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Editorial: Oct. 30, 2008
Editorial: Open Space Trust Fund
This is a tough one. Support a local tax that has only been utilized once, and support it during a shaky economic period.
Since the late 1990s, Cedar Grove voters have approved a tax levy of 2 cents for each $100 assessed on a home, to potentially buy property for open space. The biennial question whether to continue the tax is on next Tuesday’s ballot.
The consensus has been, statewide and locally, that open space is important to citizens. And open space is precious, especially in northeastern New Jersey.
Cedar Grove now owns the old Essex County sewage plant property off Bradford Avenue and plans to turn it into recreational space. The county, meanwhile, proposes a Hilltop park on the old Essex County Hospital Center grounds.
Beyond that, there is little additional space available except for what could be small pocket parks. If bought, they would likely require little development and maintenance, but they would be of limited use. The township would have to figure out how to equally develop such parks among the neighborhoods.
Each open space also cancels out a property tax that could improve ratables.
However, overall, Cedar Grove’s Open Space Trust Fund is well intentioned. Ideal properties - threatened with residential or commercial development, and requiring limited amenities and maintenance – are still a possibility.
Thus, although times are tough, doing away with the small tax could miss an opportunity to make a long-term investment in open space.
We’ll see where things stand in another two years.
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