County reveals purchase of the Santos riverside property

Milford — Gary Orben, Chief Clerk to the Pike County Commissioners, on Monday confirmed that Pike County will buy and manage the 80 acres of riverside property now deeded to the Santos family farm. Orben spoke briefly before the Milford Township Supervisors. The supervisors last month tabled a subdivision application for the Santos property, after Chair Don Quick said he needed to know more about plans for its use. Quick was concerned that the National Park Service would take title to the property, which he says is one of the last options for a municipal sewage treatment site for Milford Borough and Township. "We got to solve this problem. Where else are you going to go?... What are you going to do, close down the commercial district?" he asked Orben said the county was funding the purchase with state "Growing Greener" grant money and the property would be used for "passive recreation," which could include hiking, ball fields, cross-country skiing and a free river boating access. "I'm sure the commissioners will be willing to explore that," Orben replied to Quick's concerns for a sewage disposal site. The supervisors later approved the Santos subdivision. "That was based on your word," Quick told Orben after the meeting.