing and a written comment period.
The Oxford Township Committee on Jan. 7, 2026 adopted Resolution 2026-26 endorsing a final application to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection to remove Green Acres restrictions from 0.136 acres of Wilkinson Baseball Field and Kent Street Playground. The easements are needed for the Route 31 Bridge over Furnace Brook replacement project, the resolution says.
The resolution notes the township held a public hearing on Dec. 11, 2025 and accepted written comments through Dec. 25, 2025. After review of oral and written comments the committee found the minor diversion or disposal of parkland remains in the public interest and concluded that the proposed permanent easements meet the criteria in N.J.A.C. 7:36-26 by enabling replacement of a structurally deficient bridge and improving roadway operations and safety along Route 31.
The resolution directs the mayor and clerk or administrator to execute, upon Department and State House Commission approval and confirmation that all conditions are met, a Green Acres Release and Compensation Agreement and any deeds of easement required for replacement land or compensation. The committee’s action does not itself remove the Green Acres restriction; it formally endorses the township’s application and acknowledges that compensation and other procedural requirements under N.J.A.C. 7:36-26 must be satisfied before final approval.
No vote tallies beyond a unanimous roll call were recorded in the minutes. The resolution and accompanying application will proceed to the NJDEP for review; if the Department treats the submission as a major disposal/diversion additional information will be required before approval.
