Vineland council continues Cavallo Drive sewer assessment hearing after residents protest notice and costs

Vineland City Council on Jan. 28 continued a public hearing on a special assessment for a sewer extension on Cavallo Drive after multiple residents said they did not receive required certified notice and raised questions about the project cost and how assessment obligations attach to property.

The hearing was continued to an undetermined future date so the city tax assessor, Brian Conover, can attend and present testimony about the assessment amounts and property benefits. Council opened the hearing to public comment before voting to continue it.

The matter dates to a March 2016 petition from Cavallo Drive residents requesting public sewer. The city engaged the Land and Sewage Authority (LSA) to estimate construction costs; the estimate presented to property owners in June 2021 listed an initial per‑lot estimate of $17,591. According to city staff, the final construction cost was $162,755.41. With 10 property owners identified as benefiting, the city wrote that the per‑lot share is $16,275.54. Property owners may pay the assessment in full or through a 10‑year schedule of equal quarterly installments, with interest at 6% per year on unpaid balances; any unpaid assessment becomes due immediately if outstanding for 30 days.

City counsel told residents that because the attorney who handled the earlier process failed to send certified notices as required by the applicable statute, the city restarted parts of the process and will re‑notice property owners. The city also said that properties that do not connect to city sewer will not be charged now; however, if a current or future owner later chooses to hook up, the assessment will attach to the property at that time.

Residents said they were surprised to receive certified mail bills after construction was complete. Jeffrey Maddalina, who said he lives at 2495 Cavallo Drive, told council his septic failed soon after he bought the house and that he hooked into the new sewer. Maddalina said he was concerned about being “put on the hook for $16,000” despite the septic problems and offered to meet with officials to present permits and records he said show the pool installation damaged the septic field.

Other speakers said they expected a revote after the notice problem. One resident, who identified himself as Rich Farside of 2490 Cavallo Drive, said he had documentation of eight votes against the project and asked why the process had returned to the council. Brian Danner, who said he lives at 2485 Cavallo Drive, read a written protest statement on behalf of several neighbors alleging misrepresentation and improper procedures and saying they intend to seek legal review, including contacting the county prosecutor.

Victor Nitschei of 2500 Cavallo Drive asked whether an unpaid assessment would constitute a lien. City counsel said the charge is an assessment that can be collected as part of property taxes if the property owner later connects to city sewer; the city described it as an assessment that attaches upon hookup rather than an immediate lien on all properties that declined service.

Council formally moved to continue the public hearing to a date to be determined so the tax assessor can testify and so re‑notice can be sent. The motion passed by roll call: all members present voted yes.

The council reiterated that residents will be notified of the continued hearing by certified mail when a date is set. The public record for the project will remain open so residents who spoke may return to testify further when the hearing resumes.