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Wyckoff still lags in attracting open space grants
Wyckoff taxpayers have paid $1.9 million more
into the Bergen County Open Space fund than
we have received back in grants. Preservation
of open space will both help mitigate the ongoing
rise in property taxes and ensure we receive
our fair share of grants.
Wyckoff continues to lag neighboring towns in
securing Bergen County Open Space grants.
Wyckoff is one of the few towns in New Jersey
with a municipal open space tax that has not
established an Open Space Advisory Committee.
Taxes collected in Wyckoff, paid by Wyckoff
residents are used for the direct benefit of
Wyckoff residents. It is perhaps the only tax
paid that can be multiplied by county and state
matching funds for direct use in Wyckoff. More
members of our Township Committee need to
demonstrate a commitment to securing outside
grants to preserve open space. Our town boards
have continued to grant builders significant relief
with variances against our zoning ordinances.
Opportunities such as the Ravine
property and Russell Orchards have been lost.
Will Maple Lake be next? The 19 wooded acres
adjacent to the CHCC, proposed for multi-unit residential
development may also be lost, if our zoning
board grants variances, including a change of
use variance.
Governing bodies in our neighboring towns have
adopted programs such as Tree City USA and Sustainable
Jersey to enhance the desirability of the
community. Allendale was successful in saving
land for a village green demonstrating the town’s
commitment to preserving what little open space
remains. Our open space grants seem to fund
pavement, not green parkland. In fact, in 2007,
Wyckoff applied for a $900,000 grant to install an
artificial turf field at Memorial Field. The request
was denied.
How can you help? Extend our green programs in
our schools to our town. Come to a Wyckoff
Township Committee meeting with the class and
express your feelings about open space and green
4 programs in Wyckoff.
| CUMMULATIVE | ||||
| 2008 Bergen County Open Space Grants | Paid In by
Residents |
Paid Out in Grants |
Difference |
|
Allendale |
$75,000 | $1,100,525 | $1,871,764 | +$771,239 |
Franklin Lakes |
$40,000 | $2,653,350 | $2,672,405 | +$19,055 |
Mahwah |
$1,000,000 | $3,762,371 | $6,020,470 | +2,258,099 |
Oakland |
$144,196 | $1,504,795 | $5,355,718 | +3,850,923 |
Wyckoff |
$42,000 |
$2,603,347 |
$667,315 |
($1,939,032) |