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Ballot Questions 04/22/08

BUCKINGHAM TOWNSHIP OPEN SPACE REFERENDUM

Shall debt of Buckingham Township be authorized to be incurred as debt approved by the electors in the sum of up to Twenty Million Dollars ($20,000,000.00) for the purpose of acquiring agricultural conservation easements, open space, recreational land and transferable development rights?

YES or NO

PLAIN ENGLISH STATEMENT

The ballot question asks the voters of Buckingham Township whether the Township
should borrow up to $20,000,000.00 to purchase agricultural conservation easements, open space, recreational land, and transferable development rights, in order to preserve open, undeveloped land in Buckingham Township.  The Township would use the money to do one or more of the following:

1.         Acquire agricultural conservation easements.  The Township could purchase    
            agricultural conservation easements or participate in State or County land
            preservation programs that acquire agricultural conservation easements.  An
            agricultural conservation easement allows the landowner to retain his/her land
            and use it for farming and other agricultural purposes.

2.         Finance the acquisition of open space.  The Township could purchase
            undeveloped land from landowners in the Township in order to protect   
            sensitive natural areas such as woodlands, stream valleys or other unique
            natural resources or habitats.

3.         Finance the acquisition of recreational land.  The Township could purchase
            undeveloped land from landowners in the Township for the purpose of
            developing additional recreational facilities for residents.

4.         Acquire Property Development Rights.  Under this option, a landowner would
            sell the development rights of a property to the Township.  The landowner would
            retain the property, but the property could not be developed.  The development
            rights could be transferred to a more appropriate site.

A vote of “YES” to the ballot question approves borrowing the money for these purposes.