Wyckoff committee sends open‑space trust expansion to November ballot

The Township Committee of Wyckoff on June 23 adopted Ordinance 20‑93, sending a proposal to expand the municipal open‑space trust fund as a public question to the Bergen County ballot for the Nov. 3, 2026, general election.

Nancy, the municipal clerk, read the adopting resolution into the record and instructed the clerk’s office to transmit the referendum question and interpretive statement to the Bergen County Clerk for placement on the ballot. "Be it resolved by the Township Committee of the Township of Wyckoff that ordinance number 20‑93 after public hearing and further consideration is hereby adopted," the clerk read. She also said the clerk, in consultation with the township attorney, may make non‑substantive revisions for ballot formatting so long as the substantive intent is not altered.

The ordinance amends the township code governing the municipal open‑space tax and directs that the referendum question be transmitted to county election officials. The committee voted by roll call with an affirmative vote recorded for Miss Bogdansky (township committee member), Mister Boontstra (township committee member), Mister Melchione (township committee member), Mister Sheppard (township committee member), and Mayor Lane. The clerk noted the ordinance would become effective Jan. 1, 2027, only if approved by voters.

Why it matters: If approved by voters, the change would expand the township’s municipal open‑space trust fund and authorize the local mechanism to support land‑conservation or open‑space purchases consistent with NJSA 40:12‑15.7. The committee’s action tonight completes the local legislative step required to place the question on the ballot; the final ballot wording and formatting are subject to the county clerk’s requirements.

Next steps: The municipal clerk will transmit the referendum materials to the Bergen County Clerk and report any county‑requested formatting changes to the township committee at its next regular meeting.