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Fairfield council approves referendum to expand open-space trust fund to pay for park and field upgrades
Summary
The Fairfield mayor and council approved a measure asking the county clerk to place a nonbinding referendum on the ballot to expand the township's dedicated open-space trust fund so it can be used for maintenance, replacement and upgrades to active and passive recreation facilities, including turf fields and lighting.
At its June 22 meeting the Fairfield mayor and council approved a resolution asking the Essex County clerk to place a nonbinding referendum on the ballot to amend the township's dedicated open-space trust fund so the money may be used for maintenance and replacement of active and passive recreation facilities.
Council members discussed a multi-part plan for athletic fields and park upgrades and said financing would rely on the trust fund if voters approve the change. Officials described specific cost estimates discussed at the meeting: replacing the turf surface on an existing football field at about $450,000; constructing two new soccer fields, a girls' softball field with lighting and parking improvements estimated near $5 million; and a broader program figure discussed near $8 million for multiple components and site work.
Officials at the meeting said the proposed funding approach would be to dedicate the trust fund and, if necessary, put a tax question before voters. During discussion council members and staff estimated a two-cent tax increase would cost the owner of the example house cited in the exchange roughly $8.86 per month; speakers described that as a modest annual cost to fund ongoing maintenance rather than bonding for replacement later. Council members also said existing small grants would be applied where eligible; the record includes some inconsistent numbers on available grant amounts that the council said staff would verify.
Council members emphasized the proposal is intended to create a stable, dedicated revenue stream for long-term maintenance and replacement of recreation infrastructure so the township would not have to repeatedly return to taxpayers for bonds. The council voted to approve the consent agenda that included the referendum request; the item was passed as amended by roll-call vote.
Next steps: council members said the referendum language and supporting renderings and cost estimates will be finalized for public review before the question appears on a ballot, and public information would be made available ahead of any vote.
