| Author |
Message |
    
crabby
Citizen
Username: Crabbyappleton
Post Number: 258
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 27, 2005 - 2:05 pm: |     |
an Open Space Referendum?
SOunds dubious. WHere is there any open space to save in Maplewood anyway? My backyard? If the referendum would pass, it means a tax increase for everyone. Where would the money actually go anyway? Why would we want to pay additional taxes for something that really hasn't been defined to the voters? Sure, Open Space has a nice ring to it, but in our case, it seems questionable.
I think we better vote "NO" for the open space referendum in November. |
Joan
Supporter
Username: Joancrystal
Post Number: 6342
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 27, 2005 - 4:35 pm: | |
A large portion of the South Mountain Reservation is in Maplewood and comprises a very significant portion of Maplewood's acreage; so, we do have a fair amount of open space to protect in our town. However, being that this land has already been placed in a reservation, it would appear to be protected already. |
tom
Citizen
Username: Tom
Post Number: 3663
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 27, 2005 - 4:42 pm: | |
Interesting question ... if there's no place to spend the money, then the money doesn't need to be raised. Does it?
That said, I wouldn't reflexively vote "no" to something on preserving open space while there's still the country club, the reservation and a few big parks in town. |
algebra2
Supporter
Username: Algebra2
Post Number: 3869
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 27, 2005 - 7:40 pm: | |
Crabby,
I can't find anything on the township website about the referendum:
http://www.twp.maplewood.nj.us/
If Maplewood is considering increasing our open space through a referendum I'd think it would be explained on the TC website - yes?
Call me crazy, but the reservation is owned by Essex county and Maplewood- right? I thought we called it a reservation because it was reserved? Reserved as in you can't build on it.
Doesn't Maplewood already own it's (own) parks?
Why collect money if it's not ear marked for a specific expense?
If there's open space for sale then why the referendum? Just buy it and include the funds in the budget.
|
Just The Aunt
Supporter
Username: Auntof13
Post Number: 2507
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 27, 2005 - 9:16 pm: | |
I don't think you can sell off the land in the reservation to a builder who would most likely build mcmansons on it; But what's to stop the county from building a playground in the reservation? Not that it would be a bad thing. There is already talk of building a much needed dog park.
The country club is a whole other ballgame. |
algebra2
Supporter
Username: Algebra2
Post Number: 3870
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 27, 2005 - 9:37 pm: | |
Can anyone just post the referendum?
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crabby
Citizen
Username: Crabbyappleton
Post Number: 259
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 27, 2005 - 9:38 pm: | |
I think raising taxes to fund "open Space" when the open space has not even been identified is a waste of a raise in taxes. If the referendum were to go through, what kind of fund would it go in? How do we know that the TC wouldn't go ahead and spend it on something else?
Why isn't it on the website? Good question, alg2. |
argon_smythe
Citizen
Username: Argon_smythe
Post Number: 667
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 27, 2005 - 11:08 pm: | |
I think an in-depth discussion of the merits or lack thereof, of a referendum that doesn't even seem to exist is a waste of ... something...
A better question than "Why isn't it on the website?" is, "Why does anyone believe this exists at all, based on the content of this thread so far?"
|
sbenois
Supporter
Username: Sbenois
Post Number: 13878
Registered: 10-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 27, 2005 - 11:21 pm: | |
It does exist. It was discussed briefly last Tuesday evening during the marathon TC meeting.
If I heard correctly, the open space referendum would result in a "tax" of roughly $25 for the average (assessed) home in town.
Perhaps one of the TC members can post it here. It does deserve to get some more press. |
crabby
Citizen
Username: Crabbyappleton
Post Number: 260
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 28, 2005 - 8:33 am: | |
What's the average assessed home $200-$225,000? That means my taxes would go up $50/yr for something as yet to be identified. I'd rather have my bulk pick up back. |
algebra2
Supporter
Username: Algebra2
Post Number: 3872
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 28, 2005 - 1:02 pm: | |
I heard that because of the unexpected rise in heating costs this year the schools are predicting a $750K shortfall.
This is going to be a rough year for Maplewood without setting up trust funds for land that might or might not be for sale.
How many homeowners are not going to be able to suck up the estimated 30-50% heating cost increases for their own homes this winter?
What was the breakdown of the TC vote on this referendum?
Kathy Levanthal posts on MOL, maybe she can provide the referendum and answer these questions.
Speaking of openness, some open government would be appreciated by this taxpayer and voter. |
Joan
Supporter
Username: Joancrystal
Post Number: 6349
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 28, 2005 - 6:32 pm: | |
Kathy has posted information on the referendum on a new thread in this section of the message board. |
Prescott Perez-Fox
Citizen
Username: Scottperezfox
Post Number: 2
Registered: 3-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, October 15, 2005 - 12:50 pm: | |
they have an open spaces ordinance in most councils in Britain, but there its designed to preserve the landscape and allow places for indigenous birds and animals to live. Its also a preventative measure to stop urban sprawl and those tacky Levittown-esque developments which are all together too popular in South Jersey and other parts of the country.
However, since Maplewood has already been developed and has become a proper suburb for 75 years or so, this doesn't seem to be aptly named. At least, it could use some redefinition.
Is this designed to prevent hi-rised buildings? Parking lots? Additional houses that don't match the architecture? I think more specifics are needed before November, especially if significant funds are involved. |
Joan
Supporter
Username: Joancrystal
Post Number: 6487
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, October 15, 2005 - 1:21 pm: | |
It's designed to raise taxes beyond that permitted uner the State municipal spending cap provision. From what has been said on this thread and elsewhere on the board, the money will likely go to maintenance of existing municipal park land, such as ball fields. |
Bart Albini
Citizen
Username: Bartalbini
Post Number: 13
Registered: 9-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, October 16, 2005 - 6:59 am: | |
Kathy Leventhal’s posted on Wednesday, September 28, 2005 – 1:40 pm, thread: Maplewood Ballot Question for November 8th, in Mostly Maplewood: Related to Local Govt. on Maplewood Online
For those of you who may have trouble in finding the original thread, I have included it here:
"On Election Day, November 8th, there will be a question asked of Maplewood voters pertaining to the establishment of a Municipal Open Space and Recreation Trust Fund. The question will be on the ballot to give our voters the choice of deciding whether or not you want funding set aside to be used specifically for open space in Maplewood.
According to NJ Statute, the question of whether or not to start a fund for the purposes of acquiring, developing or maintaining land for recreation, conservation, or for open space is voted upon by town residents.
Money raised by the Trust Fund would be used only for the purposes of the Trust Fund. The rate of the special tax would be one cent ($.01) per $100 of assessed property value. For example, the owner of property assessed at the average Maplewood assessment of about $250,000 would contribute $25 each year to the fund. In total, the fund would generate about $210,000 each year.
The use of Open Space Trust Funds is a common mechanism used to dedicate money to the purposes mentioned above. In addition to Essex County, the following towns are among those with Open Space Trust Funds: South Orange, West Orange, Livingston, Bloomfield, and Madison. South Orange used these funds, for example to build a tot playground. Most likely uses in Maplewood would be for field maintenance and rehabilitation.
Many people know that the condition of our recreation fields is not at the level we want them. Yet, in the ordinary course of budget development, there is not enough money to refurbish our fields as needed.
It all comes down to what you as voters want to do. The Township Committee can continue to allocate some of your regular tax payments to open space improvement. Or, you as voters can in effect guarantee the improvements in the future by voting for the Trust Fund.
It’s up to you to consider an added tax compared to increasing the quality of our open space.
As we planned, you will soon be able to receive this information on the town website http://twp.maplewood.nj.us/ in the News-Record and through other ways we are working on to get this important communication out.
Thank you.
Kathy Leventhal
Maplewood Township Committee"
I have trouble justifying any new tax to handle budgeted items because there was not enough monies in the budget.
For me, this is nothing more than political "Smoke and Mirrors"!
Bart Albini |
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