Click here for the Open Space Advisory Committee Minutes
The primary mission of the Open Space Advisory Committee is to advise the Township Committee, Planning Board and the Board of Adjustment on the acquisition, maintenance and preservation of open space in the Township of Long Hill.
The Open Space Advisory Committee is responsible for developing, evaluating, identifying, recommending, implementing and commenting on the open space plan for the Township Master Plan. As part of their responsibility the Committee evaluates the importance of township lands for recreational use, stream corridor protection, and preservation of aesthetic and historic value. They also identify specific sites for acquisition, and recommend available grants for the Town's Open Space plan.
The Open Space program is funded from the special tax ($.02 per $100.00) approved by the voters in 1997.
The referendum, which was on the 1997 general election ballot, was authorized by Resolution 97-268. The referendum was held pursuant to "Open Space, Recreation, Farmland and Historic Preservation Trust Fund Taxing Districts P.L. 1997, C. 24 (N.J.S.A. 40:12-15.1 et seq.)" and the question on the ballot (which is set forth below) intentionally omitted some of the purposes including historic preservation, that are authorized, but not mandated by the statute. Any changes will require a new public referendum in Long Hill.
1997 Public Question: Shall Long Hill Township impose an annual levy of two ($.02) cents per one hundred ($100.00) dollars of assessed value to be deposited in a "Municipal Open Space, Recreation and Farmland and Historic Trust Fund" and to be used exclusively for the purposes of acquiring, developing and maintaining lands for recreation and conservation purposes and acquiring farmland for farmland preservation purposes?
Uses authorized by the State of New Jersey under the "Open Space, Recreation, Farmland and Historic Preservation Trust Fund Taxing Districts P.L. 1997, C. 24 (N.J.S.A. 40:12-15.1 et seq.)":
- Acquisition of lands for recreation and conservation purposes;
- Development of lands acquired for recreation and conservation purposes;
- Maintenance of lands acquired for recreation and conservation purposes;
- Acquisition of farmland for farmland preservation purposes;
- Historic preservation of historic properties, structures, facilities, sites, areas, or objects, and the acquisition of such properties, facilities, sites, areas, or objects for historic preservation purposes; and,
- Payment of debt service on indebtedness issued or incurred by a county or municipality for any of the purposes set forth above.
The Open Space Committee is preparing a report for each property recommended to be acquired.
55% of Long Hill Township is undeveloped. See the detailed breakdown of Land Use.
Open Space, Recreation, Farmland And Historic Preservation Advisory Committee
Frank Alansky |
George Armenti, Jr. |
Mead Briggs |
Steve DiMarco |
Daniel Rodger (RAC) |
Victor Verlezza, TC Liaison |
