• Project Porchlight resolution – declares August 15 Project Porchlight Day, when volunteers will go door-to-door, and encourages residents to save money and electricity by changing a standard light bulb to a more energy efficient one. (More volunteers needed!)
• Anti-Idling resolution – declares September “Anti-Idling Month” to focus attention on the issue, warns of the dangers to health (especially asthma), wasted fuel, greenhouse gas emissions, engine wear, and NJ’s state law and $250 minimum fine for idling more than 3 minutes. It also encourages residents to idle no more than 10 seconds and supports anti-idling education, targeted enforcement of the law, and establishment of “idle-free zones”.
• Sustainable Land Use Pledge resolution – resolves to take a number of steps in land use decisions and include them in the next Master Plan resolution, such as facility siting, housing variety, open space, transportation choices, mixed use, green design, regional cooperation, and sustainable parking regulations.
• Grass “Cut It and Leave It” resolution – encourages residents to leave their short grass clippings on the lawn where it will help mulch and fertilize, rather than bagging it for fuel-hogging, polluting trucks to pick up.
• Anti-Idling Ordinance – copies the NJ state laws restricting vehicle idling to less than 3 minutes and sets penalties of $100-$2,500 (with a few exceptions for emergency vehicles, etc.).
• Water Conservation Ordinance (draft) – encourages protection and conservation of water, limits residents and businesses from watering more than 2 days per week (except for new plantings and other exclusions), and establishes procedures for water/drought emergencies.

• A resolution proclaiming August 15 “Project Porchlight Day” to encourage our volunteers and inform the public of our door-to-door distribution of compact fluorescent bulbs and asking residents to sign a change-a-light pledge. (You can still sign up to cover your street or neighborhood!)
• An Anti-Idling Resolution encouraging everyone to shut off their cars if idling for more than 10 seconds, and certainly to follow the state law’s 3 minute idling restriction. It also declares September as “Anti-Idling Month” to target attention and enforcement.
• An Anti-Idling Ordinance that mirrors the state laws and establishes local fines for idling longer than 3 minutes (with a few exceptions).
• A Water Conservation Ordinance to help the Township save water and related fees by limiting outdoor watering to 2 days per week.
• A Sustainable Land Use Pledge, stating the Township’s intention to follow smart growth principles, encourage green building, and update the master plan to encourage sustainable land use practices.

Check back this weekend to view drafts of these initiatives.

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.