JACKSON – Voters who went to the polls on Election Day, May 9, made their feelings clear on a nonbinding referendum that sought their opinion on an increase in Jackson’s open space assessment.
By a count of 4,033 opposed to 3,145 in favor, voters told municipal officials they do not want the open space tax to be raised from 3 to 4.5 cents per $100 of assessed valuation.
The Township Committee, which will give way to a new Township Council form of government in July, is not bound by the results of the referendum.
Property owners currently pay 3 cents per $100 of assessed valuation into an open space trust fund. The money is used by the township to acquire and preserve open space parcels.
The owner of a home assessed at $160,000 pays $48 per year into the open space fund. An increase to 4.5 cents would have raised that payment to $72.
The owner of a home assessed at $200,000 pays $60 per year into the open space fund. An increase to 4.5 cents would have raised that payment to $90.
The owner of a home assessed at $400,000 pays $120 per year into the open space fund. An increase to 4.5 cents would have raised that amount to $180.
Officials said the 1.5-cent increase would have allowed the township to purchase additional undeveloped land in order to preserve open space, create additional park land and establish new recreation areas.
– Dave Benjamin