Township Council Approves Major Tax Reduction for Third Berkeley Heights Business

In the wake of tax reductions for the Connell Development Group and Alcatel-Lucent Technologies, at its June 28, 2011 meeting, the Berkeley Heights Township Council approved a property tax cut for the Union Center National Bank, located at 512 Springfield Avenue, retroactive to 2009 through 2011. The valuation of the property will be reduced by a total of $761,000.

Since 2009, Connell Development Group received a 30 percent reduction, and Alcatel-Lucent Technologies received a 42 percent reduction in property valuation.

Edward Delia was the sole member of the council who voted against the tax cut.

According to Mayor Joseph G. Bruno, if the township were to appeal, it would have to bear the burden of legal fees that could exceed the reduction in taxes.

Liquor Licenses Renewed, One License will be Up for Sale  

The Council approved the renewal of two liquor licences for 2011-2012, one is a club license owned by the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6259, and the second is owned by Tokash Enterprises Inc., 664 Valley Road, Gillette, NJ.

According to Tokash’s attorney, the company has abandoned all plans for establishing a restaurant in town. 

Township’s Top Athletes Honored

The Mayor and Council honored some of the township’s top athletes at the beginning of its meeting which included: Anthony De Franco, a champion pole vault athlete, Scotland Preston, a champion in golf.

The Governor Livingston High School Baseball Team, and the Blue Thunder Girls 13-Year-Old-and-Under Youth Soccer Club Team were also honored. 

Questions about Changes to Pension & Health Care Policies

Several council members raised questions about the expected pension and health care changes. Township Administrator Amey Upchurch said she had not yet received news about how the changes will impact employees at the local level.

According to the new state law signed by New Jersey’s governor this week, state and municipal employees will be required to contribute a greater amount to their pensions and medical insurance benefits.

Upchurch said medical care premiums would be gauged according to an employee’s salary range.

Dog & Cat License Fees on the Increase

According to the administrator, the township council will be asked to review the township’s fee structure for dog and car licenses. She said most of the neighboring municipalities are already charging more than Berkeley Heights.

According to Upchurch, the council could introduce the ordinance to increase the fees at its July 12, 2011 meeting. The licensing fees could rise from $10 to $15 for dogs and $7 to $10 for cats.