For Immediate Release – May 7, 2024
MIDDLETOWN, NJ – At the May 6th Township Committee Meeting, the Township Committee unanimously passed a resolution to authorize the contract for the partial exterior restoration of the Murray Farmhouse at Poricy Park.
Murray Farmhouse, a historic building from the 1770s and the former home of Revolutionary War hero Joseph Murray, will be undergoing restorations including repairing and replacing the windows, reconstructing the front porch, and replacing the cedar shake roof on the barn.
“The Township has been setting aside capital and grant funds to be able to restore and preserve the farmhouse in a historically appropriate manner to ensure the longevity of the site,” said Mayor Tony Perry. “As we prepare to celebrate Middletown’s 360th and America’s 250th anniversaries, the Murray Farmhouse and Barn truly showcases our rich history and the Colonial-era lifestyle.”
The Township Committee also introduced a bond ordinance for $1 million to facilitate the acquisition of the Tretter property. This property is a 67 wooded acres tract of land off Whipporwill Valley Road. This rural area has remained largely undeveloped since the 18th century.
“Without this acquisition, the property would likely be subdivided into single family homes,” said Mayor Perry. “This act is part of our ongoing efforts to preserve land under the Township’s Open Space Preservation Program.”
The Township Committee has been tirelessly working to protect Middletown’s open space while encouraging development where it belongs. Recent open space acquisitions include 490 Red Hill Road, West Nut Swamp Road, 1114 Nut Swamp Road, and Dwight Road. In November 2020, residents voted to increase the tax that goes into the Township’s Open Space Trust Fund which helps make acquisitions like this possible.
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