PLUMSTED – Mayor Robert Bowen noted recent legislation that would provide a property tax break for seniors, thanking 12th District Assemblyman Alex Sauickie for introducing it.
During the most recent Township Committee meeting, the mayor cited “a section in the bill, section 2, property tax due and payable by the owner of a homestead based on assessment by a municipality …on land and improvements… so yes, folks of Lennar will be included.”
Bowen thanked Sauickie and the Assembly Speaker for including the addition for “providing the senior discount parity to our residents.”
Residents of that development have come before the governing body to discuss not being eligible for certain senior discount programs offered by the state due to the agreement made between Lennar and the township.
“There were benefits that were offered to taxpayers that were not given to the people of Lennar PILOT program and now we are going to have a fair slate,” Committeeman Dominick Cuozzo added.
Cuozzo noted that meetings with the Lennar development would continue, one was held on July 10.
During the July Committee meeting, Dominic Griffo, a resident of the Lennar development in the township, said he was “cautiously optimistic to what he had heard concerning the New Jersey Stay legislation.
He noted that legislation involved granting some tax property relief to residents of his community who had been negatively impacted the PILOT plan that removed eligibility to seniors for certain state discount programs such as the Senior Freeze and ANCHOR along with certain veteran programs.
Griffo has been appearing before the Committee for months along with other residents calling for the governing body to get involved in restoring those benefits. He noted that the township engineer who spoke during the meeting, commented about not knowing where the responsibility lies for the infrastructure of the Lennar community.
“What elements do they rely on the Home Owners Association versus this township? This is all stuff that should have been ironed out when the builder and the township came together to create this plan this PILOT program,” Griffo said.
He noted that a couple who lived in Plumsted prior to moving to Lennar, had enjoyed the benefits of the Senior Freeze and ANCHOR programs and the township had covered the infrastructure elements involved within the sections of the township where they lived. “She moves along with other veterans I mentioned, to the Lennar community and the responsibility shifts.”
Griffo said, “the payment in lieu tax rate that is assessed on the Lennar community is equal to the current tax rate that is assessed on everyone in Plumsted Township gets so what you have successfully done is created two buckets. You have the bucket on the left that is the traditional tax program and from that bucket residents are benefitting from infrastructure improvements and whatever the township needs.”
He added, “then you have the bucket on right is the PILOT bucket and there is a ton of dollars flowing into this bucket. Now we are having to fund roads in our community, sewer lines, common area sidewalks under a normal traditional tax program wouldn’t come into play.”
“You are taxing us at the same rate the same as everyone else is town. We are paying a higher rate and getting considerably less,” Griffo added.
Former Official Honored
A former township official who also served as a staff member was recognized at the start of the recent Committee meeting.
David Leutwyler’s record was noted in a proclamation of thanks by Mayor Bowen. “For the past 30 years he has been an active member of our community as a baseball coach, basketball coach, assistant soccer coach, vice president of baseball, scoutmaster, Santa Claus, member of the municipal alliance and an active church member.”
“He became a member of the township committee in 2002 and served there for several years and served as mayor from 2009 to 2011. He became an employee of the township in 2014. He served as maintenance supervisor, code enforcer, deputy zoning officer, recycling coordinator, community development coordinator…now he has been promoted to Mr. Leutwyler,” the mayor added, regarding Leutwyler’s retirement.
Mayor Bowen said, “you are already volunteering for us but we thank you for your service as a full-time employee and your 16 years of dedicated service to Plumsted Township.”
Remembering Dr. Woehr
Deputy Mayor Herb Marinari noted the accomplishments of former Plumsted Superintendent Dr. Gerald “Jerry” Woehr who died recently at the age of 72 and who had served as head of the school district for many years.
Marinari credited him for his leadership, ability to communicate with staff, students, township leaders, parents and others in the community and for advancing the school district as one of the best in the state.
“He was one of the finest, most well-educated men you could ever know. A wonderful person,” Marinari said.
Committeeman Michael Hammerstone added, “I had the privilege of going to school with Dr. Woehr when he was a principal. He will be missed by everybody. It was sad to hear of his passing. It was a shock.”
Mayor Bowen also thanked Assemblyman Sauickie for his work in securing funding for road repair and infrastructure “for critical projects that will enhance our community.”
The next Township Committee meeting is at 7 p.m. on August 3 at the Town Hall on Evergreen Road.
