By Allison Perrine
MIDDLETOWN – In the middle of an open field at Poricy Park Wednesday morning, elected officials urged township voters to say ‘Yes’ to open space this November.
On the ballot this general election, Middletown residents will weigh in on a 1 cent increase per $100 valuation of property, from $0.02 to $0.03, for the township’s Open Space Trust Fund. The price has not increased in 18 years, officials said, and since its establishment in 1998 the township in collaboration with the county has obtained over $25 million in acquisitions.
“This is a very important day for Middletown – a day in which we launch our open space initiative,” said Mayor Tony Perry. “The future generations of this town depend on it. And all of us – all of us – want to ensure that our children and grandchildren have the Middletown that we enjoy today.”
The trust covers open space, recreation, floodplain protection and farmland and historic preservation. It was established in 1998 with a collection rate $0.01 per $100 of equalized valuation. That rate was increased to $0.02 in 2002, which is the last time the trust collection rate increased. If the referendum is approved this fall, properties could be preserved in the township by buying development rights to the lands and purchasing property outright.
Committeewoman Pat Snell said that many people became “acutely aware of how important open space is” once the pandemic hit and there wasn’t much to do. As the weather got warmer, people found themselves going to parks for walks and fresh air.
“Over the past few months with the pandemic, I’ve seen so many Middletown families walking the park which really warms my heart because open space and historic buildings and farmland are really, really important both to our children and grandchildren,” said Snell. “It’s something we need to leave all of them.”
The township committee voted at its July 20 meeting to move forward with the referendum. It was unanimously approved by voting members. At that time, Perry told The Two River Times that officials are continually looking at the market to find parcels of land and have currently identified about 30 properties that could potentially qualify for open space designation.
Monmouth County Freeholder Director Thomas A. Arnone said the open space trust increase could bring great value to township residents while also improving the quality of life. Being that Middletown is the largest municipality in the county and it is making this stand, he said, other municipalities might look at it as the “right thing to do.”
Cindy Zipf, executive director of Clean Ocean Action, also shared that open space can reduce and mitigate climate change as well as reduce flooding and pollution. It can also be a peaceful scene to relax and escape the stresses of the world, especially at a time like this during the pandemic. “Every ounce of open space that we can save and preserve and take care of is money in the bank,” said Zipf. “Parks add value to the community.”
The article originally appeared in the September 17 – 23, 2020 print edition of The Two River Times.
