The proposal seeks a 1.5 cents increase - per $100 of assessed value - in the open space tax.
ROBBINSVILLE -- The township council recently approved a resolution to add an open space tax increase question to the November ballot, the mayor announced.
If approved by voters, the tax increase would purchase and preserve almost 400 acres in town from development, Mayor Dave Fried announced.
The proposal seeks a 1.5 cents increase - per $100 of assessed property value - in the open space tax.
Fried has proposed raising the tax to purchase approximately 200 acres on Robbinsville-Edinburg Road across from Robbinsville High School, and as well as the former Miry Run Golf Course on Sharon Road, which is 189 acres.
Fried said 50 homes are proposed on the Robbinsville-Edinburgh Road tract.
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"This is not a request I make lightly,'' Fried said in a statement. "However, we are very confident this will actually save tax dollars over the long haul since we know that for every 100 homes we keep from being built the township saves $1 million in essential services."
"One of the primary reasons we have been able to keep taxes stable and deliver two straight years of tax cuts is by limiting residential development and looking at potential open space we could use to benefit the entire community," Fried said.
Residents will receive a letter from Mayor Dave Fried in their 2016 tax bill reminding residents of the proposed increase, the statement said.
Fried first announced the land purchases in April, art the annual state of the township address.
Robbinsville also posted a online survey on their website to gauge support for the question.
Kevin Shea may be reached at kshea@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter@kevintshea. Find NJ.com on Facebook.