Fairfield Voters Will Face Question On Open Space, Taxes In 2026 Election

FAIRFIELD, NJ — Voters in Fairfield will be asked if they want to raise property taxes to pay for open space preservation in the 2026 election.

In addition to other midterm and local races, Fairfield voters will be asked to cast a “yes” or “no” vote in a referendum.

Here’s how the public question will read on the ballot:

“Shall the Mayor and Council of the Township of Fairfield, within 90 days of the passing of this municipal question, adopt an ordinance increasing the funding of the Open Space Trust Fund which shall have the following provisions: A. The Open Space Trust Fund shall be increased through the collection of local property taxes in the amount of two (2) cents per hundred dollars of assessed value, and the funds shall be designated solely for the purchase and development of property or easements within the Township of Fairfield for active and passive recreation, for conservation purposes, and for maintenance and replacement of active and passive recreation. No other provision of the Open Space Trust Fund will be altered by this amendment.”

The referendum also comes with the following explanatory statement:

“The proposed increase in funding of the Open Space Trust Fund will be used to purchase property or easements within the Township of Fairfield for active and passive recreation, for conservation purposes, to develop the property for active and passive recreation, and for the maintenance and replacement of active and passive recreation. The additional annual tax levy for purposes of this fund would amount to $106.28 on the average property in the Township being assessed at $531,420.”

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