Community Corner
Should Berkeley Heights Secede from Union County?
Township's mayor says Berkeley Heights isn't getting the services it pays for.
As county taxes continue to rise, Berkeley Heights just isn't getting what it pays for, and now the township's mayor is calling for secession from the Union. Union County that is.
Township Mayor Joe Bruno has argued that the county has mismanaged its budget, resulting in higher taxes for residents, and has failed to provide adequate services. Because of those reasons, Bruno believes Berkeley Heights should secede from the county, according to a report from NJ.com
According to NJ.com, Bruno pins much of his criticism on the failure of the county to privatize Runnells Specialized Hospital by selling it and effectively eliminating 400 employees from the county's books.
Find out what's happening in New Providence-Berkeley Heightswith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Bruno also claims that Berkeley Heights was hit with $1.2 million in tax increases, joining New Providence's $1 million hike and Summit's $2.6 million increase.
Much of the county's workload has been aimed at providing assistance to poor Union County communities, and while Bruno said he understands the need, it's left the western portion of the county without the services it requires.
Find out what's happening in New Providence-Berkeley Heightswith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Of course, secession is likely impossible, but it it were, would you support it?
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