Campton Township
Public Hearing Minutes
Open Space Plan II
An Amendment of Open Space Plan I

The November 9, 2004 Public Hearing on the Open Space Plan II, an amendment of Open Space Plan I, was called to order by Supervisor Anderson at 7:00 p.m. at the Community Center.  The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. 

Review and Discuss Proposed Open Space Plan II:

Members of the public attending the meeting were provided copies of the 2004 Campton Township Open Space Plan II document. 

Supervisor Anderson stated we are here to take public comment on the proposed Open Space Plan II, which is an amendment of our first Open Space Plan.  We had a Public Hearing on this last week.  This is the second of two Public Hearings on the Plan.  He read from the Mission Statement on page three which describes the purposes of the Plan including passive and active recreation, conservation of the environment, floodplain protection, and to preserve the semi-rural character of the township.  He went on to identify the properties involved on page five.  He described costs on page 12 which are that we can begin with 10 million available, but as the township’s equalized assessed valuation (EAV) goes up, we may bond up to .05 % of the township’s EAV which could reach a 28 million ceiling within five years.   From page 14 he referred to the time table for implementing the plan, and on page 18 to sample questions for voters at the referendum.  Finally he stated we would take public comment for as long as needed. 

Public Comment:

Ellen Harris asked is there a place in the Plan that says what we will do with the land?  N. Anderson said the mission statement says this.  E. Harris asked what about the area by Poynor?  Answer was the Open Space Committee would make recommendations.  E. Harris asked would the residents have input after purchase?  Answer was yes, but we can’t go public until after we buy it because developers could bid against us.  Cindi Moller asked if the first round acquisition is in yellow?  N. Anderson stated we can take them out of order.  C. Moller asked will the objectives of Preserve Campton be taken into consideration?  Answer was yes.  Where is the pink two property?  This is the Inland property in the northwest quadrant.  Jim Tang asked what will the cost be?  Assessor Rottmann answered the cost will be $199.50 per year on a $300,000 house.  That assumes the township equalized assessed valuation (EAV) rises to the level the township can bond the full 28 million.  If not, the tax would be less, but not more.  The first year the tax would be $75.00 on a $300,000 house for the 10 million.  Then it would go up as the township EAV goes up, but not above $199.50 for a $300,000 house because the bond cost is limited at 28 million.  Jim Tang asked what about maintenance?  Would that be a separate tax?  Answer was no, we already have a five year budget for maintenance, and we will also have wetland mitigation income.  Al Lenkaitis asked what is the chance of purchasing property if we don’t pass the referendum?  N. Anderson stated we are almost out of money.  We can’t buy more without it.  Development is coming.  Now is the time to buy.  Al Rottmann stated we can stretch our dollars by buying development rights instead of outright purchase, and by applying for grants to match  referendum dollars.  Jim Breunlin asked if the second group of property owners has been contacted?  N. Anderson answered yes, we sent notices to all property owners.  The township will only deal with willing sellers.  Patsy Smith stated the total cost of the land is 57 million.  K. Judy stated that would be the cost if all the land is purchased.  We will not be able to purchase all the land.  Lawrence Motz stated he sees a discrepancy between the market value and the cost listed.  N. Anderson stated that could be an earlier appraisal.  K. Judy stated she spoke with the bond counsel who said when referring to the Open Space Plan II, we should state this is an amendment of Open Space Plan I.  Clerk Johansen read the public comments of Andrea Koppenhoffer, Dave Corron, Denise Morgan, Barb. Wojnicki, Ron Petrucci, and Patsy Smith from the earlier Public Hearing of November 4, 2004, to the Board and public.  He then read a letter from the DeBeir family stating their endorsement of Campton Township’s Open Space Program, and the hope their property would become a part of it.  Ron Petrucci stated Elgin came into Campton Township and bought land next to some of our open space.  Jerry Johnson stated that points out how important it is to take action now, because the opportunity may not be there even a year from now.  We can connect the pieces for a corridor effect.  We can use conservation easements. We can partner with governmental and non-governmental entities.  We should act now.  The opportunity won’t be there even a year from now. 

Adjournment:

Supervisor Anderson adjourned the Public Hearing. 

                                                                        Respectfully Submitted,

                                                                        Richard Johansen

                                                                        Clerk