Approximately 50 people came to the Sept. 16 West New York Board of Commissioners meeting, and while most didn’t speak up, the two who did complained about their property taxes.
The complaints came on the heels of Mayor Sal Vega sending out a letter to residents with their latest tax bills. The letters stressed in bold type that there had been no tax hike between this quarter and last.
“Dear Taxpayer,” read the letter, “the latest property tax bill contains a zero tax increase for the next six months. Please remember that the tax bill before this one (received in April) had a 19 percent tax cut. So anyone who tells you that West New York taxes are ‘going up’ is completely wrong.”
Currently, the town property tax rate per $1000 of property value is $43.02.
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At the meeting, one resident told the commissioners that although he was happy that taxes had not increased between quarters, he hoped the township would do something to bring them down now.
“My expectation as a resident is not for it to stay flat,” said Mark Bloomberg, “and at some point, start seeing the amount of taxes to go back down, because the amount that it has gone up in the last couple years is more than most people in this town can bear.”
Resident Chris LoPinto also complained about taxes going up, saying that he had appealed his property assessment and brought down his taxes as a result.
West New York residents will get to see the town’s proposed 2009-2010 budget when it is introduced a Board of Commissioners meeting on Oct. 21. The town can finally bring it to the commissioners for a vote because it was officially approved by the state last week. Mayor Sal Vega has said in the past that the next budget will not include a tax increase, and that taxes will stay stable.
Currently, the municipal property tax rate per $1,000 of property value is $43.02. However, residents pay a tax amount that includes municipal, county, and state taxes. Those other two taxes are billed at a rate of $26.30 per $1,000 of assessed land. So the total tax rate is $69.32 per $1,000.
Residents appealing valuations
Some residents have appealed their property assessment, which is what their property is determined to be worth. In their arguments, they have said that because of declining property values, their land is worth less now than when it was assessed. Therefore, they believe, they should not pay as high taxes.
Lopinto said after the meeting that he was able to take approximately $2,000 off his property tax bill after his property was reassessed.
To appeal the assessed value of their property, residents must contact the Hudson County Board of Taxation and ask for the required forms and instructions. They can be reached by mail at 257 Cornelison Ave., 3rd Floor, Jersey City, N.J. 07302. The phone number is: (201) 395-6260.
The board asks property owners to file their appeal on or before April 1 of the current tax year, or 45 days from the date their property tax bill is mailed, whichever is later.
Another way taxpayers could save on taxes is through the Regional Efficiency Aid Program (REAP), which provides some tax relief to West New Yorkers if they are qualified. However, they would have had to apply to the office of the Tax Assessor by last Aug. 1.
The reason West New York receives some tax relief via the REAP program is that the township participated in a money-saving regionalization of its fire services with four other towns in 1999.
Grace period extended
The grace period for payment of tax bills has also been extended. Originally, the due date for payment for the third billing quarter was Aug. 1. However, because the third and fourth quarter bills weren’t mailed to residents until Sept. 1, the commissioners authorized the extension of a grace period for payments to be made without interest until Sept. 18. A second extension, authorized at the last commissioners meeting, now allows residents until Sept. 28 to pay their bill without interest.
Next month’s meeting is to be held Oct. 21, at 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 428 60th St. Residents should confirm the location, as occasionally it is moved to the West New York Middle School.
Melissa Rappaport may be reached at mrappaport@hudsonreporter.com