EDISON — In an effort to seek matching state and county grants to purchase property for new neighborhood parks, expand existing parks and to enhance local recreational areas, township officials are seeking to reinstate the municipal Open Space Trust Fund, according to Mayor Thomas Lankey.
Voters will come out to the polls Nov. 6 to decide whether or not to reinstate the trust fund through a referendum, effective Jan. 1, 2019.
The Open Space Trust Fund would enable the township to dedicate one cent per $100 of assessed value toward open space improvements. For the average assessed Edison home of $178,400, the open space tax would cost $17.84 per year.
Walter Stochel Jr., chair of the Open Space Advisory Committee, spoke of the importance of the open space referendum at a recent council meeting.
“The passing of the open space referendum is important because it is the final piece needed to be eligible for 50 percent Green Acres matching grants,” he said. “This will help with future open space acquisitions. Plus, this year’s referendum includes funding for improving parks and recreation areas which will help upgrading our park, plus creating trails, and protecting historic sites.”
The township originally established a one cent Open Space Trust Fund in 1999, which ended on Dec. 31, 2013.
During the 15-year period, Edison used the money from the trust fund along with county and state grants — New Jersey Green Acres Program — to acquire and preserve nearly 900 acres. The township’s current open space inventory includes 1,758 acres, or nearly nine percent of the town’s total land area, according to a June report from the municipal Open Space Advisory Committee.
Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Nov. 6.
