Notice of 08.01.2023 public hearing regarding continuation of funding for open space acquisitions

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Town Board of the Town of Pound Ridge will hold a public hearing on August 1, 2023, commencing at 7:00 pm, or as soon thereafter as time allows, to provide an opportunity for public comment on the following proposed resolution regarding continuation of the funding of the Open Space Acquisition Fund:

WHEREAS, the Town, by Resolution, as approved by Town-wide referendum in November 2000, established a Capital Reserve Fund for the acquisition of open space within the Town, funded by a general property tax levy (“Open Space Acquisition Fund”); and

WHEREAS, the Town, having renewed and refunded that Open Space Acquisition Fund by Resolution, also approved by Town-wide referendum in November 2010, for a period of ten years commencing January 1, 2011 and thereafter by Resolution Town-wide Referendum extended the Open Space Acquisition Fund to December 31, 2023; and

WHEREAS, the Town’s Open Space Acquisition Fund funding is scheduled to expire on December 31, 2023; now it is hereby 

RESOLVED, that Town of Pound Ridge hereby approves the re-funding and continuation of the Town Open Space Acquisition Fund for a period of ten (10) years beginning January 1, 2024. This resolution shall be effective August 31, 2023 subject to an affirmative Town-wide referendum to be held at the General Election on November 7, 2023; and it is further

RESOLVED, that the referendum shall read as follows:

Shall the Town of Pound Ridge continue to make contributions to a capital reserve fund dedicated to acquiring ownership rights, easements or interests in Open Space areas, as defined in Section 247 of the General Municipal Law, and to maintaining and preserving those Open Space areas previously or hereafter acquired by the fund.  Such contributions shall continue to be financed from the annual general tax levy for a period of ten (10) years, commencing January 1, 2024, of $1 per $1,000 of assessed value from 2024 thought 2033. 

And it is further

RESOLVED, that the Clerk of the Town of Pound Ridge be authorized to execute any and all documents necessary to effect this resolution and the placement of the referendum on the November 2023 Ballot.

The public may attend the hearing either in person at the Town House, 179 Westchester Avenue, Pound Ridge, or via Zoom videoconference using the following login/dial-in information:

Join with video:   https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83121291089

Join by phone with audio only:   Dial-in number: 929-205-6099
Meeting ID: 831 2129 1089

Those who prefer to observe the meeting but not to participate may view livestream video at https://vimeo.com/event/2423847.