Dog Park Possible in Bloomingdale's Future
ROSE Fund allocations recommended to borough council.
Amidst a conversation about how to disburse the money collected this year through the borough's Recreation and Open Space Establishment (ROSE) Trust Fund, Bloomingdale Mayor Jonathan Dunleavy told council members March 12 he would like to see the borough apply for grant funding to create a dog park at Oakwood Lake next year.
The council heard a presentation from the ROSE Fund Committee during the meeting as part of an annual action where committee members present a "wish list" of items to the council for the borough's recreation and open space needs. This year's list included a dog walk and several other items.
The committee also recommends how much of the money collected from the ROSE tax should go toward recreation and open space. The ROSE Fund is a dedicated tax collected by the borough annually. It was approved by referendum in 2001.
Last year, the committee divded the allocations so that 25 percent of the tax money would be spent on recreation, 25 percent on parks and maintenance, 25 percent as discretionary funds and 25 percent on open space. This year, as recommended by Chairman Ed Simoni, the committee recommended 35 percent be spent on recreation, 35 percent be spent on parks and maintenance, 20 percent for discretionary funds and 10 percent for open space.
"Recreation and parks may need some extra capital due to damage from the winter," Simoni said.
As the borough continues to discuss and consider creating a river walk behind the senior center, Simoni said the higher percentage of distribution to one of the ROSE Fund sections designated to fund park maintenance could be beneficial.
"Some of the funding to get this started may come from parks," he said.
Mr. Tom Fox
8:51 am on Thursday, March 21, 2013
Since the Boro now ownes the piece of property located between Glenwild Ave, and Reeves Ave., that not to long ago was looked at by a builder to build condo's, whats the possibility of taking some of the Rose Fund money and putting it towards clearing and marking the trails within this beautiful piece of property and maybe even putting in some signage and picnic tables for visitors to enjoy. A walking trail and a dog park could both easily be added to this existing piece of property and the cost would be minimal... Currently, there is no maintenance being done in that park what-so-ever and it needs a really good "spring cleaning"!
Karen
10:40 am on Thursday, March 21, 2013
The piece of property you are referencing, commonly called "the Ball tract", and now part of Friendship Park, is owned by the county, not the town. The Town and the Environmental Commission has been discussing maintnenacne of this property with the county. The county is waiting for the spring to begin planting, more clean-up and additional changes. Trails have already been marked on the property and several resdients have taken advantage of the trails for walks.
Lisa
10:08 am on Thursday, March 21, 2013
I think its a terrible idea for a dog park think of all the dog barking and who is going to be paid to clean after the dogs messes. and also will the Bro be responsible if someone for a child gets bit ? use the money for something else .
L.
11:28 am on Thursday, March 21, 2013
Dog parks are generally a separate and fenced in area. It is not a dog kennel, owners bring/stay with their dogs to socialize off the leash. There are usually rules, for example, dogs must be licensed, clean up after your own dog, and children are generally not permitted inside the enclosed area. There aren't any in the triboro area, but I wonder how many dog licenses have been issued?
Give it a chance. Vote "YES" for a dog park.
mearle
12:41 pm on Thursday, March 21, 2013
Not that a dog park isn't a nice idea, but really? Bloomingdale has a park that has been closed for years (bridge anyone?), ponds that look like they need dredged and are full of muck, a RENTED rec center etc. I don't claim to have any answers but one has to believe that with some thought a option for spending the funds in a manner that would serve more residents better could be put on the table. If the council is looking for places to spend the funds, perhaps they could lower the tax rate and help the residents of Bloomingdale who pay some of the highest property taxes anywhere. Bloomingdale must start thinking smarter and spending in ways that will increase property values and bring commercial ratables into town – before taxation drives residents out.
Jon Dunleavy
6:08 pm on Thursday, March 21, 2013
Response to mearle, I would love to have a rec center that we own but that is not financially possible at this time. The $12,000 we spend annually to rent the center is money will spent as the location offers many programs for our residents to enjoy. The ponds do need dregding but this project is also not financially feasible at this time. IT would cost in excess of $750,000 to dredge our ponds. It would also be nearly impossible to get DEP permission as these ponds feed the Pequannock River a C-1 waterway as well as our in the highlands planning area. Sloan Park on Main St will be restored and opened late summer this year. This project also includes flood mitigation that will STOP our Main St flooding. Any questions please let me know.
Kevin
3:45 pm on Thursday, March 21, 2013
Mearle, I could not agree more wholeheartedly with you. It looks like this council is looking for ways to spend our money not take care of the necessities. It would be nice if there was a little more thought put into spending.
Jon Dunleavy
6:00 pm on Thursday, March 21, 2013
As the article states, if the concept of a dog park was to proceed it would be with grant funding from Passaic County and not from our operating budget or ROSE fund. The spending referred to in the article is specifically pertaining to the Recreation and Open Space tax which is design for just such uses. The Council is NOT authorizing any of the expenditures mentioned in the article from the operating budget. The Council is striving to maintain taxes and bring commerical ratables to town. With Avalon Bay and many additional ratables soon to come, we will feel the positive results. In 2014 the Avalon Bay project will result in over $400,000 of new revenue that will be used directly to help with our tax rate. We do pay the highest taxes in the area but please understand the 54% of your tax bill is education and the Council has NO control over this rate. The council is responsible for 27% of your tax bill, so if you are paying $10000 annually, then $2700 is for municipal expenses. So $2700 provides you with police, fire, santiation twice a week, curb side recycling once a week, library, senior services, recreation and many more municipal services.In response to KEVIN, the Rose Committee is looking for way to spend the ROSE fund, which is the committees function and the purpose of the fund.Please let me know what necessities are not being taken care of so I can address this matters. I guarantee you an incredible amount of thought is put into spending.