WEST MILFORD — Putting a proposition to the voters in November looking to expand the use of open space funds to include recreation and historical sites will be on the agenda for May 22 council meeting.
The township council has been discussing using open space tax funds for recreation capital expenses and historic properties in addition to purchasing open space properties since the Recreation Advisory Committee asked in February that the council put a referendum out to the voters.
Councilwoman Vivienne Erk suggested the open space funds be available for historical preservation. She and Councilman Mike Hensley suggested that the proposition include equal distribution of the funds - 33 percent each - for open space, recreation and historic preservation. Prior to last week, the proposed distribution was 50, 25 and 25 percent.
In his support of a voter proposition, Hensley said expanding the funding to recreation would allow the township to take advantage of more recreation funding opportunities. The council had to forego some recreation projects for this year because they didn't have the money.
A similar referendum was put to voters in 1999 and 2005. Voters turned down both of them.
Mayor Bettina Bieri suggested the council could specify that a super majority of its members would be needed to override any use of the funds.
Open Space tax
Residents currently pay .54 cents per $100 of assessed value for their properties. The average West Milford homeowner, whose home is assessed at $247,000, paid $13.34 for open space in 2012. The Open Space fund collects about $150,000 each year from taxpayers. Currently, there is about $600,000 in the fund, which was approved by voters in 2000.
When this funding is used, oftentimes it is met with matching funds by the state or county.
The council has until August to come up with the wording of this referendum, if they decide to do it at all, so that it would appear on the November ballot.
The township council next meets on Wednesday, May 22, at 6:30 p.m. at the town hall on Union Valley Road.
What are your thoughts on expanding the use of open space funds for recreation and historic properties? Do you think the residents should have a vote? Go to westmilfordmessenger.com and tell us.