Morris Co. Voters Will Decide If Trust Fund Will Support Land Preservation

MORRIS COUNTY, NJ — This November, Morris County residents will have a say in the use of the county’s Trust Fund, specifically whether or not it will be used to support permanently preserved land and properties.

According to county officials, Morris County voters will be faced with a referendum on their election ballots that will have them decide whether or not money from the Open Space, Farmland, Floodplain Protection, and Historic Preservation Trust Fund will go towards stewardship of already permanently preserved properties.

If voters approve, the funds will support habitat restoration, invasive species reduction, reforestation, and green infrastructure improvements on publicly preserved lands.

The funds will not go towards regular maintenance, legal fees, land acquisition, recreational infrastructure such as playgrounds or sports fields, or any work on unpreserved land, according to officials.

The referendum comes from a recommendation from the Preservation Trust Fund Review Committee, which approved the referendum in April. The referendum was adopted by the Morristown Council in June, with the final ballot language being submitted to the Morris County Clerk last month.

“This is a natural next step in our preservation efforts. For more than 30 years, our residents have overwhelmingly supported preservation in Morris County,” said Morris County Commissioner Deputy Director Stephen Shaw. “Adding this program builds upon a long list of successful, voter-approved initiatives, including open space, historic preservation, farmland preservation and trail development. The committee’s recommendation reflects months of evaluation regarding the merits of such a program. Stewardship allows us to care for the lands we’ve protected, ensuring they remain healthy and accessible for future generations.”

The referendum will read on voter ballots as follows:

“Shall the County of Morris amend the Morris County Open Space, Farmland, Floodplain Protection, and Historic Preservation Trust Fund to include the purpose of stewardship of permanently preserved land acquired for recreation and conservation purposes that are designed to restore or enhance its utilization for those purposes and allow the use of previously collected funds for those purposes?”

Officials added that the approval of the referendum would not increase taxes in Morris County.

Click here to learn more about the Preservation Trust Fund.

Election Day is Nov. 4.