VOTE411 Voter Guide

PUBLIC QUESTIONShall the Town of Morristown establish an annual levy at a rate of no less than $0.01 and no greater than $0.05 per $100 of assessed value of real property, with the specific rate to be set by resolution of the Town Council, and appropriate 100% of revenue for the following purposes:(a) Acquisition of lands or easements for recreation and conservation purposes;(b) Development of lands acquired for recreation and conservation purposes;(c) Maintenance and stewardship of lands acquired for recreation and conservation purposes;(d) Maintenance and stewardship of existing lands recognized by the State of New Jersey as open space and used for recreation;(e) Monitoring and maintenance of existing conservation easements within the Town;(f) Payment of debt service on indebtedness issued or incurred by the Town for any of the purposes set forth in paragraphs a) and b) herein above?INTERPRETIVE STATEMENTA “yes” vote on this question would allow the Town of Morristown to preserve remaining tracts of open space which are vulnerable to development by establishing a “Municipal Open Space Preservation Trust Fund,” funded through a dedicated open space tax. The tax rate would be set annually by the Town Council between one cent ($0.01) and five cents ($0.05) per one hundred dollars ($100) of assessed value. For example, at the minimum rate of $0.01, a property assessed at $1,000,000 would be taxed $100 per year, while a property assessed at $500,000 would be taxed at $50 per year. At a minimum rate of $0.05, a property assessed at $1,000,000 would be taxed $500 per year, while a property assessed at $500,000 would be taxed at $250 per year.One hundred percent (100%) of the funds would be used for the acquisition, maintenance, and improvement of open space and conservation of lands, including recreation, maintenance of existing open spaces, monitoring of conservation easements, and payments on debt service incurred for land acquisition or improvements. Approval of this measure would also enhance the Town’s ability to qualify for NJ State Green Acres funds, Morris County Open Space Trust funds, and future funding opportunities.