Community Preservation Fund public hearing set for Aug. 3

Residents would vote in November on whether to impose transfer tax on real estate transactions Warwick — In November, voters in the Town of Warwick will go to the polls to decide whether to implement a three-quarters of a percent transfer tax on most real estate transactions. That money would go into a Community Preservation Fund, which would then be used to preserve open space throughout the town. On Thursday, Aug. 3, the Town of Warwick will hold a public hearing to create that fund, as well as hold a hearing on the plan that has been drafted, listing properties that may be eligible for protection. Supervisor Michael Sweeton stressed that the plan includes properties that are eligible for preservation. None of the properties are mandated to participate. “This program does not impose anything on anybody,” said Sweeton. “If property is included in the plan it means it is eligible. It is not mandatory.” Town expects to adopt plan on Aug. 17 A copy of the plan is in the town clerk’s office for review. Properties listed include open space, trails, aquifer recharge areas, recreation areas, historic sites and agricultural sites. All contribute to open space, according to Sweeton. The plan was devised by Sweeton, Conservation Board member Bill Olsen, councilman Leonard DeBuck, the Orange County Planning Department and the town’s planners, Ted Fink and Maryann Johnson. And while the list of properties is extensive, Sweeton said anyone who wishes to amend the plan should come to the hearing on Thursday. Once the plan is adopted, probably at the town’s Aug. 17 meeting, it may not be modified for three years. The state legislature approved the Warwick Community Preservation Act last summer, allowing the town to put before its voters the proposal to create a transfer tax on real estate transactions. The money from the tax would be put into a preservation fund and used to purchase open space throughout the town. Before that referendum can be held, the town must create the fund and adopt the plan 60 days before the November election. The town has purchased the development rights to 10 properties since passing a town-wide Purchase of Development Rights referendum in 2000. It allowed the town to raise and use $9.5 million to buy the development rights to properties in an effort to maintain open space. The town has preserved more than 1,200 acres of land through this program so far. Opponents: Make it more difficult for home buyers In May, the town hosted real estate agents from Long Island, where a similar program was implemented in the late 1980s. The program was met with much opposition from Realtors — just like this one here in Warwick. That opposition was short-lived as the Long Island real estate market thrived under its PDR program. Overall, realtors here in Warwick haven’t been swayed. Instead, they believe this will make it more difficult for home buyers to buy a house in Warwick. Proponents of the plan feel that keeping open space will only add to real estate values in Warwick, as they have on Long Island. If approved by voters in November, the tax would be imposed during the second quarter of 2007. The public hearing begins at 7 p.m.