Madison Council And Residents Alike Encourage Open Space Tax Change, Defend Drew Forest
By Tyler Barth for TAPintoMadison
The Drew Forest is one of the most vital preserves in Morris County and an important part of education at Drew University, and its uncertain future has been a prime topic during town meetings for the past several months.
Due to recent financial instability, the Drew University has been selling off various properties. For example, the land on which the Alumni House - a university mainstay for almost 140 years - stood has been sold off to a developer who plans to build a mosque, a proposal which turned many heads when first made public.
The University has not made an explicit statement regarding plans to sell the 53-acre Drew Forest, however for the past several months residents, council members and alumni alike have spoken at town council meetings, and last night’s meeting was one of the most prolific on that front.
Part of the argument is regarding the open space tax. Introduced at the meeting was Ordinance 44-2021, which looks to amend a prior ordinance. The old ordinance, 7-2013, reduced the municipal open space, recreation and historic preservation tax rate from 2 cents per $100 of assessed property value to 1.8 cents. Ordinance 44-2021 intends to return the rate to 2 cents.
“I am so thankful for these people who come and speak in support and for the council for their consideration”, said Lisa Jordan of 36 Loantaka Way, “And for seeing that area for not just property, not just land use for any purpose but for seeing the intrinsic, wonderful value of that wilderness”.
According to Astri Baillie, increasing the tax rate back to how it was when first introduced in 2004 would not only benefit the Drew Forest and other open space plans, but would financially help the town. She explained that money in the Open Space Trust Fund leverages other grants, such as the massive $7.5 million grant Madison received for purchasing the MRC in the late 2000s.
“Restoring the tax to 2 cents will greatly help Madison preserve the things that matter to us and define our character as a town”, she said. Astri was also quick to note that residents will have no need to worry about paying much more, as while this increase will affect large, valuable swaths of land greatly, for the average resident it will equate to an extra $13.34 a year in taxation.
Mayor Bob Conley noted though, that while the Drew Forest is a driving force behind restoring the tax, there are no restrictions for where the money received through the tax can be appropriated. Even so, he expressed the importance of preserving open spaces, and that he has been in contact with Drew President Tom Schwarz regarding the forest.
The council passed the ordinance unanimously.
“You look at the three major areas, open space, recreation and historic preservation. One’s recreation, you mention the playground, and other things like the field house. Those’re things where if you don’t do it today, you can do it tomorrow, it’ll still be a project. Historic preservation’s the next one on the list. The Masonic Lodge, if that were to go into such disrepair as we’ve seen some historic buildings disappear, that opportunity is gone. You can probably kick the can down a year or so but you can’t kick it down too far. If open space is gone, it’s gone forever,” said Conley to massive applause.
