HomeMy WebLinkAbout1977 02-03 Maplewood will decide two issues THE DISPATCH Maplewood
will decide
two issues
Maplewood voters will be
asked to approve or reject two
separate referendums Tuesday
— one for $995,000 for con-
structing a public works facili-
ty and the other for $870,000
for acquisition and develop-
ment of parks.
Polling places will be open
from 7 a.m.to 8 p.m.
THE PUBLIC WORKS facil-
ity will cost the owner of a
$30,000 home (assessor's mar-
ket
value)$6.53 a year in taxes.
THE PARKS referendum
will cost the owner of the same
home$5.71 a year.
The city council has said that
the proposed public works
building is needed because the
existing facility is not adequate
to economically serve the city.
THE COUNCIL says that
most of the city's equipment,
k` about $1 million worth, is
0X stored outside, exposing it to
repeated vandalism and ad-
verse weather conditions.
N\ These, the council points out,
are costing dollars and result in
poorer service.
The parks issue also has the
qsupport of the mayor and the
council, except for Councilman
John Greavu. The council says
that in recent years park acqui-
sition and development have
decreased because of budget
and levy limitations,while resi-
dent requests and usage have
increased.
The city's parks and recre-
ation commission, made up of
nine citizen members, also sup-
ports the parks referendum. A
total of $315,000 of the
$870,000 will go toward the ac-
quisition of land, and $536,000
will go for the development of
parks.
THE PARKS plan calls for
neighborhood parks within
walking distance of each resi-
dential home. The typical
neighborhood park, according
to plans, would have skating
rinks, playground equipment,
baseball or softball fields, ten-
nis courts, hiking and biking
paths, parking lot, trees and
landscaping.
Voters can approve or reject
each referendum separately.