Millstone Township resident suggests plan for school tax relief

In response to Committeeman John Pfefferkorn’s article calling for tax stabilization, I think we all agree on stabilization; however, we must provide relief before stabilization. With that said, we have two issues that need to be addressed — and fixed as soon as possible. The two issues are tax relief and schooling relief.

Our taxes are close to 80 percent dependent on the school; therefore, if you fix the school problem, which I will address later, you then have the ability to get your arms around the budget and stabilize the rate where people can still afford to pay the bill. Tax stabilization also calls for a solid plan of ratables. Millstone Township must seek out the good, clean and desirable ratables that are available. Tax income from ratables should fund the surplus, or "rainy day" fund.

Over the last 18 months, I have been assessing the township school system. The bottom line is that the Millstone Township schools cannot do their job when the fear of running out of space and fighting for the next budget is always looming. The issue of space and funding is affecting all students, and soon it will affect some programs.

The time has come for the committee to think out of the box. Over the past year, it has become public information that St. Joseph’s Church wants to build a K-8 school. I believe there is a tremendous opportunity to work out a deal with St. Joseph’s Church. According to estimates, St. Joseph’s has more than 1,000 families registered as parishioners and, based on preliminary numbers, more than 200 children who attend the Millstone Township Elementary and Middle schools. My idea is not rocket science, but one of common sense: the township and Board of Education form a relationship with the church, whereas the township will pay for township students to attend St. Joseph’s School. What this would do is the following:

• Eliminate the township from expending approximately $6 million

• Offer a service and an option to families.

There is not a single entity in the township that would suffer from this. The township schools benefit in space and the need for less funding, the township residents save $18 million over 10 years, before interest, and St. Joseph’s will provide a Christian education to families who desire it.

If this plan is implemented, the township residents will then be able to realize "tax stability" (after a significant tax cut), enhance the schooling of our kids, and show leadership to the rest of the state. I also believe the committee needs to implement a plan to generate ratable income.

I urge the committee to "step up to the plate." Get together with the school board and representatives of St. Joseph’s Church. Quit the bickering and childish political games. This agreement can lead Millstone Township into providing the greatest educational opportunities for the children, and making this township affordable for all residents. This is what you were elected for — positive change and leadership.

Greg Bellotti

Millstone