Please help preserve the natural beauty of Kinnelon Borough.
To all concerned Kinnelon residents:
We are at a crossroad in our effort to Save the Weber Tract, a 169 pristine parcel of land which abuts our Silas Condict Park. The Kinnelon Council will meet at the borough hall, Kinnelon Road, on April 17, 2008 at 8:00 P.M. With the approval of Mayor Sisco and the Kinnelon Council, the borough will apply for a grant to the Morris County Preservation Trust Fund in July for Weber Tract preservation.
RECENT OPPOSITION to preserving the Weber Tract makes this a crucial time for preserving the tract as open space. Current local newspaper articles regarding funding grants have provided publicity for the preservation effort.
THE TIME IS NOW for preservation. Please come forward at the Council meeting and speak in favor of saving the Weber Tract. Partial Green Acres and Kinnelon Open Space funds are in place to help move this process forward. However, more grant funding is needed.
WE NEED PUBLIC SUPPORT!!
Your attendance at the Council meeting is critical to save our last significant parcel of open space in Kinnelon and protect the natural character of our town.
Thank you.
THE CITIZEN’S COMMITTEE TO SAVE THE WEBER TRACT
Savethewebertract.org
THE TIME IS NOW
Reasons to save the Weber Tract
WATER:
Kinnelon “Where the water begins” - Open Space and Recreation Plan - 2005
Headwaters for
Aquifer – Primary groundwater source which underlies the
Private wells depend on groundwater and aquifer.
Preserve recharge area believed to be on Weber Tract.
PRESERVE THE CHARACTER OF OUR COMMUNITY:
Rural atmosphere, trees and woods
1995 Master Plan Survey Results:
97% moved here for rural atmosphere.
94% favor single family development.
81% said commercial development should be the same or less.
75% favor purchase land for open space.
2004 Open Space and Recreation Plan Survey Results which were voted by our Council to be part of the Kinnelon Master Plan on March 3, 2005:
89% favor protection of scenic vistas.
87% favor preserving land for groundwater protection.
85% favor conserving water.
80% of Kinnelon residents moved here for rural atmosphere.
76% favor protecting historic sites.
74% favor passive recreation (hiking, walking, bird watching).
73% favor purchasing land to shape growth and/or maintain town’s character.
73% favor establishing a trail system for hiking and bicycling.
CONTIGUOUS TO
Would provide an extension to
Provides passive recreation – Walking, hiking, bird watching which are very important to
residents - Open Space Survey – 2004.
Trail connections to Craigmere to the North and
PRESERVE OUR QUALITY OF LIFE IN KINNELON:
Save wells and our great drinking water.
Prevent air, noise and light pollution.
Provide mini – greenway on
Traffic and traffic lights – too many now.
ENVIRONMENTALLY
Steep slopes.
Ridge lines and scenic vistas.
Wetlands and vernal pools.
Weber Tract contains tributaries to
Development of tract would degrade integrity of
The Weber Tract is a large portion of the Pequannock River Greenway.
Weber Tract is in the Highlands Preservation Area.
WILDLIFE HABITAT:
Weber Tract is home to bears, deer, red fox, coyote, wood frogs, bull frogs, spring peepers salamanders, ducks (mallards) turkeys, red tailed hawks, barred owl , vireo, blue heron, pileated woodpeckers and many other species.
In the ranking of forested areas by the NJDEP for endangered and threatened species habitat, all of the lands on the Weber Tract are “Rank 5”. This is the highest rank and means these lands contain one or more species on the Federal list of threatened or endangered species.
PRESERVATION OF PRISTINE LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES:
Residents in favor of preservation do not stand to gain financially.
Financial gain would go to developers.
PRESERVATION OF THE WEBER TRACT CAN BE ACCOMPLISHED:
Through open space grants and funds. Kinnelon has local open space trust fund which residents voted to establish in 2002 at ½ cents per $100 of assessed property value. This was increased to 1 ½ cents per $100 of assessed property value in 2005. NJ residents voted in 2007 to keep state open space program, Green Acres, through 2008. Kinnelon pays into the Morris County Open Space Fund. Private donations to Morris Land Conservancy.
You can help to Save the Weber Tract
Write and call the following officials to inform them of your support of the preservation of the Weber Tract.
Names and address of officials for letters, e-mails and phone calls:
Borough Officials:
Phone: 973-838-5401
Mayor Glenn L. Sisco
Robert Collins – Council President
Steven Cobell
Daniel Colucci
James Freda
Eric Nederfield
Evan Swalling
Phone: 973-326-7600
Russell Felter
rfelter@morrisparks.net
Phone: 973-285-6010
Margaret Nordstrom
Gene F. Feyl
Douglas R. Cabana
William Chegwidden
John J. Murphy
James W. Murray
Jack Schrier
To contact Freeholders by e-mail:
go thru the Public Information Office:
jgarif@co.morris.nj.us.
