Community Corner

Former Mayor, Open Space Committee Member Supports Referendum

As a long-time Township Committeeman and open space advocate, I can assure our residents that the Hillsborough Open Space Advisory Committee (OSAC) has and will continue to seek out and carefully review every opportunity to purchase open space and preserve farmland in the township. 

With $9 million currently available in the Open Space Trust Fund, a sum that would NOT be affected by the passage of the upcoming open space referendum, the OSAC and the Township Committee are well positioned and ready to take advantage of any offer to add to the thousands of acres of preserved land that help make our township one of the best places to live in the U.S.

However, the OSAC is also mindful that residents have approached us on many occasions to ask where the already-preserved properties are, and how they can access them to walk, run, bike, hike or just enjoy the view.  We've had to tell them that, with a few exceptions (such as Otto's Farm), those lands are not open to their enjoyment.  It is not an answer we like to give.  

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The Township Committee has offered an answer, in the form of the referendum.  It asks our residents if they want to allow UP TO 20 percent (it could be less) of the FUTURE funds collected for the Open Space Fund (and NOT the funds ALREADY collected) to be used for some sort of development of these open space properties.  In other words, it asks the taxpayers if they would like the option of investing some of their future taxes to allow them to enjoy the open space that their previous taxes have purchased.  It should be our residents' choice, because it's their money; the Mayor and the Township Committee understand that well, which is why they have stated that their first step upon passage of the referendum would be to gather a needs assessment from our residents to see what it is they would want to be developed on the lands they paid for.  

For one, I would like to see our open space become available for the enjoyment of those who have invested in it, and am interested in knowing what our residents want for Hillsborough.  To that end, I ask that you join me in supporting the open space referendum on Nov. 5. 

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Bob Wagner

Former mayor

 


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