Open Space Committee - FAQ's
Question: What is Open Space?
Open Space means many things. It means land for parks and preserves, as well as ballparks and playing fields. It means protecting our drinking water which most of us get from wells.
Question: What is the Open Space Bond Referendum?
It is a proposition authorizing the town to borrow up to $3 million in bonds to be used for the preservation and acquisition of open space areas in North Castle. This referendum was passed on November 2004.
Question: The cost of land in North Castle is soaring. How much open space can actually be preserved with $3 million?
Having an open space preservation fund demonstrates a town’s commitment to open space preservation and enables the town to leverage other funds from County, State and Federal agencies and the many private land trust preservation groups for purchasing assistance. For example, in Lewisboro, which had a $2 million bond proposition, the town spent $500,000 combined with $3.7 million from State, County, and private donors to purchase the 112-acre Old Field Preserve. In Irvington, which had a $3 million bond proposition, the town spent $1.5 million combined with $3 million from the County, $500,000 each from the Open Space Institute and Scenic Hudson, and $330,000 from New York State to purchase the 40-acre Westwood property.
Question: How much will my taxes go up?
Your taxes will not increase until money is actually spent to purchase an open space parcel. This proposition simply authorizes the Town to borrow up to $3 million, but the Town will not actually borrow any money until a parcel is chosen to purchase. If the full $3 million were borrowed at one time, which is unlikely, property taxes in North Castle would increase $2.18 per thousand of assessed valuation. Based on the median assessment, the annual amount a taxpayer would have to pay to support an open space bond of $3 million with a 20 year term is $39. This tax increase is tax deductible.
Question: How do you know that North Castle residents want to preserve open space?
In November 2004, the Open Space Bond Referendum passed by an overwhelming 68%.
Question: North Castle already has much open space. Why are you trying to stop others from living in North Castle?
The Open Space Bond Referendum is not anti-development. We do not presume to stop development. We welcome new neighbors as our neighbors welcomed us. However, there are environmentally sensitive lands that must be protected. Most of us are dependent upon wells for our drinking water. Our community needs recreation trails and parks for biking, hiking and playing. North Castle is rich in historic sites and as a community we may choose to protect and preserve some of those properties.
Question: Do other towns have open space preservation funds?
Yes. To date, eleven towns in Westchester have passed open space bond propositions. Some of these towns are New Castle, Bedford, Lewisboro, North Salem, and Pound Ridge. Since the first ballot propositions were passed four years ago, seven Westchester communities have committed $11.4 million and combined with $17.2 million from New York State, Westchester County and private sources, they have preserved a total of 516 acres. Almost 1,000 additional acres are in the pipeline.
Question: What land in North Castle will be purchased?
The Open Space Committee is developing a process that will identify properties for acquisition that will benefit all Town residents so that the expenditure of bond proceeds is warranted. This process will draw upon the research performed by the Open Space Study Committee. In 2003, the Open Space Study Committee presented a detailed report on the open space parcels of 10 acres or more in North Castle. This report was the result of two years of work by the committee analyzing the environmentally sensitive areas in our Town. Once a selection has been made, a recommendation will be made to the Town Board for approval of the acquisition.
Question: Will bond monies always be used in order to buy land?
No. Purchasing significant parcels of land is only one part of an overall program of open space protection advocated by the North Castle Open Space Committee. There are several ways to preserve open space in addition to buying the land outright. Among these are donations, land swaps, and conservation easements placed on the property in perpetuity, which may be purchased by the Town or donated by property owners. We will continue our efforts to encourage residents to consider the use of conservation easements as a way to preserve open space at little or no cost to the town and with the potential for sizeable tax benefits for the landowner.
