I Just watched the town meeting...

[Ginger_Hoffmeier]

It appears that we might be getting the Pinnacle site out of the hands of developers. Hooray! Bravo!

It  borders both the reservoir property and that other huge parcel of land known as the Harms site. The plan is for the state to kick in some green acres money and the county to pay for some of it. Howell will have to come up with a quarter of the cost.

I would like to see the county park system develop and manage it. A good-sized spring-fed lake with a clean sandy beach for swimming would be a welcome addition. The county can use our dredger to build it.

The county did a superb job with the reservoir park (and all the other parks they manage.) They have more experience and resources to draw on. They have a great planning department, landscape architects, equipment and staff to maintain it and rangers to staff it.

The cost would be spread out over the whole county so Howell residents won't have to maintain and staff it. A building similar to the one on the reservoir could be built as a clubhouse. It might bring in revenue if rented out for weddings. Howell recreation could use it for teen (or adult) dances and offer summer camp programs. The county park system has the staff and experience to do this.

Ex-Mayor DiBella almost cost us a once in a lifetime opportunity to acquire this property. Kudos to our new mayor and council for acting on this. I soooo hope it happens!

On another subject, John Budzash spoke twice at the meeting and even volunteered. John was the major player and driving force in the huge Hands Across NJ tax revolt. It seems he is still filled with fire.
I'm a little puzzled by this rare appearance because the last time John and I talked he was suing the town. I guess that worked out well.

(This was one of those meetings that you should find the time to watch.)

By the way, Bob, Ex-Mayor Di Bella wasn't the first to call the reservoir "Howell's crown jewel." This term was first used when the reservoir was just a low spot and some plans on the drawing board at the Monmouth County Park System. He wasn't even in Howell then.

If I remember right DiBella wanted to build a school there. If it wasn't for DiBella wanting Howell to have full control of this property (along with all the expense) we would have owned it already.

That's water under the bridge and I have to hand it to Bob Walsh and the council for pulling these chestnuts out of the fire. 

[Pat Garaffa]

"Howell will have to come up with a quarter of the cost."

That would be great!  The beach idea would be nice too but I doubt that will happen due to manpower (rangers and lifeguard) requirements.    Maybe they could just put an alligator in the water along with a “Swim at your own risk” sign.  

A little community area, gazebo or gathering place would be nice too but parking is always a challenge.  We aren’t a pedestrian friendly community here so anything built needs to be tripled to accommodate the cars.  Sidewalks would make sense but where would they go? 

And the money should be easier to raise now since the open space tax doubled during the re-valuation.  

Huh?  

Yes – it doubled.

We initially voted for a 1 penny tax many years ago.  And then they kicked it up to 2 cents and we voted on that too.  But those numbers (and the amount that was voted upon) was based on the original lower assessment.  And on average, this tax represented about 40 bucks per household.  

Unlike all the other taxable items (library, county, fire, etc) this tax is not a percentage of the tax and is fixed at 2 cents per $100.  

Our valuations doubled a few years ago and all of the taxes were cut in half to maintain equity in the collections.   But not this tax.  It was fixed at 2 cents per 100 and it stayed at 2 cents with the new assessment.  Therefore, it actually doubled when the values went up and so did the amount of money collected.  What once averaged $40 is now between $80 and 100 per year per home.      

They should have informed the residents of the discrepancy.  Or maybe adjusted it to maintain the consistency with the remaining taxes.  Or just put the higher amount to another vote.  After all – we originally voted in favor of a 40 dollar tax so why did the extra 40 just get ushered in without a vote?  The voter’s results may have been different if they presented it as an 80 or a 100 dollar tax.  

Regardless – I’m fine with it and it doesn’t amount to much money.  And as long as it’s used properly they should continue because we all benefit.  They need to spend it twice as fast now and grab what they can - especially since these prices are down.  

The town’s coffers are up and property is FOR SALE and ON-SALE too.  Unlike 99% of America, they (this department) are in a better place financially so let’s see some smart purchases!

[Ginger_Hoffmeier]

There's 21 acres of land adjacent to the Harms Site that the owner would probably sell . Plenty of room for parking... Also, the Pinnacle Site has room for parking. I'm assuming that parking lots do not have to be paved but can be gravel...

Every penny the town spends on open space saves the town dollars on educating more kids. Can't beat a bargain like that! It also enhances the property value in the rest of town, keeps the air clean, keeps water in the ground, provides opportunity for passive recreation (like the reservoir) and adds "curb appeal" to the town.

I don't see how any politician can screw this up as a campaign point.