Veteran urges council to revisit borough ordinance on 100% disability tax refunds; council cites budgetary and legal constraints

Brett Pugliese, introduced himself at the public‑comment period as a 30‑year resident and chair of the veterans advisory committee, and urged the borough to revisit its local ordinance that limits retroactive property‑tax exemptions for veterans with 100% service‑connected disability determinations.

"In October 2025, I was declared a 100% disabled by the New Jersey state veterans," Pugliese said, describing a five‑month delay between his determination and notice and arguing the borough's ordinance should allow a longer retroactive refund to match practices in other New Jersey towns. He cited recent draft legislation (Assembly A941 and a senate counterpart referenced later as 313) that would require the state to reimburse municipalities for such refunds if enacted.

Council members questioned how far back refunds could be applied under local ordinance language and the practical budgetary effect. One council member recommended waiting to revise the borough ordinance until the state bill's status is clearer: "I would wait to look at the ordinance. I would wait to see if that bill and when it passes, then we might reconsider," said a council member, noting the borough did not budget for retroactive reimbursements this year and that any refunds would come entirely from the municipal budget absent state reimbursement. Council directed staff and special counsel to research the statute and consider a closed‑door discussion on the individual case before taking action on a broader ordinance change.