The former Combe Fill landfill site, which 20 years ago was the subject of an environmental closure and clean-up action, has been sold by Washington Township for $2.4 million and will be transformed into a solar energy facility. The site consists of approximately 79 acres located off of Parker Road.
The Township, faced with the significant outstanding taxes for the dormant site, sought out and developed a path to convert the former landfill to a clean, efficient and low intensity use for the property. The Mayor and Township Committee authorized the sale in 2020. As part of an agreement with the Township, purchaser Chester Washington Solar Land LLC paid all outstanding taxes and foreclosed on property. In addition to the $2.4 million in outstanding taxes and fees, the Township will receive annual payments of $80,000 for easements connected to the project.
Mayor Murello worked diligently with various State legislators and agencies on behalf of the Township and, last year, offered letters of support of the application before the Board of Public Utilities. As noted by the Mayor, “this is a significant event for the Township in that the Township is able to recoup every dollar of taxes that wasn’t paid by the landfill when most communities write-off these amounts.” Moreover, he added, “these funds will be utilized in our local budget for the benefit of our taxpayers and the financial stability of the Township.”
According to Administrator Charlie Daniel, the closing proceeds of $2.4 million would equate to a ratable assessment of almost $700 million. Now, a site for which taxes were last remitted over 25 years ago, will instead be a tax ratable for the Township.