Township votes to seize Solberg Airport property

“New Jersey’s Readington Township has voted to move forward with plans to seize Solberg Airport property through eminent domain proceedings. The vote came on Nov. 8, just days after AOPA sent a letter to Readington Mayor Julia Allen asking the township to stop spending taxpayer money trying to close the privately owned, public-use airport and instead work with the family that has owned and operated the field for more than three generations. The township has reportedly spent more than $5 million on the issue.

“We’re obviously disappointed with the township’s short-sighted actions, but now it’s time for the state of New Jersey to step in and protect this airport,” said Bill Dunn, AOPA vice president of airports. “Solberg is part of the state aviation system plan and any action that impairs operations at the field could have a major impact statewide.””

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Tennyson, Elizabeth. Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association 12 November 2013.