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Community Corner

2014 PROPERTY REVALUATION TAX HIKE

GET YOUR 2014 PROPERTY REVALUATION LETTER? Did your revaluation increase your 2014 taxes? Do you think this is fair? Have you been living in your home for several years and paying the already high taxes? Live in an old house on a small plot? Retired, living on pension or Social Security? Have disabled or elderly dependents to support? Have no children in public school? ARE YOU BEING TAXED OUT OF YOUR HOME? WE ARE.

We've payed our taxes here for over 60 years, a total amount that would buy our 1920's home at the new  2014 revaluation. Since 2009 our rebates have decreased by 20%, i.e. we have already paid higher taxes for the last 4 years. Our 2014 taxes will increase 15% over the 2013 amount. We're getting the shaft, and so are you. Remember the 2012 tax hike referendum?

In 2012 the Township tried to railroad a tax hike and lost the referendum vote. It is astounding that  that some folks voted FOR the tax hike (vested interests in municipal planning?). It is disgusting that the township tried extortion by threatening to cut back our police force and charge extra for some municipal services. The  township's pension schemes and large number of pensioners still living partly off the current tax base needs revision. Expenditures from the tax pork barrel need close inspection. The reasoning that creating jobs is good for the community is outweighed by the heavy tax burden placed on taxpayers.

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Why did the township abruptly cancel the $60 bulk trash pickup fee in 2012? Simple: it was already decided that they would collect (in our case and probably yours too) an extra 15% or more  one fell swoop.  IT'S TIME TO TAKE THE TOWNSHIP TO TASK, AND THE COURTROOM IS THE PLACE FOR THAT. Writing and whining to the Governor will get you nowhere. There must be some good lawyers out there who resent this enough and have the guts to spearhead a movement - you'll get enough clients to cover your costs...
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