Nunda Township Loses Attempt To Preserve Open Space

By a narrow margin of 230 votes (out of more than 15,700 cast), voters in McHenry County's Nunda Township rejected an open space plan on November 2 and a separate tax increase (by a wider margin) that would have provided funds to purchase 700-1,000 acres of land for recreation and conservation over the next seven years.

Residents and planners in Nunda Township, which includes the rapidly developing Bull Valley area, had hoped to pass a referendum as many neighboring counties and townships have done.

Nancy Gonsiorek, chairman of the Open Space Committee, said committed citizens may try to pursue the issue again, probably not before April 2006, however, and not without additional public support.