Action: Preserve Open Space Funding June 15
Please come to the Bloomfield Township Council meeting on MONDAY, JUNE 15, at 7:30 p.m., to preserve funding for the Open Space Trust Fund! In 2003, Bloomfield voters passed a referendum by a better than 2-to-1 margin to collect 1 cent per $100 of property value to go toward the Open Space Trust Fund. This fund is used strictly to acquire and fix up open space for parks, recreation, and to preserve open space in our town that is 96% developed.
Some members of the Township Council are proposing an ordinance to reduce the Open Space Trust Fund collection by half for “just this year” due to the economic situation, which would save taxpayers an average of only $7 on their tax bill.
While they may have good intentions and we all could use some extra cash in tough times, we feel this sets a dangerous precedent, and we need a strong public turnout at the meeting with people speaking to support the current levels of Open Space funding will go a long way toward preserving the will of the voters, avoid setting a bad precedent, protecting our environment, and providing long-term financial benefits. It’s not worth the risks in changing the ordinance just to save $7.
1. This proposed ordinance says to voters that a majority vote (even a 2-to-1 margin) doesn’t count – that the Council can overturn their wishes.
2. While they say it’s for “just this year”, it makes it easier to do it again in future years, and makes it easier to do exceptions for any other referendum issues.
3. They say it’s to help voters in this difficult year, but next year and the year after could be similarly difficult, and they could use the same justification again.
4. The municipal budget has already been cut from a projected 12% increase to just 3.4%, but 5-year projections will be higher and there’s not as much to cut, providing another possible reason to continue the decrease in funding for open space.
5. They may say they’re not taking money out, they’re just reducing the amount of the deposit. But reducing the income for Open Space could mean the difference in being able to acquire a critical property that has become available or not. And long-term plans for acquisitions may be hampered due to a reduction in funding. It’s taken 9 years to build the fund to its current $1.3 million, and as you know, that isn’t enough.
6. Open space is important for our environment. It helps reduce pollution by absorbing contaminants from the air and soil, prevents flooding caused by impervious surfaces, ensures health and diversity of animal and plant communities, preserves our connection with the natural world, and provides peaceful, noise-free islands in the midst of the rush and clamor of life.
7. Open Space is good for the economy and our wallets. Studies show that residential development costs a town more in educational and public services than it generates in tax revenue. Even commercial development may not provide expected tax relief over the long-term, due to increased infrastructure costs like water, sewers, roads, police, and fire services. In other words, investment in Open Space actually helps more to keep our taxes down over the long run because it is usually less costly than allowing development.
Please come to the Council meeting Monday night, June 15, at 7:30 p.m., in the Municipal Building, to speak out against cutting the funding for Open Space and for preserving our commitment to Open Space.