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RESOLUTION APPROVING 2026 OPEN SPACE, FARMLAND AND HISTORIC PRESERVATION TRUST FUND GRANT PROGRAM AWARDS OVER $100,000.00, PURSUANT TO N.J.S.A. 40:12-15.2.
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WHEREAS, the County of Passaic (hereafter “County”) is a body politic and corporate pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:18-1 and vested with all rights contained therein; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:20-1 the Board of County Commissioners of the County of Passaic (hereafter “Board”) is vested with managing the property, finances, and affairs of the County; and
WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners of the County of Passaic (hereafter “Board”) created an Open Space, Farmland and Historic Preservation Trust Fund Program (hereafter “Program”) in conformity with the will of the voters in the 1996 election, as authorized by N.J.S.A. 40:12-15.2; and
WHEREAS, the purpose and goals of the above is to achieve, in partnership with others, a system of interconnected open spaces, whose protection will preserve and enhance New Jersey’s natural environment and its historic, scenic, and recreational resources for public use and enjoyment; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to the mandates of the Program, the said Board did approve and appoint an Open Space, Farmland and Historic Preservation Trust Fund Advisory Committee (hereafter “the Committee”) to study the open space issue and make recommendations concerning the distribution of funds to worthy applicants; and
WHEREAS, the Committee reviewed applications for the 2026 Open Space Trust Fund Grant Program funding awards over one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000.00), and a public hearing and public comment period was held on said applications, during which no comments were received from the public; and
WHEREAS, following said public hearing and public comment period, the Committee recommends approval of the below-listed 2026 Open Space Trust Fund Grant Program awards over one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000.00), in the total amount of two million nine hundred eighteen thousand nine hundred ninety dollars ($2,918,990.00), consisting of the following Park Development and Historic Preservation awards:
WHEREAS, the Board requires that all municipalities receiving these funds must agree to place in their tax letter an insert that indicates they received funds from the Program sponsored by the Board; and
WHEREAS, the matter was discussed at the August 27, 2026, meeting of the Planning and Economic Development Committee, where the recommended grant awards were presented in accordance with the Committee’s recommendations from their May 5, 2026, meeting and is being recommended to the Board for approval; and
WHEREAS, funds are available in Account No. O-26-56-670-005-603 or any other account that may be deemed appropriate by the Chief Financial Officer or his designee, and the availability of funds has been contingently certified by the Chief Financial Officer subject to sufficient funds being appropriated by the Board in the 2026 and/or subsequent years’ County budget(s), which is attached to and made part of this Resolution; and
NOW, THEREFORE, LET IT BE RESOLVED, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:12-15.2, the Board of County Commissioners of the County of Passaic hereby authorizes the award of grants from the Open Space, Farmland and Historic Preservation Trust Fund in an amount totaling two million nine hundred eighteen thousand nine hundred ninety dollars ($2,918,990.00) as stated above; and
LET IT BE FURTHER RESOLVED, that all municipalities receiving funds must agree to place in their tax letter an insert that indicates that they received funds from the Passaic County Open Space, Farmland and Historic Preservation Trust Fund Program sponsored by the Board of County Commissioners of the County of Passaic; and
LET IT BE FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Clerk to the Board, County Counsel, and the Director of the Board are authorized to take any other steps necessary to carry out the purpose of this Resolution.
ZMQ September 8, 2026