By Peter Elacqua
Staff Writer
COLTS NECK – Voters have rejected a ballot question that sought to double Colts Neck’s open space tax in order to generate additional funds for the purchase and preservation of open space in the municipality.
According to results posted online by the Monmouth County Clerk’s Office, 3,001 residents voted no and 2,069 residents voted yes on the question on Nov. 8. The result is unofficial until the county certifies it.
The non-binding question that appeared on the ballot was: “Should the township of Colts Neck increase the annual levy for open space, farmland and historic preservation … from the amount of $0.012 (1.2 cents) per $100 (of assessed valuation) to the amount of $0.025 (2.5 cents) per $100 of assessed valuation of real property?”
On the bottom line, if municipal officials eventually decided to raise the open space tax as proposed, the owner of a home that is assessed at $800,000 would have seen the tax he pays into Colts Neck’s open space fund increase from $96 a year to $200 a year.
After seeing the results on the public question, Committeeman Russell Macnow said, “The Township Committee is disappointed residents did not see the benefit of an increased ability to acquire open space. However, we will do our best with the available funds.”
In an uncontested race for two seats on the Township Committee, Macnow and Committeeman Edward C. Eastman Jr. were elected.
Macnow received 4,293 votes and won a three-year term which will run from Jan. 1, 2017 to Dec. 31, 2019.
Eastman received 4,271 votes and won a three-year term which will run from Jan. 1 through Dec. 31, 2017.
Republicans have a 5-0 majority on the governing body and for years Colts Neck GOP officials have adhered to a self-imposed limit of three terms (nine years). Macnow won his third three-year term on Nov. 8.
