5 Questions About the Open Space Referendum for Mayor DelCore:

The Township Committee voted unanimously to place a question on the ballot in Hillsborough to allow diversion of up to 20 percent of the open space tax from acquisition of open space to improvement or development of open space. 

To assist the voters to make a decision on this question, I ask that you answer the following questions: 

1. Hillsborough residents pay significant sums to Somerset County in connection with the county open space tax. The voters already have authorized diversion of up to 25 percent of the county open space tax to development and improvement. Why is Hillsborough’s share of this fund for improvement and development insufficient for our needs? 

2. If the goal for spending up to 20 percent of the open space tax is to create hiking trails and access, why is it insufficient to rely on private funds, volunteer labor and State or Federal grants to create these? 

3. It is my understanding that the funds diverted from open space acquisition cannot be used for maintenance. How does Hillsborough Township propose to pay for maintenance of the improvements? Will maintenance be paid for with the real estate taxes which fund police and other government services? 

4. It appears that there may be legal hurdles to improving or developing land acquired with state funds. Can you provide a list of properties from our inventory of open space, which are not privately owned and which were not acquired with state monies, and so are eligible to be improved or developed? 

5. Do any of the members of the Township Committee have in mind any specific projects which they are desirous of funding with these diverted funds? Have discussions occurred with individuals from any private groups who are advocating the funding of specific projects with these diverted funds? 

I look forward to your response. 

Art Skaar 

Democratic candidate for Township Committee