Monmouth County Terminates Wardell House Lease

The Wardell House will return to Shrewsbury’s control following the Monmouth County freeholder board’s decision to terminate a lease on the property.

During the governing body’s meeting at the building in Freehold on Thursday, Dec. 22, the freeholders unanimously approved a resolution ending the county’s nine-year agreement with Shrewsbury.

“It’s unfortunate that the building was not to be put to the intended use, which was for extended library use for special projects,” Freeholder Lillian Burry said.

The county would have had to make the building compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in order to use it as part of the Monmouth County Library System. However, the New Jersey Historical Commission would not allow the changes to the historic building, according to Burry.

“It’s amazing that the state government is stepping in and disturbing progress. That building has very little historical value,” said Freeholder Deputy Director John Curley, a former Shrewsbury resident.

Monmouth County will pay Shrewsbury $165,000 to cover damage the building sustained when workers were trying to determine how to make the building ADA compliant, according to Monmouth County Administrator Teri O’Connor. She noted that the building is currently vacant, which was a potential liability for Monmouth County.