Township of Wyckoff, NJ Chapter 170 Taxation

[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Committee of the Township of Wyckoff as indicated in article histories. Amendments noted where applicable.]

Article I Municipal Open Space Tax

[Adopted 5-18-2021 by Ord. No. 1937[1]]

[1] Editor's Note: This ordinance also superseded the former Art. I, Municipal Open Space Tax, adopted 6-21-2016 by Ord. No. 1804, approved at referendum 11-8-2016, which ordinance continued the Municipal Open Space Trust Fund and provided for the related tax levy to be in effect for five years unless extended by the voters of the Township. Complete copies of both ordinances are on file in the Township offices.

§ 170-1 Continuance of Municipal Open Space Trust Fund.

The Township of Wyckoff 's Municipal Open Space Trust Fund shall be maintained and continued for an additional five years, commencing January 1, 2022.[1]

[1] Editor's Note: The original five years were established 8-15-2006 by Ord. No. 1540, approved at referendum 11-7-2006; a complete copy of said ordinance is on file in the Township offices.

§ 170-2 Funding by tax levy; amount of levy.

The Municipal Open Space Trust Fund shall be funded by the continuance of the annual tax levy of $0.005 (1/2 cent) per $100 of assessed valuation.[1]

[1] Editor's Note: The municipal open space tax levy was initially established for a period of five years 8-15-2006 by Ord. No. 1540, approved at referendum 11-7-2006; a complete copy of said ordinance is on file in the Township offices.

§ 170-3 Purpose and use of fund.

All existing and future monies contained in the Municipal Open Space Trust Fund, and all income and interest that accrues thereon, shall be used and allocated for any one or all of the following purposes, or any combination thereof, as determined by the governing body after conducting at least one public hearing:

A. Acquisition of lands for recreation and conservation purposes;

B. Development of lands acquired for recreation and conservation purposes;

C. Maintenance of lands acquired for recreation and conservation purposes;

D. Acquisition of farmland for farmland preservation purposes;

E. Historic preservation of historic properties, structures, facilities, sites, areas, or objects, and the acquisition of such properties, structures, facilities, sites, areas, or objects for historic preservation purposes;

F. Payment of debt service on indebtedness issued or incurred by the municipality for any of the purposes set forth in Subsections A, B, C, D or E of this section;

G. Trust fund monies may be returned to the taxpayers of the Township of Wyckoff as tax relief.

§ 170-4 Effective period.

The annual tax levy utilized to fund the Municipal Open Space Trust Fund shall be in effect for a period of five years commencing January 1, 2022.

§ 170-5 Referendum required.

This article shall not take effect until it is approved by the voters in a public question at the next general election on November 2, 2021.[1]

[1] Editor's Note: This article was approved by referendum at said general election.