Open Space Tax Referendum In Ridgewood: Voting Results Updated

RIDGEWOOD, NJ — Ridgewood residents voted Tuesday to increase their open space tax by half a penny, in order to fund open space projects.

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Ridgewood's Open Space Trust Fund dedicates money toward the acquisition, preservation, improvement, and protection of park and recreational property in town, officials said.

As of Thursday night, around 5:30 p.m., these were the results:

Vote Count

Yes: 5,299, or 59.11 percent of the vote.

No: 3,666, or 40.89 percent of the vote.

Some mail-in ballots may still be coming in. See updates at the County Clerk's website by scrolling down to the public questions.

What About The Average Homeowner?

The referendum proposes an increase in the Village’s existing Open Space Trust Fund levy, from half a cent per $100 of assessed property value to one penny per $100 of assessed property value. For the average Ridgewood home assessed at $712,700, the increase would translate to $35.64 more per year, officials said.

“This is an opportunity for Ridgewood residents to decide whether to prioritize open space initiatives in the Village,” said Jim Bostler, chair of Ridgewood’s Open Space Committee. “This funding will improve parks, preserve passive areas and give the Village to ability to act if additional properties become available for acquisition.”

The fund was created in 2001.

Ridgewood has used the money for these projects, officials said:

• Irene Habernickel Family Park - Transformed a former horse farm into a 10-acre public park with walking trails, meadows, and ball fields.
• Citizens Park - Acquired an additional parcel needed to create the contiguous park.
• Zabriskie-Schedler Property - Purchased the historic land to create a park for active and passive recreational use.

Officials said that besides acquiring more land for open space, the town will be able to fund ongoing maintenance and improvement of existing parks and natural areas, and increase eligibility for matching grants from state and county agencies.

All funds from the Open Space Trust Fund are restricted to uses like land acquisition, park improvements, maintenance, and environmental protection.

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