Verona Manager Addresses Alleged 'Inaccuracies' About Local Taxes

VERONA, NJ — A township official has taken to social media to address statements about budgeting and property taxes reportedly made by a school board official.

Township Manager Matthew Cavallo said in a long statement on Facebook Wednesday night that "gross inaccuracies, misrepresentations, and accusations" reportedly made by Board of Education Vice President Glen Elliott prove that he lacks knowledge of "not only property taxation in New Jersey, but also New Jersey Public School budgeting and policies."

Cavallo addressed the question of how much money the school district is losing out due to Payments In Lieu Of Taxes (PILOT) agreements involving several properties in town.

"The answer is none," Cavallo said. "The district is not losing out on any funding that they would not normally receive if the properties were to be included in the tax base. If the properties that are being planned to meet our affordable housing mandate were not to be subject to a Long Term Tax Abatement and were to be taxed at the standard ad valorem rate, the district would only be able to increase their budget by the 2 percent statutory school tax levy cap, taking into exceptions those that are allowable by the law, over the prior year’s budget."

Cavallo did not specify when or where Elliott made such remarks, but Elliott said in an email that he has spoken to Cavallo and Town Council members extensively, in-depth, and frequently regarding the PILOT agreements. He called Cavallo's remarks "disparaging," and said his knowledge of PILOT agreements is "comprehensive, and Mr. Cavallo knows this."

Cavallo could not be immediately reached for questions regarding the statement he posted on Facebook.

"Despite Mr. Cavallo's cavalier views on school budget cap, it’s a reality and the biggest challenge the district faces," Elliott said. "It seems the township doesn't want to have ownership for any of this, but they do."

Cavallo said there will be a meeting soon to help residents understand how PILOTs work and are negotiated.

Impact On Students

Elliott said the new affordably-priced developments, including the Cameco development, will add more students to the school district. That number, school officials have estimated, "could easily exceed 100 children," in addition to the approximately 25 children that are already from PILOT developments in town, Elliott said.

"This increased enrollment is not a matter of if, but when," Elliott said. "This is going to put significant pressure on school resources, class size, space, staffing, and staff-related expenses."

Verona residents overwhelmingly approved a $27.7 million plan earlier this month to bring much-needed improvements to schools. That plan will cost the average homeowner $18 a month, or $216 annually.

Elliott lost his re-election bid for another board term in November.

Related: UPDATE: Verona Approves $27.7M School Improvement Plan

Email: daniel.hubbard@patch.com