Edgewater Park receives Four (4) proposals to undertake a complete revaluation of all real property within its jurisdiction (see below) and guess what! They do not accept the lowest bid. Instead they take the next bid that is $3,300 higher. Why did they do this you ask? Well, that very same question was asked last week by Allen Ashinoff, who is a candidate for township committee, at the Edgewater Park Township Committee Public Meeting. He received the following explanation from Township Administrator Linda Dougherty. Because Vital Communications, Inc. supplies the Tax Assessment program used by the township, they felt that Vital would provide smoother interface with taxpayers and the Tax Assessor. Bullshi-!!, she thinks they will make her job easier.
The following are the facts that can be verified and prove that the reasons given by the Administrator are bogus. Fact;
Appraisal Systems, Inc the lowest bider has provided revaluation services for over 100 municipalities in NJ who are using Vital Communications Assessment programs in their municipality with no taxpayers/Assessor problems.
Fact;
Appraisal Systems have provided revaluation services for many Burlington County Municipalities most recently Bordentown Twp.
Fact;
The State of NJ only allows certified Re-val Firms that are approved by the NJ to bid on municipal revaluation projects. They also must approve the award of all revaluation contracts.
Fact;
Because this project must be carried out only by a professional services firm approved by the NJ Dept. of the Treasury, the township doesn't have to pick the lowest bid, under NJ Local Public Contracts Law, N.J.S.A. 40A:11-1 et. seq.
Fact;
This loophole cost the Edgewater Park Taxpayers $3,300 dollars for no additional services.
Please check out these facts because you will not read about it in the BCT.
The Township Committee/Administrator just finished telling us taxpayers how they did everything in their power to keep the tax increase down and that was one of the reasons they needed to cut funding/support for the 2009 Memorial Day Parade, well the extra $3,300 dollars could have allowed for Edgewater Park to support the Memorial Day Parade.
This is indicative of the decisions made by an incompetent Township Committee and administrator who only care about the special interest that support their elections and lifestyles. Gee we couldn't ask the Administrator to work and look out for the Edgewater Park Taxpayer could we after all, she has her own businesses to look after.
You the Edgewater Park Taxpayer can stop this abuse of our taxes by exercising you right to vote next week. We need to elect people who will stand up to a bully who has been leading the present township committee people around by their noses. The time to stop this abuse and bulling is now for your own good and the good of our town.
The Edgewater Park Reporter
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