WAYNE, NJ — Wayne Township’s mayor said he has “major concerns” about the size of and cost an upcoming bond coming before voters in March, and its future financial effects.
Mayor Christopher Vergano shared his hesitations of the forthcoming $169.8 million bond proposal at the Township Council meeting on Wednesday, and again in a video message on Thursday. He said he anticipates the referendum will be defeated, and proposed presenting a smaller bond issue at a later time.
“The 62 proposed projects need to be prioritized, and the most important projects should be placed in a new referendum…in the fall,” he said. “I believe that this bond exceeds what we can afford.”
On March 12, Wayne Township voters will be asked to approve the sale of bonds, with state aid already committed to covering $39 million of those costs. A community forum discussing the proposal, which is aimed at enhancing facilities across all 15 schools within the K–12 district, is scheduled to take place on Thursday, Feb. 15.
If voters approve, the district will be able to sell bonds, which will be repaid over time through property taxes. The voter registration deadline is Feb. 20.
The average tax contribution for a home assessed at Wayne Township’s average ($229,473) would be about $370 more a year, and would drop once the Anthony Wayne Middle School investment is paid off in 2025, the district said.
Vergano also talked about the tax impact for residential and commercial developments in town, including Willowbrook Mall, Wayne Towne Center, and residential development Mountainview Crossing.
In a statement, the Wayne Board of Education said it was “irresponsible” not to prepare for the “influx of students” who will be joining the district once multiple housing projects are finished in the township.
“The Board of Education, administration, and staff have been working together for three years to examine facility needs while evaluating the ongoing housing development plans being carried out by Mayor Vergano and members of the Town Council,” board members said in a response to TAPinto.
“While hundreds of projects were evaluated, only 62 were selected because each of those projects meet health and safety needs, maintain existing facilities, address increased enrollment, and generate state aid to reduce the burden on taxpayers,” the statement said.
The community session will start at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 15, at Wayne Hills High School Auditorium, 272 Berdan Ave.
