2 N.J. towns vote to exceed property-tax cap

Voters in 12 New Jersey towns have rejected referendums to raise their property taxes above the new state-imposed 2-percent cap. Brick Township is one of just two towns where voters approved higher taxes Wednesday.

If the referendum failed in Brick, the town would have stopped collecting garbage. Brick Township Mayor Steve Acropolis said the tax hike voters approved is smaller than the average cost of a private trash hauler. He said that’s a major reason why the referendum passed.

“People like municipal garbage collection. It’s convenient, meaning that when they pay their taxes they pay for that service,” Acropolis said. “They don’t have to write another check out once a year to another carting company that may not listen to their concerns.”

Acropolis said voter approval to exceed the 2-percent tax cap also means Brick will not have to lay off 172 township employees.

Lambertville residents also voted to exceed the 2-percent cap. The move allows the town to include garbage collection in its property taxes instead of charging residents a separate fee for the service.