OPEN SPACE ADVISORY COMMITTEE

The Open Space Advisory Committee is responsible to develop a comprehensive open space program for consideration by the Planning Board in preparing the Township Master Plan; to evaluate the importance of township lands for recreational use, stream corridor protection, and preservation of aesthetic and historic value; to identify specific sites for acquisition, and recommend available grants; to implement the Town's Open Space programs; and to comment to the Planning Board and the Board of Adjustment as appropriate.

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 program which will contain a list of properties that we should acquire.

55% of Long Hill Township is undeveloped.  See the detailed breakdown of Land Use.

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Open Space Advisory Committee 2008

• Walter Carell
• Mariona Ceruzzi
• Len Hamilton
• Larry Mamone
• Mead Briggs, Township Committee Representative
• Jerry Aroneo, Township Committee Representative

Meetings: monthly on the first Monday of each month (excluding holidays).

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1/15/08