Proposed sale concerns residents of mobile park Meeting tonight to discuss future of Circle Trailer Court on Rt. 35 BY DANIEL HOWLEY Staff Writer Residents of Circle Trailer Court on Route 35 in Eatontown could be forced to find a new place to call home if the owner of the 3-acre parcel of land decides to sell the lot. The current owner of Circle Trailer Court has expressed interest in selling the land, which could leave some 70 residents of the mobile community left to their own means to find a new location to live, according to Gary Strasser, a resident of Trailer Court. "I got involved because I approached the mayor two months ago after hearing rumors that the park was going to be sold," said Strasser last week. "Then the park owners sent everyone a letter that it was for sale. "I have the [financial means], so I can move my trailer, but other people in the park can't," he said, adding, "This is like eminent domain." The owners of the park are asking for $7.5 million for the property, according to Strasser, who added that the mobile park is located in a B2 Business and Mobile Homes zone. Eatontown Mayor Gerald Tarantolo said that due to the zoning of the lot, a new owner potentially could convert the mobile park land into another use, such as businesses. Strasser said he is concerned because he believes a potential buyer would not have to offer the residents of the mobile park any compensation if they were forced to relocate. A meeting between the residents and the owners of Circle Park is planned for today at 7 p.m. at Eatontown Borough Hall. Tarantolo said he called the meeting in order for concerns, such as Strasser's regarding compensation from potential buyers, to be addressed. The meeting will be a forum to discuss what options residents have, as well as to answer questions and address concerns of the mobile park residents, according to Tarantolo. "I said I would have a meeting with the residents to discuss any rights that they have as it relates to a potential sale," Tarantolo said. "I will also afford any municipal legal advice as it relates to their situation." Eatontown Business Administrator George Jackson said that the borough was made aware of the potential sale of the park after being contacted by concerned residents who were worried about their ability to remain at the site. The trailer park, which has been in operation for approximately 30 years, is home to an estimated 70 residents, according to Strasser. He explained that a large portion of the residents at the park are senior citizens who live on a fixed income. The park is owned by Robert Freibaum, who could not be reached for comment by deadline Tuesday. Other representatives of Circle Trailer Court refused to comment on the pending sale. Freibaum sent a letter to residents of Circle Park in which he cited New Jersey statutes 26:8c-11 and 26:8c-13. The statutes require that the owner of Circle Trailer Park offer residents of the mobile park the first option to purchase the property before it goes out for sale to the public. If the residents decline the offer, the owner can then put the sale out to the public, according to the letter. Strasser explained that most of the residents at Circle Court live there because it is an affordable housing alternative and they would be unable to raise the money to purchase the property. "Residents will have 18 months to move their trailers at their cost" if the park property is sold, Strasser said. "If they can't move [their trailers] they are at a loss," he said, adding, "All of our leases here are up this May. If the potential buyer gives us a certified letter [ordering residents to move], we have to move." Strasser, who has lived at Circle Trailer Park since 1994, said that he was never told this could happen. "All of these residents have put all of their earnings into [their mobile homes], because it is affordable for us," Strasser said. He added that he does not blame the owner. "They have something they want to sell," Strasser said. "It's nothing against them. They are just moving on. "They are selling what is rightfully theirs to the highest bidder. They have very good to me since I've been here," he said. Strasser added that he would like to see a new owner continue to operate the property as a mobile park.