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Borough of Hawthorne presents 2026 budget with about $539,000 levy increase, water rates to rise
Summary
The Borough of Hawthorne administration presented a 2026 budget that the presenter said would add roughly $539,000 to the tax levy, pointing to a 40% rise in state health benefits, higher sewer charges and state-mandated PFAS water-treatment costs; the presenter asked the council to introduce the budget tonight and adopt it on May 6.
The Borough of Hawthorne administration presented its proposed 2026 budget during a public meeting, saying the plan would raise the overall tax levy by about $539,000 and include modest increases to the municipal tax rate and utility charges.
The presenter said the budget would require a tax increase of 2.9% (down from 4.5% in 2025) and also stated later in the presentation that the municipal tax rate would rise by about 2.69, equal to roughly $0.02 per $100 of assessed value. The presenter tied the levy increase primarily to a 40% increase in the state health benefits program, a 5.83% increase in Passaic Valley Sewer charges, and recurring costs tied to water-system upgrades. "The total increase to the tax levy is just under $539,000," the presenter said.
The presenter laid out household impacts, saying the average…
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