A referendum on the Charlestown ballot proposes that the township increase its earned income tax by 0.5 percent, starting in January, and use the money to restrict development of farmland and environmentally sensitive areas by buying open space or development rights.

In Malvern, voters have a chance to change the shape of borough government by adopting a new charter.

Charlestown residents already pay a 0.5 percent earned income tax that was instituted in 2003 and is used to pay off $9 million that the township borrowed to preserve land.

Because the new referendum specifically dedicates the tax money to open-space funding, the money can't be diverted to other uses in the future.

Aside from preserving the township's rural landscape, Charlestown officials say in their newsletter, preserving more open space will reduce development and the expensive need for more schools, reduce traffic, and increase property values.

Malvern residents, meanwhile, will decide whether the local government should switch from Borough Code to Home Rule Charter. A Home Rule municipality does not follow the state Borough Code, only state municipality laws.   

The move protects the borough if Great Valley School District should decide to take up to half of Malvern's revenue from its 1 percent earned income tax, as is permitted by state law. That could leave Malvern with no option under the current code except to raise property taxes to make up for the loss.

The proposed Home Rule charter would allow for minor tax increases instead of a property tax hike, former Borough council president Henry Briggs said.

Home Rule would also permit advisory referendums signed by 10 percent of voters to pass on to the board. It spells out eight-year term limits for the borough council and mayor, so members can be held accountable, Briggs said. The Borough Code does not provide term limits.

The change also would eliminate positions like tax collector deemed costly or inefficient, Briggs said.