Lawrence has adopted an aggressive open space acquisition plan this year.
By: Lea Kahn
Township Council would have the option to increase the municipal open space tax up to a maximum of 3 cents, if voters approve a special referendum question on the Nov. 6 ballot.
The council voted last week to place the question on the ballot. The measure, if approved, would allow the council to tax property owners up to 3 cents per $100 of assessed value. Voters approved a 1-cent open space tax in 1999.
One of the reasons for raising the open space tax is that Lawrence has recently adopted an aggressive open space acquisition plan, according to Municipal Manager William Guhl.
The 1-cent open space tax is expected to raise $250,000 annually. At 3 cents, the tax would raise $750,000. The owner of a house assessed at the township average of $155,000 would pay $15 in open space taxes, based on a 1-cent tax, and $45 based on a 3-cent tax.
If the question is approved by the voters, Township Council could set the open space tax rate at a maximum of 3 cents at its discretion. The tax would not necessarily be 3 cents, Mr. Guhl said. It could be anywhere from 1 cent to 3 cents.
Increasing the levy would generate more money for the dedicated municipal open space trust fund, Mr. Guhl said. The money could be used to buy, develop and improve land for public recreation and conservation purposes. It could also be used for historic preservation purposes.
With the recent acquisition of the Carson Road Woods tract and the potential purchase of land between Helen and Mabel avenues off Princeton Avenue, Township Council thought this would be a good time to increase the open space tax, Mr. Guhl said.
Township officials approved an open space acquisition plan this year that is ambitious and potentially expensive, Mr. Guhl said. What better time to ask people for their support than now, he added.
"One reason for the ballot is to hear from the people," Mayor Pam Mount said. "The tax could be up to 3 cents. What I feel is, people have been absolutely thrilled to preserve land. They are willing to contribute money."
The Delaware & Raritan Greenway this year raised $3 million through private donations toward the $8.4 million purchase price of the Carson Road Woods parcel. The remaining $5.4 million included a combination of municipal, county and state funds, plus donations from two nonprofit groups.
Money raised through the open space tax also could be used to pay for park maintenance and improvements, said Mr. Guhl. The current budget allocates $898,000 for those purposes including salaries, equipment purchases and equipment maintenance.
"Every year, there is competition in the budget for expenses," said Mr. Guhl. "We have not had to reduce services, but should that day come, the public has spoken. It wants the parks and recreation facilities maintained."
Expenses related to parks and recreation facilities and maintenance could be charged off to the open space trust fund, Mr. Guhl said. Township Council would not have to include those expenses in the municipal budget.
Mayor Mount said it is more cost effective to buy land and preserve it, than to develop it for housing. But parks also cost money for the installation of walking paths and general maintenance, she said.
"There is no sense to having open space if the people can’t use it," said the mayor. "We want people to safely use the parks. We have to mow them and put up signs," Mayor Mount said.

