A reader submitted the following question to the TLS Ask The Mayor Column:
Dear Mr Mayor
Why is it that our taxes are going up so much.
My mom’s home was built by my parents over 60 yrs ago . My family started our current street that we live on. Why should we be responsible for the over populated areas or the big homes with multiple families and welfare that’s being used in these homes? I’m sorry they wanted these big homes and all the schools. Then they need to be responsible for them. I have nothing against any of them. I just think we shouldn’t be responsible for their big homes or schools or the over population. Again I have nothing against anyone I just think it’s only fair.
Thank You
Response from Mayor Coles:
Good morning,
I’m not sure where you’re getting your information , but I think it is flawed.
The overwhelming majority of property taxes in town are paid by the Orthodox Community. The very large houses you mention pay much higher taxes than the smaller homes that you & I live in. I am not sure where “welfare” comes into the picture. Many families of all backgrounds in town receive some type of assistance from the state or federal government, but that is income-based and does not affect our property tax rate. I doubt that many of the folks who own these homes would qualify for assistance. You and I are probably recipients of the Senior Stay program, which uses state funds to lower our property tax bill but does not take any funds from the township.
As for schools, they are private organizations. If the 50,000-plus children who utilize them were to suddenly switch to public schools, tax bills would explode for all of us. They do a wonderful job educating those children but do not receive tax dollars from the township or the Board of Education, other than the state-mandated programs such as busing, school nurses, therapists, and secular textbooks.
I’m not sure why you feel you’re being held responsible for them. We are all ultimately responsible for ourselves and our actions. As residents of Lakewood, we should look out for each other and help out where and when we can .
Take Care,
Ray
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