Politics & Government

Municipal Open Space Tax Needs Voter Approval

Previously approved by voters twice, funds for borough Open Space costs could return to ballot in November

Earlier this year, the River Edge Mayor and Council debated how to allocate the annual . After a month of discussion and a public hearing, the bulk of available funding went toward for three employees that oversee the maintenance of the borough's parks.

This week, the council began initial discussions of placing the Municipal Open Space Trust Fund on the November ballot for a referendum. Voters have approved the Trust Fund tax twice in the past decade which calls for one cent on each $100 from a resident's tax bill to be used for Open Space preservation and maintenance.

"The five year period for Open Space is up and the Mayor and Council would need to authorize a resolution to place the referendum on the November ballot," Borough Administrator Alan Negreann said. "It's a question if they want to change the amount. For instance, the County reduced the amount to half a cent from a penny."

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According to Negreann, the Council has an August 1 deadline to vote on a resolution because the referendum question has to be delivered to the County office by August 25.

"My question is what happens if it passes at half a cent," Mayor Margaret Watkins said. "Would we have the ability to continue to maintain the parks given the low number of DPW employees."

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Negreann stated that until the borough began putting together the 2012 budget, there would be no way of knowing how the funding could be allocated.

"Even if the money is not used for DPW salaries, which is something we would have to address in the budget, there are other aspects of maintenance of the parks that is part of Open Space. Recreation has a certain amount that is used for the parks," Negreann said.

Groups that have previously applied for Open Space Trust Funds include the DPW, Shade Tree Committee, Recreation Department, 9/11 Committee, Beautification Committee, Environmental Commission and Historic Preservation Committee.

According to Councilman John Cannon, if the referendum was approved at the one cent per $100 rate, the average taxpayer would pay $45 to the Open Space Trust Fund.

The council will continue to discuss the referendum at the July 5 work session.


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