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Resident urges council to address developer abatements and school funding cuts, calls Health & Technology Center payout unnecessary
Summary
Resident Vincent Lepore told the Long Branch City Council on March 25 that developer tax abatements and a governor-proposed education cut (about $1,275,000) are shifting costs to taxpayers and criticized an approximately $8,149,000 payout for a Health and Technology Center as unnecessary; he also raised concerns about Brookdale College real estate activity and the health department director's absences.
Vincent Lepore of 33 Ocean Terrace used the public-comment period at the Long Branch City Council meeting on March 25 to press elected officials on several fiscal and accountability concerns. Lepore said the governor's budget includes a cut that will reduce the city's Board of Education funding by about $1,275,000 and argued that long-term tax abatements for developments — citing a 30-year abatement for the Palone Pier Village project — shift obligations onto local taxpayers.
Lepore also criticized what he described as a roughly $8,149,000 payout connected to the Health and Technology Center, calling the project unnecessary and asserting it benefits what he characterized as a "pay to play" arrangement. He urged council members to hold developers accountable and questioned whether Brookdale College or other parties were engaged in real estate offers related to local redevelopment, citing the college's recent executive session on real estate matters.
The resident further said the health department director's absences were troubling and warned the council it is being observed for accountability.
Council President and the clerk noted public-comment procedures (speakers may have five minutes and may speak once). Later, a council member corrected one factual point raised by a commenter: "Title 39" refers to state motor vehicle statutes enforced by police, not the Department of Health.
These remarks were delivered during the meeting's public-comment period and did not prompt immediate formal action by the council. The council's record shows the public-comment portion closed after the remarks; officials encouraged follow-up through the city clerk's office and noted regular council hours for additional discussion.
