It has recently come to the attention of the HNJJ crew that a former Hillsborough Township Committeeman who is a current member of the Open Space Advisory Committee is apparently completely unaware of all the open space that is accessible to residents. In the spirit of helping everyone find these areas, including the aforementioned person, we will be presenting information about some of these preserved properties.
According to the township's Parks Directory, Flagg Way Park is two acres containing a playground and a tennis court. A macadam path with a sign reading Flagg Way Field leads to a baseball field. The baseball field behind the Woods Road Firehouse is visible through a narrow wooded area next to the Flagg Way baseball field.
##
For more information about Hillsborough's Open Space and the current attempt by the Township Committee to divert "up to 20%" of monies intended for the continued purchase of open space, go to FOHOS Facebook page.
##
Photographs courtesy of Susan Gulliford.
Sunday, September 29, 2013
Friday, September 27, 2013
Open Space: Singley Park
It has recently come to the attention of the HNJJ crew that a former Hillsborough Township Committeeman who is a current member of the Open Space Advisory Committee is apparently completely unaware of all the open space that is accessible to residents. In the spirit of helping everyone find these areas, including the aforementioned person, we will be presenting information about some of these preserved properties.
Mark E. Singley Park, 14-acres located at 425 Woodfern Road next to Woodfern Elementary School, contains softball fields, soccer fields, rest rooms, and a picnic area. There is a macadam walking path and wonderful views across the farm fields to the nearby mountains. Next to the stone parking lot, stop for a moment's reflection at the September 11, 2001 Memorial.
For more information about Hillsborough's Open Space and the current attempt by the Township Committee to divert "up to 20%" of monies intended for the continued purchase of open space, go to FOHOS Facebook page.
##
Photographs courtesy of Susan Gulliford
Mark E. Singley Park, 14-acres located at 425 Woodfern Road next to Woodfern Elementary School, contains softball fields, soccer fields, rest rooms, and a picnic area. There is a macadam walking path and wonderful views across the farm fields to the nearby mountains. Next to the stone parking lot, stop for a moment's reflection at the September 11, 2001 Memorial.
For more information about Hillsborough's Open Space and the current attempt by the Township Committee to divert "up to 20%" of monies intended for the continued purchase of open space, go to FOHOS Facebook page.
##
Photographs courtesy of Susan Gulliford
Monday, August 26, 2013
Welcome, FOHOS!
Get used to seeing the initials FOHOS - Friends of Hillsborough Open Space. As a result of the Township Committee passing Ordinance 2013-17 regarding the diversion of 20% of our Open Space Trust Fund money from the purchase of land, a group of residents formed FOHOS. Here is their press release:
Formation of Friends Of Hillsborough Open Space (FOHOS)
Announces Opposition to November Ballot Question
August 26, 2013
A group of concerned Hillsborough citizens recently met and agreed to the formation of a new, non-partisan, grassroots organization, the Friends of Hillsborough Open Space (FOHOS). FOHOS's mission is to build a community wide volunteer group dedicated to assisting the Township in supporting the preservation and stewardship of open space lands in order to maintain Hillsborough's semi-rural character.
In 1995 Hillsborough voters overwhelmingly passed, by a margin of over 62% of the vote, a ballot question to establish an Open Space Tax that would be reserved solely for protecting farmlands from development and for the acquisition of undeveloped lands as open space. Recently, the Hillsborough Township Committee passed an ordinance that places a question on the November ballot that, if approved by the voters, would authorize the Committee to divert up to 20% of the Open Space Tax collected each year to uses other than preservation. This was done despite significant resident opposition expressed at the meeting at which the ordinance was adopted.
FOHOS opposes the diversion of any of the Open Space Tax funds away from the originally authorized use of protecting and preserving additional open space lands. Approximately $1.5 million dollars is collected each year for the Open Space Trust Fund. Of this amount, about half goes towards paying down the debt incurred from previous open space purchases. The proposed 20% diversion would leave only 30% of the money collected each year ($450,000) for new preservation efforts. Considering the high cost of property in central New Jersey and that matching funds from the state Green Acres program are currently no longer available, FOHOS strongly believes that every dollar of locally collected funds should be dedicated only for preservation. Money Magazine's recent acknowledgment of Hillsborough as one of the best places to live in America was based largely on the township's efforts to maintain a balance between new development and preservation of the semi-rural character of the community – a process that should continue.
FOHOS will be holding a meeting to discuss in more detail the history of the open space program, the economic and environmental benefits of open space, and the reasons why the diversion of open space tax dollars is a bad idea for Hillsborough. The time and place for the meeting will be announced shortly. All Hillsborough residents are strongly encouraged to attend and become members of FOHOS. Additionally, they may visit the FOHOS Facebook page located at www.facebook.com/FOHOSNJ or email FOHOS at fohosnj@gmail.com.
Please follow their Facebook page.
Formation of Friends Of Hillsborough Open Space (FOHOS)
Announces Opposition to November Ballot Question
August 26, 2013
A group of concerned Hillsborough citizens recently met and agreed to the formation of a new, non-partisan, grassroots organization, the Friends of Hillsborough Open Space (FOHOS). FOHOS's mission is to build a community wide volunteer group dedicated to assisting the Township in supporting the preservation and stewardship of open space lands in order to maintain Hillsborough's semi-rural character.
In 1995 Hillsborough voters overwhelmingly passed, by a margin of over 62% of the vote, a ballot question to establish an Open Space Tax that would be reserved solely for protecting farmlands from development and for the acquisition of undeveloped lands as open space. Recently, the Hillsborough Township Committee passed an ordinance that places a question on the November ballot that, if approved by the voters, would authorize the Committee to divert up to 20% of the Open Space Tax collected each year to uses other than preservation. This was done despite significant resident opposition expressed at the meeting at which the ordinance was adopted.
FOHOS opposes the diversion of any of the Open Space Tax funds away from the originally authorized use of protecting and preserving additional open space lands. Approximately $1.5 million dollars is collected each year for the Open Space Trust Fund. Of this amount, about half goes towards paying down the debt incurred from previous open space purchases. The proposed 20% diversion would leave only 30% of the money collected each year ($450,000) for new preservation efforts. Considering the high cost of property in central New Jersey and that matching funds from the state Green Acres program are currently no longer available, FOHOS strongly believes that every dollar of locally collected funds should be dedicated only for preservation. Money Magazine's recent acknowledgment of Hillsborough as one of the best places to live in America was based largely on the township's efforts to maintain a balance between new development and preservation of the semi-rural character of the community – a process that should continue.
FOHOS will be holding a meeting to discuss in more detail the history of the open space program, the economic and environmental benefits of open space, and the reasons why the diversion of open space tax dollars is a bad idea for Hillsborough. The time and place for the meeting will be announced shortly. All Hillsborough residents are strongly encouraged to attend and become members of FOHOS. Additionally, they may visit the FOHOS Facebook page located at www.facebook.com/FOHOSNJ or email FOHOS at fohosnj@gmail.com.
Please follow their Facebook page.
Thursday, August 15, 2013
Rotary Fair Week 2013: Making The Magic Happen
The 2013 Hillsborough Rotary Fair runs through Sunday. The HNJJ crew would like to recognize the volunteers - the Rotarians and their friends and family - who make it happen...
Thanks for the memories.
**
For more information on the Hillsborough Rotary Club and the Fair, including the Harley Davidson Motorcycle Raffle, go here.
**
Photographs courtesy of Susan Gulliford and George Mariasz.
Thanks for the memories.
**
For more information on the Hillsborough Rotary Club and the Fair, including the Harley Davidson Motorcycle Raffle, go here.
**
Photographs courtesy of Susan Gulliford and George Mariasz.
Thursday, July 18, 2013
A Cautionary Tale for Hillsborough
In 1998 Bernardsville voters approved an Open Space Trust Fund. In 2008 voters approved a referendum allowing the use of 20% of the fund for the development of open space properties. [Hillsborough voters, does this sound familiar so far?]
Before the Bernardsville referendum a recreation study showed a need for more playing fields. [Wait...you mean they did the needs study first? What a concept!] But, stuff happens; Hurricane Sandy's cleanup cost money and their Board of Education proposed building an artificial field on borough-owned property.
In November, 2012, Bernardsville voters decisively defeated a plan to pay for a $1.2-to-$1.4-million artificial field with 66% voting no. Unfortunately a non-binding referendum.
Undeterred, the council is now proposing a November, 2013, referendum to decide whether to pay for the new artificial field with Open Space monies or a 10-year bond. Yes, they are going ahead anyway.
It may be worthwhile for Hillsborough residents to watch what is happening just up the road in the northern end of Somerset County.
**
June 29, 2012 - New Jersey Hills Newspaper:
http://newjerseyhills.com/bernardsville_news/news/bernardsville-turf-vote-eyed/article_218bc4ec-c13e-11e1-95d2-001a4bcf887a.html
March 15, 2013 - NJ Hills Newspaper:
http://newjerseyhills.com/bernardsville_news/news/new-field-turf-vote-possible-in-bernardsville/article_2352f174-8c59-11e2-9a85-001a4bcf887a.html
June 7, 2013 - NJ Hills Newspaper:
http://newjerseyhills.com/bernardsville_news/news/decision-on-field-turf-question-draws-near-in-bernardsville/article_0329b77e-ce59-11e2-b985-001a4bcf887a.html
July 10, 2013 - NJ.com:
http://www.nj.com/somerset/index.ssf/2013/07/bernardsville_leaders_wants_artificial_turf_at_upper_polo_grounds_one_way_or_the_other.html
Before the Bernardsville referendum a recreation study showed a need for more playing fields. [Wait...you mean they did the needs study first? What a concept!] But, stuff happens; Hurricane Sandy's cleanup cost money and their Board of Education proposed building an artificial field on borough-owned property.
In November, 2012, Bernardsville voters decisively defeated a plan to pay for a $1.2-to-$1.4-million artificial field with 66% voting no. Unfortunately a non-binding referendum.
Undeterred, the council is now proposing a November, 2013, referendum to decide whether to pay for the new artificial field with Open Space monies or a 10-year bond. Yes, they are going ahead anyway.
It may be worthwhile for Hillsborough residents to watch what is happening just up the road in the northern end of Somerset County.
**
June 29, 2012 - New Jersey Hills Newspaper:
http://newjerseyhills.com/bernardsville_news/news/bernardsville-turf-vote-eyed/article_218bc4ec-c13e-11e1-95d2-001a4bcf887a.html
March 15, 2013 - NJ Hills Newspaper:
http://newjerseyhills.com/bernardsville_news/news/new-field-turf-vote-possible-in-bernardsville/article_2352f174-8c59-11e2-9a85-001a4bcf887a.html
June 7, 2013 - NJ Hills Newspaper:
http://newjerseyhills.com/bernardsville_news/news/decision-on-field-turf-question-draws-near-in-bernardsville/article_0329b77e-ce59-11e2-b985-001a4bcf887a.html
July 10, 2013 - NJ.com:
http://www.nj.com/somerset/index.ssf/2013/07/bernardsville_leaders_wants_artificial_turf_at_upper_polo_grounds_one_way_or_the_other.html
Wednesday, July 17, 2013
Ordinance 2013-17: Plan Ahead???
It has been proposed that Hillsborough's voters decide whether 20% of the Open Space Trust Fund be used for something other than the purchase of Open Space.
The proposed ordinance generalizes that the 20% is "...to be utilized for the the development and, or improvement of park and recreation facilities that are located on property within the open space and park inventory for recreation, conservation and general open space purposes."
What exactly do they want to do and where do they want to do it?
On May 3rd Committeeman Carl Suraci made a presentation to the Open Space Advisory Committee which included vague suggestions about ball fields, active and passive recreation, and synthetic fields. He couldn't exactly state what those needs were, but reassured those present that they would do a needs assessment later.
The township news release that was supposed to explain the proposal to divert 20% from Open Space purchases states, "If the ordinance is passed [on July 23rd] at a public hearing, the Township Committee will also consider a resolution calling for a study to conduct a thorough analysis of the passive and active recreational needs for Hillsborough Township. The resulting report will provide guidance to prioritizing any improvements."
This proposed ordinance is too general and has too much latitude for unknown persons to make unspecified spending decisions.
Why should a critical use such as purchasing currently available open space suffer for some unidentified and apparently unexplainable recreation use?
Is it that Parks and Recreation needs more money? Then make that an issue on next year's budget, don't play a shell game where the taxpayer has to guess which shell to choose.
This would be a good time for the Township Committee to graciously withdraw proposed Ordinance 2013-17, figure out what exactly is needed and where and how much it cost.
Then, next year, explain specifically what is being proposed, why it is more important than purchasing open space while it is available, and ask the voters what they want to do.
**
"Act in haste, repent at leisure." - various
"Unreasonable haste is the direct road to error." - Moliere
"What do we tell our children? Haste makes waste. Look before you leap. Stop and think. Don't judge a book by its cover. We believe that we are always better off gathering as much information as possible and spending as much time as possible in deliberation." - Malcolm Gladwell
The proposed ordinance generalizes that the 20% is "...to be utilized for the the development and, or improvement of park and recreation facilities that are located on property within the open space and park inventory for recreation, conservation and general open space purposes."
What exactly do they want to do and where do they want to do it?
On May 3rd Committeeman Carl Suraci made a presentation to the Open Space Advisory Committee which included vague suggestions about ball fields, active and passive recreation, and synthetic fields. He couldn't exactly state what those needs were, but reassured those present that they would do a needs assessment later.
The township news release that was supposed to explain the proposal to divert 20% from Open Space purchases states, "If the ordinance is passed [on July 23rd] at a public hearing, the Township Committee will also consider a resolution calling for a study to conduct a thorough analysis of the passive and active recreational needs for Hillsborough Township. The resulting report will provide guidance to prioritizing any improvements."
This proposed ordinance is too general and has too much latitude for unknown persons to make unspecified spending decisions.
Why should a critical use such as purchasing currently available open space suffer for some unidentified and apparently unexplainable recreation use?
Is it that Parks and Recreation needs more money? Then make that an issue on next year's budget, don't play a shell game where the taxpayer has to guess which shell to choose.
This would be a good time for the Township Committee to graciously withdraw proposed Ordinance 2013-17, figure out what exactly is needed and where and how much it cost.
Then, next year, explain specifically what is being proposed, why it is more important than purchasing open space while it is available, and ask the voters what they want to do.
**
"Act in haste, repent at leisure." - various
"Unreasonable haste is the direct road to error." - Moliere
"What do we tell our children? Haste makes waste. Look before you leap. Stop and think. Don't judge a book by its cover. We believe that we are always better off gathering as much information as possible and spending as much time as possible in deliberation." - Malcolm Gladwell
Monday, July 15, 2013
Open Space Confusion?
Hillsborough's press release regarding Proposed Ordinance 2013-17 headlined Open Space Fund Expanded Use Proposal contained this surprising statement:
Research produced an October 2011 report, Preserved Lands in Hillsborough Township showing "Percent of Land Preserved 30.19%" with a breakout of the numbers.
It is this breakout that explains the confusion.
The report's 30.19% - a total of 10,411 acres - includes such properties as lots owned by NJ DEP/DOT, the Hillsborough section of the Somerset County Sourland Preserve, preserved farmland, Duke Farms wetland easements, and private conservation easements. Would Hillsbrough have the right to develop State-owned, county-owned or privately owned land?
Finally there is Preserved Open Space - Hillsborough 1,679 acres.
Interesting. 1,679 acres is 4.8% of Hillsborough's 35,008 acres, not 30.19%, and Open Space is not the same as preserved land.
**
Song of the Day: Ball of Confusion by The Temptations (1970)...
Ball of Confusion 1970 by Tushratta
“Over 30% of Hillsborough Township is preserved from development in open space and this ordinance would permit a ballot question to be placed on the upcoming November 5, 2013 General Election, allowing the voters of Hillsborough to weigh in on whether or not the use of funds from the Open Space Fund can be expanded for additional uses,” stated Mayor Frank DelCore during his comments upon introducing the ordinance.Intuitively this 30% number seemed, well, just wrong.
Research produced an October 2011 report, Preserved Lands in Hillsborough Township showing "Percent of Land Preserved 30.19%" with a breakout of the numbers.
It is this breakout that explains the confusion.
The report's 30.19% - a total of 10,411 acres - includes such properties as lots owned by NJ DEP/DOT, the Hillsborough section of the Somerset County Sourland Preserve, preserved farmland, Duke Farms wetland easements, and private conservation easements. Would Hillsbrough have the right to develop State-owned, county-owned or privately owned land?
Finally there is Preserved Open Space - Hillsborough 1,679 acres.
Interesting. 1,679 acres is 4.8% of Hillsborough's 35,008 acres, not 30.19%, and Open Space is not the same as preserved land.
**
Song of the Day: Ball of Confusion by The Temptations (1970)...
Ball of Confusion 1970 by Tushratta
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)