Upper Freehold OKs open space tax hike

By Jessica Ercolino, Staff Writer
   UPPER FREEHOLD — Voters approved a 2-cent increase in the open space tax rate Tuesday, a move that will raise $264,000 in additional tax revenue for farmland preservation, according to officials.
   The referendum received 905 “yes” votes and 877 “no” votes.
   The previous open space tax was 4 cents per $100 valuation. The owner of the average-assessed township property ($519,800) currently pays about $208 annually for open space preservation. The 2-cent increase will add $100 to that bill, according to Mayor Steve Fleischacker.
   The increase gives the township the ability to borrow roughly $2.5 million for farmland preservation, according to Chief Financial Officer Dianne Kelly. The $264,000 in extra tax revenue each year will cover the annual principal and interest costs over 20 years. The arrangement could potentially save five to 10 farms, she said.
   According to Mayor Fleischacker, there are about 10,000 acres of developable land in Upper Freehold, and the municipality, county and state are in negotiation with willing sellers on more than 1,500 acres at this time. So far, the township has already preserved more than 7,000 acres.
   The Township Committee voted unanimously on Aug. 16 to put the question on the general election ballot.