2007 News
September 5 , 2007
Commissioners Authorize November 6 General Election Ballot Question Language
Referendum Calls for $87 Million Open Space Borrowing
Paving the way for a second 10-year Open Space Referendum question, building on the $59 million referendum that Bucks County voters approved overwhelmingly in May, 1997, Commissioners Charles H. Martin, Chairman, James F. Cawley, Esq. and Sandra A. Miller today unanimously approved a resolution to place a question on the Nov. 6 General Election ballot. The resolution, which authorized the borrowing $87 million for open space preservation, was passed in an appropriately scenic venue, Solebury Twp.’s Audubon Society.
The question follows the recommendations of the June 20, 2007 report of the commissioners’ Open Space Task Force II, which was led by Bensalem Twp.’s Tony Belfield and Perkasie’s Hon. William Hart Rufe. In that report, Belfield, Rufe and the other 22 citizen members of the task force outlined the purpose of the Bucks County Open Space program as “designed to protect in perpetuity the unique and valuable open space which has for so long defined the character of Bucks County.” Properties preserved through the program must have either deed restrictions or conservation easements that protect and exclude them from development.
The proposed $87 million borrowing includes the following breakdown of five open space categories:
- Agricultural Land Preservation: $25 million
- Natural Areas: $11 million
- Municipal Open Space: $26 million
- Delaware Riverfront: $7 million
- County Parks & Recreation: $18 million
To date, the county’s Agricultural Land Preservation program has preserved 109 farms totaling 9,919 acres – placing it firmly on course to reach the 10,000-acre milestone
as a significant prelude the upcoming referendum. Furthermore, the initial $59 million referendum has leveraged more than $100 million dollars of federal, state and municipal funding for open-space acquisition.
At the recommendation of Open Space Task Force II, the proposed borrowing also includes $7 million to be dedicated to the “Delaware Riverfront,” of the 17 municipalities that lie adjacent to Bucks County’s eastern border. This is a new component of the program, dedicated to protecting one of the county’s most precious natural resources.
“We are truly appreciative of the groundwork that has been put in place by the members of Open Space Task Force II,” Chairman Martin noted.
To view the Open Space Task Force II report in its entirety, please click here.
“The recommendations of Open Space Task Force II provide us with a blueprint for the future of the program,” observed Commissioner Cawley.
Commissioner Miller, whose leadership has been a key element of the county’s open-space planning and acquisition, points out that the future of Bucks County’s open space endeavors depends on promoting and ensuring stewardship – two elements that were supported strongly by the members of Open Space Task Force II.
2007 Open Space Task Force Members:
Anthony Belfield, Bensalem, Chairman
Hon. William Hart Rufe, Perkasie, Vice-chairman
Kenneth Beer, Hilltown Nancy Keenan, Perkasie
Peter Boor, Doylestown George Kiriakidi, Hartsville
Susanne Curran, Lower Makefield Jorden Krauss, Pipersville
Daren Eppley, Southampton Barbara Lyons, Doylestown
Jim Ewing, Bensalem Norman MacArthur, Erwinna
Nicholas Forte, Erwinna Jane Magne, Penn’s Park
Mike Fournier, Doylestown Jeffrey Marshall, Doylestown
Frank Froio, Plumsteadville Michelle Smyser, Lahaska
Fred Groshens, New Britain James Walsh, Milford
Susan Hewitt, Newtown Hon. Katharine Watson, Warrington
Marilyn Jacobson, Chalfont William Wert, Newtown