Politics & Government
Open Space Petition Revived
Reworded version should get on the ballot, supporters say.
A group of Moorestown residents is continuing its effort to restrict open-space spending through a ballot initiative.
On Friday, organizers gave the township clerk a petition carrying the signatures of 1,493 residents that they believe should get the issue on November’s ballot. It is a reworded version of the petition that the township attorney rejected last month.
“We are rewording the question rather than changing it,” said Bruce Carskadon of Concerned Moorestonians, one of several groups supporting the initiative. “The intent and effect will be the same. This should address the deficiency that the township attorney raised.”
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At issue is the use of the municipal Open Space, Recreation, Farmland and Historic Preservation Trust Fund, which is funded through a tax levy of 1¢ per $100 of assessed value. The township collects approximately $464,000 annually through the tax.
Controversy arose in April, when Township Council approved spending more than $200,000 from the fund for engineering, design and bidding expenses to improve athletic fields and facilities.
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Supporters of the initiative want to prevent council from using the fund for athletic fields and related expenses. They fear that such spending will diminish the townships ability to acquire land when it becomes available, according to Elizabeth Endres, a founder of Moorestown Save Open Space (MSOS).
Township Clerk Patricia Hunt has until Wednesday to either reject or certify the revised petition. The papers will be forwarded to township attorney Tom Coleman, she said.
