Teaneck, NJ: People for Progress, the team of three open-government reformers running for Teaneck Council – including Denise Belcher, Ardie Walser and Gina Gerszberg – is challenging the township to not charge interest penalty to Teaneck residents who cannot pay this quarter’s property taxes on time in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Several municipalities across the state have taken this necessary action, but as People for Progress points out, the current Teaneck Council has disgracefully cancelled all public meetings until May 19th, a week after the council election, without scheduling any virtual meetings in their place.
Action by the Teaneck Council is urgent because state officials have made clear they will not extend the May 1st due date. Payments postmarked later than May 11th may be subject to interest rates on the outstanding balance as high as 18%, and outstanding balances at year-end may be subject to an additional 6% penalty. Losing one’s home in Teaneck can be the final step in the process for those unable to make payments.
People for Progress candidate Artie Walser, Associate Dean and Professor of Electrical Engineering at City College of New York, said: “The Teaneck Township Council should take immediate action to do what they can to protect residents facing economic hardship. Residents who have lost their jobs should not have to face extortionate interest and penalties from the township. We are living in an emergency that requires rapid action over vapid gestures.”
People for Progress candidate Gina Gerzberg, who serves on the Government and Legislative Affairs Committee of the Greater Bergen Realtor’s board, said: “Why have there been no meetings since the virtual meeting on March 24th and none planned until May 19th? I reviewed the Township Code and four members can request a special meeting. We want council to meet virtually to take immediate action to provide property tax relief for our hardest-hit residents, by cutting interest rates or extending due dates.”
People for Progress candidate Denise Belcher, a local business owner who is a member of the township Planning Board, said: “It’s so disturbing that Teaneck is not following the lead of other town councils across the state. Brick has extended its tax due date by a month. Hammonton is going to meet to pass a cut in interest and penalties for late tax payments. Edison, Highland Park and Metuchen are all taking action to cut interest rates to near zero, the lowest level allowed under state law for late property tax payments.”
“I’ve been talking with Councilmembers Gervonn Romney-Rice and Henry Pruitt frequently in the last few days,” she added, “and they both support this call for action. Now we only need two more members to join them.”