Andover voters to decide fate of Open Space Trust referendum

ANDOVER — This year’s general election on November 7 has a lot of buzz on a national level, with 33 seats up for grabs in the United States Senate alone. In Andover, however, Dan Freed and ten or so volunteers will be focused on a more local issue. They will have to sit back and hope the last nine months of hard work will turn the voters out to the polls to say yes for the proposed Open Space eferendum. The months of research, public notices, mailers, door knocking and an open house all boil down to what the residents of Andover will do on election day. Last February, Freed began his drive for Andover to have it’s own Open Space Trust. The existence of the trust “is part of a process that allows us to have access to matching funds from the county, state and other grants,” he explained. Freed pointed out the surrounding towns, Byram, Stillwater and Lafayette among them, already have Open Space Trusts and can already access these grants. The referendum calls for tax on 1¢ per $100 of a home’s value. “With the average home value of $289,000, that amounts to less than $30 a year for most home owners in Andover,” said Freed. The referendum also has a cap on it. If passed, the town would start out with a 1¢/$100 tax, and would be unable to raise it past 2¢ without having to pass another referendum. If the referendum passes, a formal Open Space Committee will be created. Meetings that are open to the public will be held in which they will keep the public views and interests in mind while the committee creates an Open Space Plan. The fund can be used to buy land and preserve farmland, or historical sites, watersheds, green ways or natural habitats. They can also create athletic fields and parks. This past Tuesday, Freed presented a brief update to the township committee. Freed spoke of the open house that he and his wife hosted a few weeks ago. They were pleased with the turnout of 48 people. Freed felt the informational meeting was well received, and cleared up a lot of misinformation. “We’re not going to force you to sell your home.” All possible purchases made by the town with the trusts funds would be from voluntary sales, and the town would have to bid on them as if it were just another buyer. Freed also pointed out the committee doesn’t want to stop development from happening, just to guide it in the right direction to preserve the life of the town. “We just want the town to be able to compete with developers and anyone else to buy the property.” Freed then thanked everyone who has volunteered their time and lent their support, adding one final sentiment. “We’re in the home stretch now.”