Departments

Community Services

Board of Elections

Ballot Questions 11/08/05

BEDMINSTER TOWNSHIP
LAND PRESERVATION REFERENDUM

"Do you favor the imposition of an Earned Income Tax at the rate of .25% by Bedminster Township to be used for financing the acquisition of open space; for the purpose of acquiring  agricultural conservation easements and for the purpose of acquiring recreation or historic lands?

YES or NO

Plain English Version:  The ballot question asks the voters of Bedminster Township whether the
Township should impose an Earned Income Tax at the rate of .25% on an annual basis to purchase land or interests in land for preservation and conservation of open, undeveloped land in Bedminster Township.  The Township would use the money to do one (1) or more of the following:

1.   Acquire agricultural or natural resource conservation easements:  The Township would purchase agricultural conservation easements or participate in State or County land preservation programs which 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 would 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 recreation or historic land:  The Township would purchase undeveloped land from landowners in the Township for the purpose of developing additional recreational facilities for residents or for historic preservation purposes.

4.   Acquire transferable 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 the imposition of an Earned Income Tax at a rate of .25% upon Township residents for the foregoing purposes.

PERKASIE BOROUGH
FIRE TRUCK REFERENDUM

Shall the Borough of Perkasie be authorized to incur electoral debt in an amount not to exceed $850,000 for the purpose of financing and purchasing a new ladder fire truck for the Perkasie Fire Department to replace an existing 30 year old fire truck?

YES or NO

Plain English Statement:  The ballot question asks the voters of the Borough of Perkasie whether the Borough should borrow up to Eight Hundred and Fifty Thousand Dollars ($850,000) over a ten year period for the purpose of financing the purchase of a new ladder truck for the Perkasie Borough Fire Company.  The Borough would use the money that is borrowed for this direct purpose and pay back the loan over a ten year period.  The approval of the indebtedness for the borrowing by the voters would allow the borrowing to not be counted against the normal debt limits imposed by the state.

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

PLUMSTEAD TOWNSHIP
LAND PRESERVATION REFERENDUM

YES or NO

Plain English Version:  The ballot question asks the voters of Plumstead Township whether the Township should borrow up to Eight Million Dollars ($8,000,000.00) over a ten (10) year period to purchase land or an interest in land to preserve open, undeveloped land in Plumstead Township.  The Township would use the money to do one (1) or more of the following:

1. Finance the acquisition of open space:  The Township would purchase undeveloped land or farmland from land owners in the Township and would restrict the land from development.

2. Acquire agricultural or natural resource conservation easements:  The Township would purchase agricultural or natural resource conservation easements or participate in state or county land preservation programs which acquire agricultural or natural resource  easements. A conservation easement prevents a land owner from developing his/her land but allows the land owner to retain his/her land for farming or conservation purposes.

3.   Acquire property development rights:  Under this option, a land owner would sell some or all of the development rights in a property to the Township, thereby reducing density for future development.  The land owner would retain the property, but once the development rights are sold, the development of the property would be limited.

4.  Acquire recreation or historical lands:  The Township would purchase land or interests in  land for recreational activities or historical preservation purposes.

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

SOLEBURY TOWNSHIP
OPEN SPACE DEBT AUTHORIZATION REFERENDUM

“Shall debt be authorized to be incurred as debt approved by the electors in the sum of Eighteen Million Dollars ($18,000,000) for the purpose of financing the acquisition of open space; for the purpose of acquiring agricultural or conservation easements; and for the purpose of acquiring land for recreation?”

YES or NO

Plain English Statement:  Electoral Debt

In order to preserve agricultural land and open space in Solebury Township the Board of Supervisors wishes to acquire land, acquire, protect and preserve open space.  To finance the purchase of land or development rights, the Board seeks to incur debt approved by the voters up to the amount of Eighteen Million Dollars ($18,000,000).  A vote “Yes” to the ballot question approves borrowing money for these purposes.

UPPER MAKEFIELD TOWNSHIP
LAND PRESERVATION REFERENDUM

“Shall debt be authorized to be incurred as debt approved by the electors in one (1) or more increments over a ten (10) year period, and not to exceed the sum of Ten Million Dollars ($10, 000,000.00) in the aggregate, for the purpose of financing the acquisition of open space; for the purpose of acquiring agricultural and natural resource conservation easements; for the purpose of acquiring property development rights; and for the purpose of acquiring historic lands?”

   YES or NO           

Plain English Version:  The ballot question asks the voters of Upper Makefield Township whether the Township should borrow up to Ten Million Dollars ($10,000,000.00) over a ten (10) year period to purchase land or an interest in land to preserve open, undeveloped or historic land in Upper Makefield Township.  The Township would use the money to do one (1) or more of the following:

1. Finance the acquisition of open space:  The Township would purchase undeveloped land or farmland from land owners in the Township and would restrict the land from development.

2. Acquire agricultural or natural resource conservation easements:  The Township would purchase agricultural or natural resource conservation easements or participate in state or county land preservation programs which acquire agricultural or natural resource  easements.  A conservation easement prevents or limits a land owner from developing his/her land but allows the land owner to retain his/her land for farming or conservation purposes.

3. Acquire property development rights:  Under this option, a land owner would sell some or all of the development rights in a property to the Township, thereby reducing density for future development.  The land owner would retain the property, but once the development rights are sold, the development of the property would be limited.

4.  Acquire historic lands:  The Township would purchase land or interests in  land for historic preservation purposes.

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