JACKSON TOWNSHIP, NJ – When the Jackson Township governing body chose to purchase the aging Rova Farms property, once a community and regional entertainment hot spot, they had no future plan in mind for the land and remaining buildings. Once a vacation destination for New Jersey’s large Russian Orthodox community, Rova Farms has fallen into disrepair and has sat vacant for decades.
Now, the township is looking to find a new future for the site that once hosted the infamous Bruce Springsteen Christmas chaos show back in the 1970s.
The Township issued the following public notice:
ORDINANCE 01-22 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 3 OF THE TOWNSHIP’S ADMINISTRATIVE CODE OF THE TOWNSHIP OF JACKSON TO CREATE THE ROVA FARMS ADVISORY BOARD NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED, by the Township Council of the Township of Jackson, County of Ocean, State of New Jersey, as follows: SECTION 1. Purpose. The Township of Jackson has utilized substantial taxpayer funds to purchase various parcels of open space in the general vicinity of that portion of the municipality identified as the “Rova Farms Section”. These purchases were designed to assemble various parcels for future recreation and conservation purposes for the Township of Jackson. It is the intention of this Ordinance to create a Rova Farms Advisory Board to assist the Township in its planning for the future of these properties for the benefit of all residents of Jackson Township.
SECTION 2. Chapter 3-153 of the Township Code of the Township of Jackson is hereby amended to include a new subsection to be designed as 3-153M and entitled “Rova Farms Advisory Board” which shall state as follows: (1) The Rova Farms Advisory Board shall assist and advise Mayor and Council in implementing and planning the future use and development of the Rova Farms properties previously purchased or obtained in the future. (2) The Committee shall consist of up to ten members who shall be appointed by the Township Council. The Committee shall consist of at least one member of each of the following: a. A person with a career in education b. A person with a historical perspective or experience c. A member of the Going Green Committee d. A member of the Pathfinders e. And such other members as Council may deem appropriate to appoint. All members appointed shall be residents of Jackson Township