Let me show you wants happening to our neighbors in Byram.

http://www.njherald.com/story/19116085/byram-to-fight-residents-appeal-of-referendum-denial

"The township will fight an appeal by residents to overturn a Superior Court decision that denied a referendum to repeal a municipal ordinance. The lengthy dispute between the Byram residents and the township stems from the February approval of the ordinance to increase the budget appropriations cap from 2 1⁄2 to 3 1⁄2 percent and establish a cap bank. Following the 3-2 council vote, the residents delivered a petition of 420 signatures to repeal the decision by referendum. To be considered, the petition required at least 253 signatures or 15 percent of the total votes cast in the last municipal election. The petition was later dubbed invalid by Township Attorney Thomas Collins in March".

Is Hopatcong establishing a "caps bank"? You betcha! Plus they're introducing an ordinance for "property reassessments" at the next Council Meeting to be held August 1st.

http://www.hopatcong.org/agenda/REGULAR080112.pdf

Introduction Ordinance #21-2012 – Reassessment Appropriation
A motion is in order to introduce an ordinance entitled “AN ORDINANCE
AUTHORIZING A SPECIAL EMERGENCY APPROPRIATION IN THE SUM OF
$300,000 FOR THE PREPARATION AND EXECUTION OF A COMPLETE
PROGRAM OF REASSESSMENT OF REAL PROPERTY FOR THE USE OF
THE LOCAL ASSESSOR OF THE BOROUGH OF HOPATCONG, COUNTY OF
SUSSEX"

We'll spend $300K of money we don't have to save $300K. How about an Ordinance to get Hudson Farms reassessed?

Hudson Farms owner, multi billionaire Peter Kellogg pays $87,467 in property taxes on ONLY 19 acres in Hopatcong "where his hunting lodge for the ultra wealthy sits", gets a break on his tax assessment at 20% of their assessed value of $4,135,300 on a 1,000 acre plus compound & is incorporated as a tax sheltered business in Bermuda under MMK Reinsurance. What's the community benefit in that?

http://njgunforums.com/forum/index.php?/topic/17653-nj-must-reconsider-sussex-county-farms-shooting-preserve/

"The 900-acre site in Byram and Andover is part of a 3,500-acre plot that also extends into Hopatcong and Sparta. The club received its first shooting permit on the Hopatcong side in 2000, Ursin said".

He's fighting Harvey Roseff who's I believe is running for Council in Byram as well.

http://law.justia.com/cases/new-jersey/appellate-division-unpublished/2010/a6209-07-opn.html

"The gist of plaintiffs' challenge is that DFW did not adequately consider the environmental and other harms that would, according to plaintiffs, result from the operation of a CSP in proximity to a residential neighborhood and related recreational facilities".

BTW...since Ursin represents Hopatcong borough as well as Hudson Farms I don't think he'll looking out for "our" best interests. I'd call that a conflict of interest. Wonder if there's any "personal gain" involved?

So Hudson Farms pays a little over $85,000 in property taxes on 19 acres where's there's a main building and a few smaller buildings.

http://tax1.co.monmouth.nj.us/cgi-bin/m4.cgi?district=1912&l02=191250002____00007_________M

The rest of the 1,070 plus acres in Hopatcong they pay almost nothing on this list because it's described as open space, farm or camp.

http://tax1.co.monmouth.nj.us/cgi-bin/m4.cgi?district=1912&l02=191250002____00007__01QFARMM

http://tax1.co.monmouth.nj.us/cgi-bin/m4.cgi?district=1912&l02=191250001____00001____QFARMM

http://tax1.co.monmouth.nj.us/cgi-bin/m4.cgi?district=1912&l02=191260001____00007____QFARMM

http://tax1.co.monmouth.nj.us/cgi-bin/m4.cgi?district=1912&l02=191250002____00007____QFARMM

Meanwhile the largest tax payer in Hopatcong Weldon Quarry has 765 acres assessed $13,500,000 (or 83% of $17,006,900) and pays $352,240/yr taxes.

Is that right????? And they want to reassess us?

http://tax1.co.monmouth.nj.us/cgi-bin/m4.cgi?district=1912&l02=191270001____00001_________M

In the link in above post the ruling said "We cannot decide here whether the narrowness of the statutory criteria for licensure would be mirrored by a corresponding narrowness of any preemptive effect flowing from the issuance of the license. But we note that, despite the designation of the license as "commercial," LOCAL LAND USE LAW actually governs the issue of whether a preserve can be operated as a business or commercial venture".

I don't mind having my property reassessed. What's the harm?

Rockon....how about you telling us what the benefit is?

I have no problem with the reassessment either. The ones that seem to be against reassessment are those that filed tax appeals and had their property taxes reduced. They know that when the reassessment is completed the tax rate will be adjusted and their taxes will be going up.

Let's clean up all the tax liens in Hopatcong. Right now there's a total of 212 tax liens on properties in Hopatcong one as high as $20,061 delinquent. Let's say the average tax owed is $5,000 X 212 properties = $1,060,000 in revenue. We're paying $300,000 to reassess properties. Why not spend the money to go after those that owe the borough $? Why is it that it's always the people that pay their taxes on time that get penalized?

http://www.foreclosure.com/search.html?ps=25&q=&ob=asc&dty=&o=ci&tab=t&cno=037&ntv=&xtv=&pmap=true&st=NJ&ay=&pg=14

http://www.foreclosure.com/search.html?ps=25&q=&ob=asc&dty=&o=ci&tab=t&cno=037&ntv=&xtv=&pmap=true&st=NJ&ay=&pg=15

http://www.foreclosure.com/search.html?ps=25&q=&ob=asc&dty=&o=ci&tab=t&cno=037&ntv=&xtv=&pmap=true&st=NJ&ay=&pg=16

http://www.foreclosure.com/search.html?ps=25&q=&ob=asc&dty=&o=ci&tab=t&cno=037&ntv=&xtv=&pmap=true&st=NJ&ay=&pg=17

http://www.foreclosure.com/search.html?ps=25&q=&ob=asc&dty=&o=ci&tab=t&cno=037&ntv=&xtv=&pmap=true&st=NJ&ay=&pg=18

http://www.foreclosure.com/search.html?ps=25&q=&ob=asc&dty=&o=ci&tab=t&cno=037&ntv=&xtv=&pmap=true&st=NJ&ay=&pg=19

http://www.foreclosure.com/search.html?ps=25&q=&ob=asc&dty=&o=ci&tab=t&cno=037&ntv=&xtv=&pmap=true&st=NJ&ay=&pg=20

http://www.foreclosure.com/search.html?ps=25&q=&ob=asc&dty=&o=ci&tab=t&cno=037&ntv=&xtv=&pmap=true&st=NJ&ay=&pg=21

http://www.foreclosure.com/search.html?ps=25&q=&ob=asc&dty=&o=ci&tab=t&cno=037&ntv=&xtv=&pmap=true&st=NJ&ay=&pg=22

Watcher..they're actually spreading the payment over 5 years NOT 3 years as you say. Why? We can't afford to pay it now. This is not rocket science. Take a look at this report.

https://www.muniauction.com/pma/Hopatcong.Boro.GIB.WUB.11.pos/Hopatcong.Boro.GI.WU.11.POS.pdf

This is a report that has to be filed with the SEC in order to get encourage investors to buy bonds for Hopatcong debt.

You see where our total delinquency in taxes are going? Up every year since 2006.

Delinquent Taxes and Tax Title Liens
Tax Title Delinquent Total Percentage of
Year Liens Taxes Delinquent Levy
2010 229,227 1,092,534 1,321,761 3.26%
2009 184,944 917,153 1,102,097 2.87%
2008 117,604 885,753 1,003,357 2.75%
2007 59,963 823,144 883,107 2.53%
2006 47,850 735,931 783,781 2.32%

Who picks up the slack? YOU AND ME. How long can we keep this up? For as long as we can fool the investors that Hopatcong is a safe place to invest their money.

Year Amount Amount Percentage
2010 54,385,436 $ 9,068,607 $ 0.48%
2009 55,028,640 8,432,515 0.44%
2008 55,981,881 8,372,915 0.45%
2007 57,009,181 8,503,915 0.50%
2006 57,681,412 8,296,180 0.55%

The debt is a little over $50 M I figure for 2012 for a borough that has a budget of a little over $15M. If that was you or me we'd have to claim bankruptcy.

Lurky Loo...you're right and only with a complete investigation by the Attorney General's office will we get to the truth.

And again "Rockon" just who do you represent? Your profile is not completed, you started responding right around the Mayor's ethic complaint was posted and of course Mike Flippin has offered NO evidence his taxes actually will be fairer than they are now. The fact of the matter is I offered several alternative plans above for increasing revenue and lowering taxes. But the taxpayers will buy into this plan a reassessment will help everyone overall.

Lurky Loo...I am glad you mentioned foreclosures. Which way is Hopatcong headed? NORTH!!!! As a % of total real estate sales it's 7.7% look where it's gone since 2009. LOL! Through the roof!!!!

http://www.zillow.com/local-info/NJ-Hopatcong-home-value/r_52570/#metric=mt%3D29%26dt%3D1%26tp%3D5%26rt%3D8%26r%3D52570%26el%3D

Does anyone know if they are conducting a reassesment or a revaluation? Considering that all home were 100% inspected during the last revaluation it seems pointless to do it again.

Mike Flippin....did I say your taxes will go down? However, anytime a reassessment is done your taxes do go down the first year. After that they rocket skyward.

But here's what you should really concern you when you made this comment, "the 200 homes that owe back taxes are also subject to the reassessment. The only way these non payers impact me is that the town budget carries a line item for bad debt. The 200 homes are still recorded as income due to the Borough".

The borough audited budgets last 3 years has the following under "property acquired for taxes at assessed value":

http://www.hopatcong.org/Hopatcong-Audit-2008.pdf

2008 = $3,629,900

http://www.hopatcong.org/Budget/2009/Hopatcong-2009-Audit.pdf

2009 = $3,631,700

http://www.hopatcong.org/Budget/2010/AUDIT2010.pdf

2010 = $3,662,400

In 2011 they had to reserve $ for uncollected taxes.

http://www.hopatcong.org/Budget/2011/AUDIT_2011.pdf

What was that amount? $1,300,000.

Which brings me to this article about Hopatcong regaining land

http://hopatcong.patch.com/articles/hopatcong-trying-to-regain-land

and these blogs

http://hopatcong.patch.com/blog_posts/this-land-is-your-land-but-you-dont-know-it

http://hopatcong.patch.com/blog_posts/shh-you-could-triple-your-money-easily-with-hopatcong-tax-lien-certificates

Now why do you think they wanted to combine the two boards? To save $?

http://hopatcong.patch.com/articles/zoning-board-head-supports-passed-referendum

continued...

Better schools raise property values too. People would be attracted to this area for more than what the lake has to offer and I wouldn't mind paying higher taxes.

But BOE President has yet to give us what he was promised when first elected and that was "better schools". Instead what we got was no value for our $.

http://hopatcong.patch.com/articles/report-high-school-sats-below-state-average

"In 2008-2009, the typical Hopatcong student (1,504) actually scored just better on the SATs than the average state student (1,503)".

Then he proposed an open space rewrite which took even more tax dollars away from the borough.

http://hopatcong.patch.com/articles/open-space-plan-getting-big-rewrite

"In 2002, the plan's main objective was to provide a range of year-round recreation activities for residents. Secondary objectives included preserving and enhancing water quality; maintaining a diverse plant and animal population; and retaining the borough's scenic and rural characteristics. Reynolds said the new plan would probably place heavy emphasis on Lake Hopatcong".

It went on further to say....

"Outdoor recreation is critically dependant on open space," Reynolds said. "Quality of life is often critically dependant on one space." The grant project group consists of Scanlan, Councilman John Young, Open Space chairman Cliff Lundin, Mayor Sylvia Petillo, a soon-to-be-named Board of Recreation member and others.

Reassestment? last time I had my house reassed I ended up with 2 fireplaces, an extra bedroom, an extra full bath, and a finished basement. All which I do not have. When I approached the tax assesor she said "it was some college kids who did the assestment"???? I hope we're not paying some college kids again to innacurately reasses a property at 300k.

When the Town Stops Giving the Wealthiest in our Town and the WORLD a Grand Reduction in their Tax Rate to their Offshore Structures and refers to them by their real legal names like - MMK Reinsurance Ltd - Bermuda. And stops allowing them to operate an Elite Commercial Shooting Club on Public Tax Exempt Open & Farm Land Trust Land. THEN Hopatcong has the right to tax reassess THE MIDDLE CLASS on home reevaluations. Or else give everyone the same revalue property deals they gave the principals of Hudson Farms . I am tired of making up for lost tax ratable by the top 1% so that they don't have to pay their taxes and gobble up all the vacant land in Hopatcong at devalued Market prices, because they have cozied up too some Land Trust deal and had our Officials do a "Donation Back Flip and Let's Roll the Red Carpet Treatment " for tax deductable special charity bones they have blessed the Municipality with - And US - the clueless villagers who pick up the tab on their free fire and police protection they receive as BIGGEST LANDHOLDERS OF HOPATCONG. We allow them to keeping dumping on us and we take it, because they made up some line item on the budget and got us to buy it as legit and have no choice but to pay this tax. It is time to protest this audacity at a Town Meeting and each of us give our 5 min worth for the record. Stop making the Rich Richer and allowing our town to dissolve the MIDDLE CLASS with tax increases while giving deductions to the flithy rich.

The Sheeple also allow horrendus boats that are deafing on the lake. Nobody really cares.

David...I hate to say this because I am an animal lover myself but the passing of Rosco (who spent most of his life as a borough human-tracking dog), got people more riled up in this town than a reassessment article did on Patch which leads me to believe no one cares. What happens when no one cares? They don't attend Council meetings to protest. They keep electing the same politicians back into office who continue to hold private meetings behind doors figuring on ways to spin a tax increase because they believe "we wouldn't know a conspiracy theory happening if it hit us in the face". Kinda reminds me of the Cable TV vs Direct TV ad.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bdR8Q6EMUbk

Leave Rosco alone. People were responding for the love they felt for him . your a heartless cruel individual. If you don't like it here leave, bet dollars to doughnuts no matter where you go you'll complain Try to have some compassion for the family of Rosco. It did our hearts good to see how many people appreciated and cared about what he did. Not so much you. People like you make me sick. Don't bother responding because I find you nausiating. I bet you hate the farmers market also. It's a good thing, been there bought stuff and happy to see we came together as a community.. You should try it once. maybe you'll have some human emotion. NOT!!!!! Again do not tarnish Rosco's memory. People in this town loved him.

Better get that reevaluation before the crash happens. I say you have about 3 months.

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/the-real-crash-is-dead-ahead-as-2008-is-forgotten-2012-07-31?link=MW_popular

“We’ve got a much bigger collapse coming, and not just of the markets, but of the economy … like what you’re seeing in Europe right now, only worse … when we hit our real fiscal cliff and a meltdown more severe than the Crash and Great Recession of 2007-2010".

Tammy, not to much coffee, Rosco's name should not have been mentioned at all. If that is the only comparison he can come up with then he has a problem, Rosco was my family that is why I sounded off on that fool. So Tammy that's the story. People came out and responded to something they really cared about, at that point in time, because Rosco made a difference and brought people together, unlike roll back, no difference ,no solution just negative attitude. So now tell the people they should show the same respect to roll back and the chronic complainers with no answers. . Oh by the way he doesn't have a point NO COMPARISON!!! I am proud of the families that took the time and gave Rosco the attention he deserved. That's what Hopatcong is all about compassion not what rbot is doing. so come up with another comparison, again leave Rosco out of the politics.

Hi Emily--I understand your emotions about Rosco. Perhaps that's why you can't see he didn't say anything negative about Rosco nor did he bring Rosco's name into politics. He wasn't comparing Rosco to politics either. He was comparing the reaction to the articles. Roll Back is trying to make a difference. Whether you agree with him or not you have to give him credit for investigating things that don't sit right with him. It is a fundamental right of the American citizen to question our government. When people question our elected officials it is not "chronic complaining". I have a suggestion. If these "chronic complainers" find out there have been some dirty dealings going on or if they manage to get our taxes straightened out and lowered, or if some of our services come back all of you who called RBOT and others "chronic complainers" should not take advantage of any benefits that might come from their chronic complaining. You all who are afraid of rocking the boat, who want to blindly trust those in charge of our town and our money should step up and say "No, these benefits came from chronic complaining and negativity, I will not accept any good that came of them. Leave my taxes how they are, let our elected officials continue to squander my portion of the taxes collected, don't give my children any new school books if the money came from questioning the Board of Education." I'm sorry for your family's loss, Rosco was and always will be the pride of Hopatcong.

hey roll back , I still work, so does my husband. Your a sarcastic fool that no one reallt cares about. That's probably why people standing behind in your plight to being the town down. sounds like a movie script. if you don't care don't form an opinion. Just showed your tru colors, I believe it would be black. sorry about your furry friend.I'll try not to compare that to something in this town,

Emily, you are exactly what this town needs and what our elected officials fear the most. Somebody that is passionate about what they believe in. Please don't let them wear you out. In this instance I think it is you that has the blinders on because you can't see that RBOT is just as passionate about his cause as you were about the Warriors and the wrestling program. I am not one of those that don't vote. I take my right and responsibility to vote very seriously. I'm not sure if I am smart enough to run this town or any other town and have never claimed to be. I do expect our elected officials to be smart enough to though. I do know that I am not cut out for politics. I call a spade a spade, I am incapable of *ss kissing and I would care too much about what the people I am representing want and need. I really don't think RBOT is looking to bring this town down. He just wants answers to questions we shouldn't have to ask. He wants the people who are in charge of our money to be accountable for what they do with that money. He wants to know why there are so many closed door meetings and why the tax payers are left out of so many loops. You are right, our taxes probably won't go down but wouldn't it be awesome if even for just one year, they didn't freakin' go up (along with every other thing they charge us for)? Aren't you tired of handing out money hand over fist and getting less and less in return?

Tammy. Nobody is wearing me down, believe me. Life goes on for me, but I choose to fill it up with things that make me happy. If rbot wants to continue a fight he'll never win, so be it. Until your in a political position I don't think people realize what it entails. Mistakes are made everyday and I don't understand what loop rbot wants to be a part of. The money aspect I really believe no one will ever agree on what it should or should not be spent on. Politicians play on the lower taxes, more jobs, etc, and in reality it is just a way for them to get voted in. Yes, Tammy I would love or the taxes to go down for a year, but that's in a perfect world. As far as closed door meetings, that's been going on forever. it will never change. He cannot change that unless he runs for office and gets in and starts to clean house. I know for sure that he will find out running a town is not that easy and he would be put in the same position as the people that are in there now. I do believe the elected officials are smart enough and by the way they pay taxes also. They live in the same town, so whatever they do affects them. Yes I am tired of handing out money, especially at the gas pump, heating oil, food, electricity but such is life. The return I get is I feel safe where I live and you cannot put a price tag on that. Have a great day Tammy!!

I've been reading the comments between Emily and Tammy back & forth. Thanks Tammy for your support. Emily I find your comments amusing. I am a businessman incorporated in NJ struggling to find reasons to stay in this state. I have run divisions of companies with much larger budgets than this borough & I find it disheartening to see how this borough wastes money on frivolous things. So I filed and Ethics complaint against the Mayor. You will find combining the two boards will be a personal gain for certain people in the long run. But Emily you say I am a "chronic complainers with no answers". I have offered solutions like collecting on the delinquent tax payers that would add over $1M to revenue, getting Hudson Farms to pay their fair share which would add about $300K & starting a citizens audit committee all which have been rejected by the Mayor and Council. Also, in the past I have been vocal about selling the borough property to CVS for $3M & getting them to pay for the move. Furthermore, I have suggested we close the Hudson Maxim school, move borough hall plus the police department into it & consolidate the students into the other 4 schools due to declining student enrollment the last 10 years & under performing schools the last 5 years. Finally, Emily, you must be naive to think "elected officials are smart enough and by the way they pay taxes also. They live in the same town, so whatever they do affects them". In closing I am moving soon. Good luck!

why you think your smart enough, then you should be the mayor. I hope you find the perfect town with no problems and everyone has the same ideas, oh that would be Mayberry. Come on you sound like an intelligent person don't ruin it by slamming the place I live, and have lived for over 60 years. So it can"t be so bad. Naive, far from it. street smart yes, better then your credentials. All your solutions lack merit because you failed to put then in action. Meetings, phone calls, pounding pavement, that's what it takes, but no one has time for that or maybe there just happy with what they already have. Good-by and good luck.

Emily...it takes concerned citizens to show up at Council Meetings, not just responding on Patch. Mara, Michele and I can't be fighting these battles alone. We have done pretty much what you claimed I/we haven't in your above post "meetings, phone calls, pounding pavement" plus I have spent $ out of my own pocket. But you are right in saying, "but no one has time for that or maybe there (they're) just happy with what they already have". The reason I have no interest in running for Mayor is because this borough is too far gone for me to make any difference now. If I did run and won I would do the responsible thing. I would take the borough into bankruptcy. It is that far gone. However, there are boroughs out there that have done the responsible, had a reality check back in 2008 and brought their budgets in line with Christie's 2% cap in NJ. Out of the 500 or so municipalities 250 are below the 2% cap. But Hopatcong wants to keep spending $ we don't have. So life will continue here with the 5-6% tax increases to keep up with the indebtedness until we find some one fisically responsible enough to do something about it. There will be a "come to Jesus" time when interest rates will rise to the point we can't pay the bills. By that time taxes will be raised enough no one can afford to live here any more and we'll get taken over by the state. But we will have just kick the can further down the road. I've done my part in running the football. Time for some one else to take charge.

Interesting....glad to hear from you. Just have someone on your team tonight at the Council Meeting at 7:30 PM available to answer the following question. "Wouldn't it be better that we claim bankruptcy instead of spending $ we don't have"?

Roll back do yourself a favor and don't put yourself with Michele. She has no clue and is a very jealous individual. Numerous times she has mentioned the wealth of our mayor and mr. kellogg, Where does she believe all this started with the Mayor, it started from way back when. Fallicy , humbug. I realize your trying very hard to prove your point, which yes it is valid, but you don't have the backing from enough people. oh by the way the mayor's family business is kenvil and roxbury but her home is here where she pays taxes like the rest of us. Maybe she doesn't hear any of you because of how you approach her. I've got say I never has an issue with her returning phone calls and talking to me. Don't know what your problem is. I thought you were tired of running with the football and your moving out of here. did I read that wrong. Enough , now I really don't have time for this. This all started because I didn't like or appreciate you using Rosco as a political ploy. Still upset over that. He is family and brought this town together and was loved by all adults and young people. Maybe you should take a lesson from that. Next time you make a comparison make your sure your brain is in gear before you open your mouth. calculate that sir. Good-bye and Goodnight

Emily...personally I like Michele. I have mentioned the wealth of Mr. Kellogg too. I believe he's #171 on Forbes list. If he was any kind of man he'd give the borough $50M out of his billions and bail the borough out since he uses over 1,000 acres of the land in Hopatcong virtually tax free. Instead he gives his $25K donations and expects us to believe he is generous. He could care less about this community cause he lives in Short Hills. Knew about the business and residential locations of Petillo too. Also, I have no problem with the way I approach the Mayor. I am a straight shooter. I just told her tonight at the Council meeting to "take the borough into bankruptcy" because with $50M in debt and only $15M in revenue, it's unsustainable. Yes, I am tired of running the football yes I am out of here as soon as I can sell the house. Furthermore, I didn't use Roscoe as a political ploy and the subject is getting old. You should move on to what this article is all about and you should give me the benefit of the doubt that I meant no harm since I am an animal lover. In closing, "when this borough's taxpayers are pissed off enough they'll do something about it". But they aren't seeing the low turnout tonight. But the next meeting is August 15th to pass the referendum for the reassessment. You should show up cause I'd like to meet you. Maybe you could teach me a few things about the Mayor.

Our Attorney Ursin has confirmed today at the Town Meeting that MMK Reinsurance Bermuda Ltd is Hudson Farms. They will answer my question on August 15th at the special meeting: Taxpayer - MMK Reinsurance, (Bermuda) LTD. Assessment $4,135,300 - Percentage of Net Valuation Taxable 0.20%. What is the taxable amount they are paying. At first Ursin told me I should ask the tax assessor this question but the assessor will not be attending this meeting. If you want to know if I get my answer then why don't you attend this special meeting since it is going to impact every tax paying resident of Hopatcong when they pass this ordinance authorizing a special emergency appropriation in the sum of $300,000 for the preparation and execution of a COMPLETE program reassessment of real property. Ask yourself why this is an emergency using our emergency funding account? We had a Complete assessment less than 10 years ago. Would like the Town to define our emergency situation. Don't think they will define what makes this a valid emergency fund condition. That would be telling you the real financial health and devalued market value of everyone's property. But one thing that will never falter is their spending budget. We can rely on certain numbers to go up when everything else is going down. It is a budget number you can trust that will never go away no matter how bad the economy gets.Thanks to us the unquestionable taxpayer that keeps on giving & are NO Shows to Town Meetings.

Interesting in response to the Land Trust having nothing to do with the Mayor. Municipal Land Use Law ( N.J.S.A 40:55D-44) ...."Once a town meets the Planning Incentive criteria, it receives funds in the form of a special block grant, similar to a credit line, that can be used for any parcel listed in its approved OSRP The block grant enables a municipality to react quickly when a market opportunity arises, instead of waiting to see if an individual grant will be approved for a given parcel".
Sounds to me the Mayor has the power here On this Open Space Recreation Plan once it is approved. Yes, "Interesting" I do my research before I open my mouth. My past career was conducting Sarbanes Oxley Audits. I found many fallen in the cracks accounting and misguided policy that was not realized by the shareholders.

hey roll back, Is that the only thing you can come up with. hahahahahahaha Thanks for the laugh. Don't respond because you have nothing to offer , you sound like a cry baby. So in the meantime Mr. Roll back get a life!!!

Emily.......here's something everyone can relate to across the pond in Jefferson.

http://jefferson.patch.com/articles/estimated-tax-bills-mailed-to-residents

"The total increase in spending, raised by taxation, increased by an estimated 0.813% over 2011 which is in keeping with the 2% Tax Cap Law signed by Governor Christie in 2010".

Keep supporting the Mayor. Our taxes go up every year 5-6% since I have been here.

So leave new jersey, because it's like that all over the state. New jersey is a very expensive state to live in, but we choose to live here that is our right. If we also don't want to fight the system,also our choice. So just because you have "solution" we have to stand by you. I like where I live , sure certain things should be changed, but at my age not wasting any time on politics. As far as Michele goes I think she believes she is the queen. Don't expect me to bow down anytime soon. She's just so jealous of people with money and have money savy. I really have to stop responding because this is getting foolish and childish. You and Michele can say whatever you want, neither of you pay my way so your opinion doesn't count. Have a great day!!!!

Emily....there are municipalities in NJ living within their means.

Here's the site for the municipalities that are ABOVE the 2% property tax cap (295)

http://php.app.com/proptaxes11/results.php?COUNTY=%25&MUNICIPALITY=%25&cap=Above&Submit2=Search

and BELOW the 2% property tax cap (249)

http://php.app.com/proptaxes11/results.php?COUNTY=%25&MUNICIPALITY=%25&cap=Below&Submit2=Search

So I am leaving Hopatcong because we have fiscal irresponsible leaders. Most residents just don't know it yet. Their ONLY solution is passing 5-6% increases onto the taxpayer to pay for the debt maintenance. The number will go up because they're rolling over debt on what's called "CAPS". Basically they can go over the cap to pay down borrowed money. By passing the cap they can just borrow money and roll together other loans. They have been doing this since I was made aware of the debt issue both for LONG term (project work) and SHORT term (maintenance). What happens when interest rates rise? We won't be able to meet the obligations.

Here's the exceptions from this article

http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2010/07/gov_chris_christie_legislature.html

"The four exceptions are rising costs of pensions and health care, school enrollment increases and debt payments. Towns would also be granted leeway in the event of an emergency, such as a natural disaster, two sources said".

We should get real. We're broke. Claim bankruptcy!

Good Morning Emily--While it is quite expensive to live in NJ there are plenty of areas where the cost of living equals the quality of living. If our school system was performing at more than an "almost average" level, if our roads were properly and completely repaired after the uncompleted sewer project that future generations of Hopatcongites will still be paying for, if people were forced to abide by ordinances regarding property upkeep,(at our other home on Jefferson Trail 4 of the 5 houses I can see from my yard are DISGUSTING and have been for years despite numerous complaints to the proper town departments) if those services that were cut actually fattened our wallets as promised instead of just adding to the Mayor's spending perhaps people would be less frustrated with living in Hopatcong. It is ridiculous for people to say "move". Really? With the aforementioned issues coupled with the economy how do you suggest people sell their homes so they can move? I think I read somewhere that only 3 houses sold in Hopatcong last month. According to Realtor.com there are 182 houses for sale in Hopatcong. Could be more, as many people who live in the Heights section with an 07874 zip code prefer to list their homes as being in Stanhope. Hmmmmmm.....wonder why that would be?

Tammy...pretty close 189 homes for sale in Hopatcong.

http://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-search/Hopatcong_NJ

Out of that 35 are waterfront who pay TWICE or sometimes 8 X's as much in taxes than the average home.

http://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-search/Hopatcong_NJ/type-single-family-home,mfd-mobile-home,condo-townhome-row-home-co-op/ofbm-101?disp=1

Here's the alarming fact I heard at the meeting last night. Hopatcong now accepts credit card payments for taxes on line. What do you think the % was of the total borough that now used this option? Elia the Finance Administrator told us 33%. So one out of every 3 residents now pay their taxes via credit card. Now there are some instances we use credit card mostly for the points. But this indicates to me something else. People are having trouble paying their tax bill. When the credit card (like Hopatcong's bond debt machine) is maxed out they won't be able to any longer.

Warren....here's the facts. The average tax appeal received about $1,000/year in savings. There were 368 appeals so that amounts to $368,000 in lost revenue.

Now the reassessment will run $300,000 over 5 years financing. I don't have an amorization schedule but let's say it costs $350,000 over 5 years.

You don't have to be a rocket scientist to figure this one. We're spending $350,000 to balance out the $368,000 we lost in tax revenue. LOL!

While I hope people are using this more for convenience rather than a means to hold off the inevitable I am inclined to doubt it. I hope a large portion of that 33% paying with a credit card are actually using a debit card. In addition, how much is the credit card company charging Hopatcong? If the average tax bill is $6,000.00 and the credit card company charges 2% that is $120.00 per person, can Hopatcong afford this convenience? I am not surprised that a Mayor who has no problem constantly borrowing as a means to an end would encourage her constituents to do the same.

Maybe a letter to our Governor is in order. This makes about as much sense as giving drug addicts free needles. Yes, it helps one part of the issue but it really doesn't solve the problem does it? Of course, who ends up paying for the pigs lipstick, the taxpayer.

Interesting - what is entertaining is that the Mayor and Council will go ahead with this OSRP when it was originally created during high economic times. These were plans in place when the Stock Market was running high and real estate was soaring. Purchasing land into the land trust reduces the tax rateable properties for the borough and also further devalues properties values. So our Mayor and Co are operating in a vacuum in regards to being in touch with the current economic climate we are in. It is very entertaining they will be purchasing Open Space properties at the same time they are pushing for a Complete Reassessment of Property values in Hopatcong to be able to readjust for the inadequate tax rates they have to cover their spending. Why would you reduce your tax rateable property during this time. It may have been according to state plans but this is being administered with municipal lunacy.

LOL I kow this is a VERY late reply to this....The Tax assessor just knocked on my door and told me he was going to walk around my property...I simply recommended he do it from the street not go anywhere on my property or he would be forcibly removed from it....he didn’t seem to like that very much.

DD6479 isn't it nice to know things are getting back to normal. Now you have something in common with Hudson Farms. You both have properties the Tax assessor hasn't and won't be stepping a foot on. However, the only difference is you will still be paying into the new adjusted tax rate but they won't be paying any new tax rate for the helipad, the estate house with the stocked ratskeller nor the 600+ acres of preserve land in Hopatcong. But most of all it is $300K our town is spending in order to raise taxes on you - the little guy. Least this $300k should be wasted to improve our communication systems like live streaming Internet video of town meetings or an online electronic billing system to pay for things like our taxes, bulk garbage permits and water bills. But instead $300K is being spent to hire someone we are telling to go away. However, our Mayor is a woman of faith and believes in miracles. Yes, little Sylvia there is a real estate tax gold mine up in those residential hills of Hopatcong and the tax assessor shall shine his light upon them and lead the way to this bounty. And you shall continue to receive paving stones, water fountains, statues, deluxe lit flagpoles and meeting trips to Atlantic City until your final days of office. Amen.

Jazzman - Municipal Land Use Law ( N.J.S.A 40:55D-44) ...."any parcel listed in its approved OSRP The block grant enables a municipality to react quickly when a market opportunity arises, instead of waiting to see if an individual grant will be approved for a given parcel". So if the OSRP is approved and the property you mentioned is on the list it could very well be a property purchased as Open Space Recreation Property without a referendum, vote or approval by the tax payer. Once it is purchased as open space or recreation property it is non taxable land. They say that these properties need to be approved by the state in advance. But how strict is the state in reviewing or investigating a property on the list to see if it meets the criteria. Do they do a thorough audit? You and I will never know this info. However, you could look to see if this property is listed on the OSRP inventory list. Here is the link that lists the properties. It is at the back of this report
http://www.hopatcong.org/Minutes/OSRPUpdate.pdf
This may not tell you if the property has been turned over but you will know it it has been listed for purchase on the OSRP. Again there is no public approval for the Mayor to change the status of this land from taxed to nontaxable land with a OSRP purchase.