Hatfield Twp. Voters Will See Open Space Referendum On Election Day

HATFIELD TOWNSHIP, PA — Hatfield residents will get to decide on Election Day whether they want to preserve the township's open spaces for future generations.

Commissioners have approved a referendum question to be placed on the ballot in the general election in November.

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The proposal, if approved, would provide dedicated funding to the open space program in perpetuity. It would lead to a small tax increase.

The exact question as it appears on the ballot is below:

"Do you favor the imposition of an additional Earned Income Tax at the rate of twenty-five one hundredths of one percent (0.25%) to be used by the Township of Hatfield for the purposes of preserving undeveloped land and expanding opportunities for outdoor recreation; and to retire indebtedness incurred in purchasing interests in or acquisition of real property for the expenditure of funds for any purpose relating to the acquisition, planning for acquisition, preservation, improvement, and maintenance of open space or for an open space benefit?"

Residents on fixed incomes would not be impacted. The earned income tax would rise from 0.5 to 0.75 percent. Workers making $50,000 per year would pay $125 more across the year, while residents making $150,000 would pay $375.