Municipalities, schools to share foreclosure burden

WANTAGE — The Sussex County Municipalities League on Wednesday, Dec. 11, passed a resolution placing the burden of foreclosures to be spread among municipalities, school districts and the county.

According to Mayor Ronald Bassani, in the past municipalities have been fully responsible for the tax burden resulting from foreclosures.

The SCLM will write a resolution and present the example resolution at its next meeting, scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 2, 2014 at its next meeting. Each municipality will need to pass a resolution of support

At that point, the change would need to be taken up by the state through Assemblywoman Allison Littell-McHose, Assemblyman Parker Space, and state Sen. Steven V. Oroho.

Obamacare confuses municipalities

Bassani also reported that SCLM discussed Obamacare, which he said is very confusing to municipalities at this time.

Bassani already met with the township's insurance agent, and it seems the legislation will have no effect on the township.

Stefanelli suggests lowering fees

The Mayor and Committee also agreed to the lowering of construction fees throughout the township.

Patrick Stefanelli, Wantage construction official, recommended through Administrator Jim Doherty that the committee change the sliding scale of fees for Building Permits. Stefanelli recommended the fees be reduced.

During the building boom, the sliding fees were needed when it was difficult for a quick turnaround of building permits. When a request was made very close to the day of a permit, residents were charged more.

Stefanelli said the Building/Construction Department is able to meet requests in a timely manner, and there is no longer a need to charge more for short notice requests. Therefore, the township could reduce the building permit fees.