MIDDLESEX TWP — Middlesex supervisors discussed the pending formation of a comprehensive plan committee during their meeting Wednesday night. The committee would contribute to developing a comprehensive plan for the township.

Resident David McMaster asked what progress has been made on forming the committee. Township manager Travis Cavanaugh said he's compiled a list of those interested in joining.

“I'm just still reviewing everything,” Cavanaugh said.

“What are we waiting for?” McMaster asked. “You agree the comprehensive plan is obviously pretty important.”

Supervisor Chairman Mike Spreng recognized the comprehensive plan may have a place in township procedure. But he disputed the plan was “pretty important.”

“That plan means nothing,” Spreng said. “It's a proposal more than anything.”

McMaster, on the other hand, argued the comprehensive plan is a spring board for future township ordinances that affect how farmland is developed.

“I don't see where anywhere in our township we're preserving any farmland,” McMaster said.

Spreng asked how a comprehensive plan could stop developers from buying and converting farmland. McMaster said the plan wouldn't stop development.

“You stop it with our ordinances,” McMaster said.

Supervisors noted there are monetary incentives offered through county farmland preservation programs.

Jane Peterson, who attended the meeting, said her family pursued farmland preservation. Peterson's family owns farmland along Route 228.

The Petersons were looking to develop part of the land because past farming opportunities “didn't work out.”

“We looked into farm preservation,” Peterson said. “And we were turned down.”

Peterson added she pursued funding for land preservation through the county's farmland preservation program. Peterson reported she was told she could get $3,000 an acre at most for her property.

“Three thousand dollars an acre is not good money,” Peterson said. “We have no interest in farming that land anymore.”

Peterson told the Eagle following the meeting her family is looking to develop about 50 acres of the 85-acre property they own. They will be presenting plans at a future meeting.