Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Comments Taxes Water topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Residents press council on tax increases and water letters during public comment
Summary
Multiple residents asked why reassessments raised property taxes without earlier notice and questioned letters about possible lead pipes; the mayor and staff said they would follow up and explained reassessments tie to nearby sale prices and DEP notification requirements.
Several residents used public comment to press the borough on recent tax increases and water quality notifications, saying they received unexpectedly large tax bills and mandatory letters about possible lead service lines.
Sam Rachani of 134 Fourth Street said he received no advance warning about higher taxes and described the unexpected payment: "I paid $202,100 dollars, and I just paid a payment of $3,035 and a few cents," he said, asking why there had been no prior notice. Council members and the mayor said the borough would supply detailed information and noted reassessments are based on comparable sales and the county assessment program.
Residents also raised confusion about mandatory letters from the water authority reporting possible lead or galvanized services. One resident noted their home was built circa 1990 yet received the notice. Borough officials said the DEP requires municipalities to send initial notices and that the engineer's project includes testing to determine actual service-line composition; homeowners identified in the phase‑1 list will receive direct notification if their lines are found to be lead or galvanized.
The mayor and staff offered to follow up with individualized information to residents who provided names and addresses during the public comment period.
