Resolution Number
2005-222
(Page 1 of 2)
RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE BOROUGH OF RINGWOOD PETITIONING THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY FOR A STATEWIDE WATER CONSUMPTION SURCHARGE TO PERMANENTLY FUND A “HIGHLANDS ACT PRESERVATION AREA” WATERSHED MUNICIPAL PROPERTY TAX RELIEF AND OPEN SPACE ACQUISITION PROGRAM
WHEREAS, The State of New Jersey has imposed stringent development restrictions in the state’s Highlands’ Preservation Area, which includes Ringwood Borough in its entirety; and
WHEREAS, Ringwood is on record as supporting the Highlands Act as necessary to protect New Jersey’s remaining forested watershed areas and wetlands, but wishes to point out and mitigate the property tax implications of the Highland Act as they apply to the Preservation Area municipalities; and
WHEREAS, these development restrictions are already substantially reducing local revenues from property taxes and building permit fees; and
WHEREAS, the loss of these revenues, coupled with the future loss of potential commercial ratables, will over the years inevitably shift more and more of the local property tax burden onto private homeowners; and
WHEREAS, a transfer-of-development rights program, if adopted, while of considerable benefit to private property owners, would be of little benefit to the affected Preservation Area municipalities; and
WHEREAS, it is noted that the state’s Highlands Act development controls and related costs are imposed on but a few watershed communities, while hundreds of northern New Jersey municipalities stand to benefit immensely from safer and more abundant water supplies as well as improved ratable growth opportunities; and
WHREREAS, it is recognized by all that the cost of the state’s policies of growth control and environmental protection, including protection of our state’s vital water resources, should be more equitably distributed; and
WHEREAS, additional state aid to compensate adversely affected municipalities is unlikely at this time, given the fact that the state’s revenue growth from its two main sources of money, the sales tax and the income tax, remains sluggish; and
WHEREAS; a nominal water consumption surcharge offers a reasonable and convenient revenue source to establish a permanently funded municipal Highland Act Preservation Area watershed aid program; and
Resolution Number
2005-222
(Page 2 of 2)
WHEREAS, it has been estimated that a water surcharge of 3 cents per 1000 gallons of water ($3.27 per year for the average New Jersey family) would raise nearly $12,000,000, 50% of which could be appropriated for the affected municipalities in the Highlands Preservation Area and 50% to acquire privately-owned undeveloped land that has be devalued as a result of the Highlands Act.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Ringwood that we do, hereby, call upon our Governor and State Legislature to impose a nominal water consumption surcharge statewide to permanently fund a municipal watershed aid program to compensate those municipalities whose property tax base is most adversely affected by the state’s growth management, water resource, and environmental protection policies; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to Acting Governor Codey, Senator Henry P. McNamara, Assemblyman Kevin O’Toole, Assemblyman David Russo, Passaic County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the State League of Municipalities.
________________________
WENKE TAULE, MAYOR
I hereby certify that the above Resolution
was adopted by the Municipal Council of
the Borough of Ringwood at its Business
Meeting of June 14, 2005.
_____________________________
KELLEY A. ROHDE, RMC
BOROUGH CLERK
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Council Member |
Motion |
Second |
Ayes |
Nays |
Abstain |
Absent |
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Atlas |
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X |
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Heck |
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X |
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Mac Allen |
X |
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X |
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Marsala |
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X |
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Taukus |
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X |
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O’Hearn |
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X |
X |
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Taule |
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X |
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