By Philip Sean Curran, Staff Writer
Princeton voters will decide this fall if their merged community should have an open space tax that would generate about $1.1 million annually that could be used to acquire and maintain open space, farmland and historic properties.The referendum, backed by local officials, proposes creating a separate tax of 1.7 cents per $100 of assessed value. The Township Committee voted July 16 to put the question on the Nov. 6 ballot, while the Borough Council is expected to take the same step Tuesday.
Both towns already have voter-approved open space taxes, although at different rates. Those taxes are due to expire when the merger of the two communities takes effect in January.As one of its many proposals, the consolidation commission last year recommended having a “revenue neutral” rate for a new open space tax. The $1.1 million figure represents the combined amount of what the two towns collect now.
Based on 2011 average home assessments, a township resident would pay $24 less and a borough resident would pay $52 more if the referendum passes. That’s because of the differences between the proposed 1.7 cent tax rate and what property owners are charged today: 2 cents per $100 in the township, compared to 1 cent per $100 in the borough.Borough Councilwoman Jo Butler said Tuesday that she felt the ballot question would pass.
”This is a community that values open space,” she said in a phone interview.
She said the two towns have used their open space tax money differently. While the borough used it for maintaining its pocket parks, the township opted to buy open space.
The Friends of Princeton Open Space, a local nonprofit devoted to acquiring open space, is supporting the ballot question.
Wendy L. Mager, president of the organization, said Wednesday that she was optimistic the ballot question would pass. She noted that voters in the two towns have supported similar referendums in the past.
She pointed to the value of having an open space tax, such as helping to expand and acquire open space. She said a joint master plan for the two towns identified more than 300 acres worth buying or preserving.Another benefit of the tax, she said, is to leverage getting matching funds from the state and the county.

