UPDATE: EcoRealty reports that the Bloomfield Council voted 4-3 to retain full funding of the Open Space Trust Fund.
Green advocates are planning to turn out in large numbers at tonight's Bloomfield Township Council meeting. They say some council members are planning to argue for a cut in current funding levels for the Open Space Trust Fund. Since a 2003 ordinance was passed, Bloomfield has collected one cent per $100 of property value towards this fund - which goes towards revamping open spaces for parks and recreation and to main open spaces in Bloomfield, a town that's 96-percent developed.
This works out at about $30 annually per Bloomfield resident, for a house valued at $300,000.
Greener Bloomfield is concerned that the recession-inspired move to halve contributions towards the fund will set a negative precedent:
While they may have good intentions and we all could use some extra cash in tough times, we feel this sets a dangerous precedent, and we need a strong public turnout at the meeting with people speaking to support the current levels of Open Space funding will go a long way toward preserving the will of the voters, avoid setting a bad precedent, protecting our environment, and providing long-term financial benefits. It's not worth the risks in changing the ordinance just to save $7.
"Lots of us are going," says Pat Gilleran, board member at large from the Brookdale Park Conservatory. "I'm hoping for a really big turnout." Members of the Third River Coalition are also expected to attend.
The meeting begins at 7:30 pm.
Digg
Delicious
StumbleUpon
Facebook
Twitter
Email
Comments (5)
Bernadette--You have one MAJOR mistake in your reporting. Each family in Bloomfield contributes about $14 per household. That is an average; some contribute a little more, some a little less. The $14 amount is based on an average ASSESSMENT of $141,000. The assessed value of a home, and the actual value are worlds apart. For instance, one of the most expensive houses in town sold several years ago for $901,000. It's a gorgeous brick home on about an acre and a half of land in a very desirable neighborhood. If it that property was subdivided, five homes would fit there. The assessed value of that home is currently $261,000, So maybe those people will pay in $20 per year, rather than $14. My home, which I could probably sell for $400,000 is assessed at $165,000, so I will probably have to pay in $16 for the year. Another house I picked at random from a New Jersey tax site is on Broad between Bay and Watchung. The lot is 50' x 121' feet. That house is assessed at $143,000 but could sell for at least double that amount because of the size of the lot and location of the house. That house will probably pay very close to $14. Long story short, Bernadette, if the most expensive house in the township cost $901,000, but is assessed at $261K, nobody in this township will be paying $30 a year into the fund. Those of us who want to protect the open space trust fund from raiders do so because we want our kids to have a beautiful town to live in when they grow up. We are investing in the future and we are willing to fight for it.
My home that would sell at about $450,000 is valued at $159,000. We've been paying the $14 and are happy to pay it.
I'll see you there!
The proposed ordinance failed, with McCarthy, Hamilton, and Ruane voting for a one-year reduction of the contribution to the open space fund, and everyone else against.
I found the behavior of several councilpersons, during the discussion and following the vote, to be inappropriate. The lack of decorum with which this council conducts business in public is an embarrassment to the township.
Good news about the vote! And I agree about the council. Watching the televised meetings would be funny if it wasn't for the fact that it's my town and my money.
The Councilfolk were fine and were rightly outraged at the Mayors behavior. His diatribe about whether the previous referendum was voted in by a more that 2 to 1 margin was outright twisting of the facts. The referendum WAS voted in by more than 2 to 1.
And then his demand that a "personal letter" that was posted on NJ.com be investigated was ludicris. The letter talked about how much sending out new tax bills would cost, $10,000
Mr. Mayor- all town council and department head corespondance is in the public realm. Get over it.
His little fit of anger truly would have been fitting for Napolean Boneparte. THIS GUY HAS GOT TO GO!!!