Now Is the Time to Protect Township's Open Space

My fellow cyclists and I experienced euphoria as we rode through rolling hills and farmland during this past Saturday’s Sourland Spectacular hosted by the Sourland Conservancy.  

Across 35 miles of peaceful rural roads, we saw at least three signs where D&R Greenway had partnered to preserve land, farmland preservation signs for past successful open space acquisitions, and “For Sale” signs that made me wonder if things could change overnight.  

Members of the NYC Cycling Club told us that our region is uniquely conducive to riding because other accessible areas may be as beautiful but are more congested.  

Think about it, others treasure what we have.  We should do no less.

We have this opportunity to enjoy the beautiful scenery because others before us had the foresight to set appropriate zoning requirements and preserve land when the opportunity arose.  

I hope that in future years, others can see the same vistas that make our town and region so unique. To hope is one thing but to actively encourage a clear focus on preserving open space land is better.  That’s why I am inviting my fellow Hillsborough residents to come to an information and action session, hosted by Friends of Hillsborough Open Space, a non-partisan grassroots group.  

The Township Committee has put a question to use 20 percent of the open space tax for something other than land acquisition on your Nov. 5th ballot.  

Let’s face it: This would be chipping away at one of Hillsborough’s most valuable assets – open space. Your informed opinion matters more than ever.

That’s why I urge you to attend the meeting which begins at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday Sept. 19th at 145 Wertsville Road at the western end of our town just before the Hillsborough Country Club.  

Please bring a friend and carpool.  

FOHOS is already planning another informational meeting that will be posted on the Facebook page.  An educated voter is in the best interest of our town. More information for this meeting and our position on the ballot question can be found in the newspapers’ local events pages and at www.facebook.com/FOHOSNJ.  

RSVP and contact us at fohosnj@gmail.com.Riding by a farm named “Now or Never” made me more motivated to take action.  

Now is the time for all of us to pay back to the dedicated Open Space Advisory Committee members who volunteer their time to assess and acquire open space land, the Somerset County Agricultural Board, and the people in our town’s past who took an active role in preserving land.  

Now is the time to pay forward to our children and future residents so that they may reap the benefits of having residents and local officials who are proactive and passionate about doing our best to maintain the rural charm of Hillsborough. As you travel across our town, take in the beautiful scenery and remember that we get to enjoy it because of deliberate actions taken by people before us who cared enough.  

Thank you for caring now and consider doing your part to preserve Hillsborough’s future.

Sincerely, Thuy Anh Le