Ballot question
Borough of New Milford Public Question 1: open space trust fund (non-binding)
- On the ballot in
- New Milford Borough
- Vote
- Yes or no
- Election
- Nov 3, 2026
The question, as printed on the ballot
Shall the Borough of New Milford continue the “New Milford Open Space, Recreation, Farmland and Historic Preservation Trust Fund” pursuant to Chapter 24 of the Public Law of 1997, funded through property tax assessments to be determined annually by the governing body of the Borough of New Milford, but at a rate not to exceed one cent per $100 of total municipal equalized real property valuation to provide monies for the following purposes to be determined by the governing body of the municipality only after at least one public hearing thereon: a. Acquisition of lands for recreation and conservation purposes; b. Development of lands acquired for recreation and conservation purposes; c. Maintenance of lands acquired for recreation and conservation purposes; d. Acquisition of farmland for farmland preservation purposes; e. Historic preservation of historic properties, structures, facilities, sites, areas, or objects, and the acquisition of such properties, structures, facilities, sites, areas, or objects for historic preservation purposes; f. Payment of debt service on indebtedness issued or incurred by a municipality for any of the purposes set forth in subparagraphs (a), (b), (c), (d), (e) or (g); g. Blue Acres projects.
A “Yes” vote means
Tells borough officials voters favor continuing the open space trust fund, funded by a levy of up to 1 cent per $100 of equalized valuation. Non-binding.
A “No” vote means
Tells borough officials voters do not favor continuing the open space trust fund levy. Non-binding.
Official plain English statement
Approval of this non-binding measure will give the elected officials of the Borough of New Milford the sentiment of the voters concerning the continuation of a Trust Fund in which the Borough of New Milford will retain these funds to acquire land, improve recreation facilities, and preserve historic areas throughout the Borough, and to assist the municipality to acquire and improve outdoor recreational facilities. If approved, the Borough of New Milford may annually raise up to one cent per $100 of total Borough equalized property valuation each year to fund this Trust. At the maximum rate, property owners will be contributing $10 to the Trust Fund per $100,000 of assessed value. Funds generated through such means, and the interest or other income earned on monies deposited into the Trust Fund, shall be used only for the purposes of the Trust Fund.
Sources
The question and plain English statement are copied word for word from official election materials. The Gist does not take a side on ballot questions.