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Woolwich adopts long-term PILOT for Oak Grove Road development after resident raises transparency concerns
Summary
The Woolwich Township Committee adopted Ordinance 2024-22, approving a long-term tax exemption (PILOT) with 2024 Oak Grove Road Woolwich, LLC; a resident asked why the financial agreement was not posted online and the committee said the full document is available via the municipal clerk.
Mayor Matthias and the Woolwich Township Committee voted 4-0 on Dec. 2 to adopt Ordinance 2024-22, approving a long-term tax exemption and financial agreement with 2024 Oak Grove Road Woolwich, LLC under N.J.S.A. 40A:20-1 et seq. Mayor Matthias summarized the agreement in the meeting as generating approximately $13,072,221.17 in additional tax revenue (as read aloud at the meeting).
The adoption followed a brief public comment period in which a resident of 10 Wilshire Blvd. asked why the full financial agreement was not posted on the Township’s website. Mayor Matthias and members of the committee responded that the website carries an abridged agenda and directed the resident to contact the municipal clerk to request the full agreement; no one disputed that direction during the meeting.
The ordinance passed on a motion by Committeeman McGovern, seconded by Deputy Mayor Nocentino. Roll-call votes were recorded as Committeeman Frederick: yes; Committeeman McGovern: yes; Deputy Mayor Nocentino: yes; Mayor Matthias: yes.
At the meeting, a member of the public also raised concerns about how PILOT revenues are being used; committee members said PILOT monies have been used to pay down the township’s sewer debt and that the Township has a financial adviser to assist with fiscal management. Committeeman Frederick asked for additional details about certain township reports elsewhere on the agenda (see consent item R-2024-310), and Mayor Matthias advised contacting the Tax Collector for the requested report.
What happens next: Ordinance 2024-22 was adopted at the Dec. 2 meeting and is effective according to the Township’s ordinance-adoption procedures. The committee did not vote to post or release the full financial agreement immediately at the meeting; members directed members of the public to the municipal clerk for access and indicated staff would assist with further inquiries.
Ending note: The committee handled the PILOT adoption as part of its regular agenda and completed the meeting within the scheduled time.
