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Tenafly council debates $1.075M open‑space appropriation for property acquisition; some urge caution
Summary
Ordinance 26-10 would appropriate $1,075,000 for real property acquisition from the open‑space fund (along with other park and pool appropriations). Some council members urged removing the property‑acquisition line and separately vetting use of open‑space funds; staff said property purchase is allowable if kept as open space/parking and a separate ordinance is required to close a purchase.
Council considered Ordinance 26-10, an appropriation ordinance that would reserve $1,075,000 from the open‑space fund for real property acquisition and additional sums for pool improvements, the nature center and other park projects. Several council members said budgeting seven figures for a downtown parking lot or other impervious acquisition merited separate review and public discussion.
One council member asked explicitly whether using open‑space funds for a parking lot was appropriate. Staff reviewed auditor and consultant guidance and said purchasing a parking lot with open‑space funds is allowable provided the property remains open space; any change of use or added structures could require repayment or other restrictions. "Before the borough council can purchase property, there needs to be a specific ordinance authorizing the purchase of property," staff said, noting appropriation and acquisition are distinct steps.
Council debated amending the ordinance to remove the property acquisition appropriation and consider alternative funding or separate vetting. A motion to amend the ordinance to remove the property acquisition item was made and seconded for further consideration; the matter will return at the public hearing so that more detailed funding and use discussions can occur. The open‑space fund balance and projected replenishment were provided in the meeting packet: staff reported a current balance of approximately $2.14 million before proposed appropriations and forecasted replenishment by the 1% tax revenue in 2026.
Next steps: The ordinance was introduced and scheduled for hearing on March 24, 2026; councilors asked staff to provide written clarification about permissible open‑space expenditures and to present alternatives or tradeoffs for property acquisition before any final vote.
