West Windsor voters overwhelmingly approved a referendum question on the November 8 ballot to reduce the township’s open space tax — a move that will prevent the amount they pay in open spaces taxes from doubling in 2006.##M:[more]##
The measure lowers the tax rate for the municipal open space tax from 7 cents per $100 of assessed valuation to 5 cents through the end of next year. Because the overall tax rate will decrease in 2006 when the values from the ongoing property revaluation hit the books, keeping the open space tax at its current level would have meant the township would be collecting more than it needed.
For example, the owner of a home with a current assessed valuation of $200,”000 would pay $140 annually in municipal open space taxes. Because that home is expected to double in value after the revaluation, the homeowner would wind up paying $280 for the tax.
The referendum passed by an almost 3-1 margin, with 4,”518 voters approving the reduction, and 1,”577 voting against. Overall, almost 52 percent (7,”294) of the township’s 14,”098 registered voters showed at the polls. This was down from the 72 percent that voted in the 2004 presidential election, but significantly higher than the 29 percent that cast ballots in the township’s municipal election in May.
The referendum calls for a one-year adjustment to the open space rate, and would give time for the township administration to calculate a rate for 2007 based on actual assessment. The new rate would need to be approved in another referendum, or the open space tax would revert to 7 cents in 2007.
The tax was instituted in 1993, when township voters approved a referendum authorizing a municipal open space tax of 1 cent per $100 of assessed valuation, and then increased the amount to 2 cents in 1995. In a referendum in 1998, voters supported a 5-cent increase to the tax to fund the acquisition of land and ongoing maintenance of open space.
Other races showed a tendency for West Windsor voters to re-elect incumbents, regardless of political party, according to preliminary results issued by the township, which did not include provisional and absentee ballots.
The biggest surprise, though, came in the vote for governor, where the majority of votes went to Democrat Jon Corzine over Republican Doug Forrester — a long-time West Windsor resident and former mayor and member of township committee. Corzine received 3,”790 votes, while Forrester only received 3,”249. A district breakdown showed Corzine outgaining Forrester in 11 of the township’s 16 voting districts.
Other candidates on the ballot fared as follows: Hector Castillo of Education Not Corruption, with 71 votes; Matthew Thieke of the Green Party, 42; Jeffrey Pawlowski of the Libertarian Party, 32; Edward Forchion of Legalize Marijuana, 7; Michael Latigona of One New Jersey, 7; Wesley Bell of End Pay to Play, 5; Costantino Rozzo of Socialist Party USA, 4; and Angela Lariscy of the Socialist Works Party, 2.
Write-in votes included Acting Governor Cody, with 29; Bret Schundler, 2; and Anyone Else, 1.
For two two-year seats in the state Assembly’s 14th District, West Windsor residents gave the majority of their votes to the incumbents — Democrat Linda Greenstein with 3,”899 votes, and Republican Bill Baroni, with 3,”497. Daniel Benson, Greenstein’s running mate, was third with 3,”173 votes, and Baroni’s running mate, Michael Paquette, was last with 2,”825. Both Greenstein and Baroni were re-elected.
Also receiving voters were Libertarian Party candidates Jason Scheurer, with 75, and William Hunsicker, 73. Write-in candidates included Alison Miller, a former member of Township Council and unsuccessful candidate for mayor in May, with 1; and former mayor and councilwoman Carole Carson, with 1.
In the election for Mercer County Sheriff, incumbent Democrat Kevin Larkin received 3,”487 votes, while Republican challenger Paul Lagana garnered 3,”076. Larkin was re-elected. Among the write-ins for sheriff was a single vote for Pokey J. Poopooma III.
In the County Clerk race, West Windsor voters gave a slight edge to incumbent Republican Catherine DiCostanzo, with 3,”404 votes, over Democrat Paula Sollami-Covello, who received 3,”280. Covello was named the winner in a race that was decided by a slim margin.
Both Democratic incumbents received the nod from West Windsor voters in the race for two open seats on the Board of Freeholders. Lucy Walter was the top-getter with 3,”534 votes followed by running mate Tony Mack, with 3,”433. Republican Joseph D’Angelo came in second with 3,”093, while running mate Sylvester Bobby Bryant was last with 2,”840.
One write-in vote of note went to popular animated cartoon character Spongebob Squarepants.
West Windsor resident also voted in favor of both statewide referendum questions on the ballot. On Public Question 1, residents voted 4,”137 to 2,”019 in favor of the creation of the office of lieutenant governor.
Question 2, which calls for a change in the state constitution to pay for a diesel emission reduction program, was approved in West Windsor 4,”082 to 1960.
Statewide, both referendums were approved.
