These Middlesex County residents will see ballot questions in November's election

Voters in three Middlesex County towns will face ballot questions in November's general election.

Sayreville is asking voters if the borough's Open Space Trust fund should be used to fund passive recreation projects on Blue Acres properties.

In South River, the Board of Education is asking voters to approve a $5.5 million bond ordinance for a new Denny Stadium with an artificial turf field and other improvements, which comes with an average tax rate of $127.56 per year or $10.63 per month.

In addition, South River voters will be asked if the retail sale of adult recreational use marijuana should be permitted in the borough.

Perth Amboy voters will be asked whether to switch from nonpartisan to partisan elections.

Sayreville

Residents will be asked if the Borough’s Open Space funds should be used for Blue Acres projects in addition to the purposes currently authorized.

The Borough Council approved a resolution at its July 17 meeting authorizing the non-binding referendum on the Nov. 7 ballot.

"The referendum would allow us to use portions of the Open Space Fund to make improvements to Blue Acres properties to make them useful for passive recreation," Councilman Dan Balka said in late July. "There will be zero impact on the tax rate if this is approved."

There is currently $8.8 million in the fund, Balka said.

The borough collects $450,000 every year from taxpayers for its Open Space Trust Fund, the questions says.

Sayreville was among the Central Jersey communities hardest hit by Superstorm Sandy when it barreled into the Garden State in 2012.

NJ's 2023 election FAQ: Voter registration, ballot deadlines, vote-by-mail and more

The state's Blue Acres Buyout Program, through the Department of Environmental Protection, purchased homes from volunteer sellers in the Weber Avenue area and the Old Bridge section of Sayreville at pre-Sandy market values in an effort to move residents out of harm’s way and create natural buffer areas to handle future stormwaters.

Properties purchased under the buyout program are owned by the state, but each municipality is responsible for maintaining those areas for preservation and passive recreation.

Plans for the Blue Acres properties include walking trails, flood control measures and removal of invasive plant species, Balka said, adding that once completed, the project will also provide a better habitat for the wildlife.

“The borough is always on the lookout for substantial tracts of vacant land that could be purchased by the borough and preserved, but those opportunities don't come along very often," Borough Business Administrator Glenn Skarzynski said.

Last year, the Legislature made a slight change to state law to enable municipalities to leverage these funds, with voter approval, toward Blue Acres projects, he said.

Many borough residents want to see something useful done with Blue Acres property, Skarzynski said.

"We have an opportunity here instead of doing a big recreation project piecemeal, we have the opportunity to do it in one fell swoop," he said.

South River

The Board of Education is asking voters to support a $5.5 bond ordinance for South River High School’s Denny Stadium, which includes a new stadium and synthetic turf field.

The district will bond for over 10 years for the project.

"Our community treasures the history and tradition represented by Denny Stadium. But the old structure is in significant disrepair," according to a referendum Q&A on the district's website. "Recent inspections indicate the stadium ‘is at the end of its lifespan.’ The stadium also can't safely accommodate people with disabilities, in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. A new stadium is needed and, for our student-athletes, is well deserved."

The stadium project calls for new bleachers, an updated press box, repairs and expansion of the existing concession stands and new, fully accessible restrooms. The stadium would accommodate 1,000 fans. All aspects of the new stadium would be ADA-compliant as per federal law, the district says.

A new synthetic turf field would meet the growing demands of multiple sports and teams throughout the community, according to the district. Synthetic turf fields provide improved safety, durability and playability and would also allow the district to be environmentally conscious by eliminating the need for fertilizers and irrigation that are required for grassy fields, while reducing ongoing maintenance costs, the district says.

The typical lifespan of a turf field ranges between 8 to 10 years. Afterward, refurbishment costs are considerably less than the initial installation, the district says.

A multi-purpose turf field can be used throughout multiple seasons and sports, benefitting programs offered around town.

Other benefits of the project are that smart, energy-efficient construction design and maintenance results in lower ongoing costs and the project will enhance community access to modern, safe athletic fields.

Borough voters also will be asked if they want new cannabis licenses for businesses involved in the retail sale of adult recreational use cannabis issued.

The Borough Council in April unanimously approved an ordinance that placed the non-binding referendum on the ballot.

"We're giving the opportunity to the residents of South River to make a choice," Councilman Peter Guindi said.

"It is basically to take a poll," Mayor John Krenzel said.

The borough can issue five licenses for all classes of cannabis operations, except retail. To date, four businesses have been approved to operate in the borough. Noble 1 LLC was approved to operate a Tier III Class cannabis cultivation facility on Martin Street. Cedar Fairmont Health Cultivator and Green Alchemy were approved for manufacture on Russell Avenue. Canna Caviar was approved to open a cannabis manufacturing facility on William Street.

Perth Amboy

Voters in the waterfront city will be asked whether they want to change city elections from nonpartisan to partisan.

The question on the ballot asks whether the city's charter, governed by the mayor-council form of government under the Faulkner Act, should be amended to change city elections from a regular municipal election held in November to general elections held in November, and changed from nonpartisan to partisan.

Perth Amboy is largely a Democratic community. For years Perth Amboy candidates for mayor and City Council have run under slogans or banners, rather than as members a political party. If the ballot question is approved, candidates for municipal office would appear on the ballot as a representative of a political party or as an independent. If the question is rejected, the current election process would remain unchanged.

"The ballot question to change Perth Amboy's elections from nonpartisan to partisan was initiated by a strong desire among residents for a more partisan electoral process," Lisett Lebron, Mayor Helmin Caba's chief of staff, said in a statement. " The administration and council recognize the importance of allowing residents to have the final say on this matter, and this ballot question ensures that the decision ultimately rests with the voters of Perth Amboy. It's a testament to the democratic process that residents will have the opportunity to shape the future of their local elections through their votes."

Contributing: Staff Writer Suzanne Russell

Email: sloyer@gannettnj.com

Susan Loyer covers Middlesex County and more for MyCentralJersey.com. To get unlimited access to her work, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.

This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: Middlesex County NJ election questions