Monmouth County’s smallest governmental unit can’t catch a break.
The tiny village of Loch Arbour is back in the news following the revelation that it might pay out a $700,000 severance package, including $66,000 reportedly related to unused sick and vacation time, to its municipal clerk should the town of approximately 170 souls merge with a neighboring community.
“Loch Arbour is one of the smallest villages in New Jersey with the highest average property tax bill in the state. Every time we read about another insanely inflated golden parachute, it is a reminder why we need to reform sick pay,” complained Assemblywoman Caroline Casagrande in a press release. “This practice will increase property taxes in a borough where the average bill exceeds $20,000 per year.”
I say “back” in the news, Save Jerseyans, because long-time readers will remember the minor role played by Loch Arbour residents in the 2009 gubernatorial campaign. Then-Governor Corzine’s school funding formula threatened Loch Arbour with a 447% property tax increase, so the citizens posted a mini-documentary of sorts on YouTube to plead their case.
Asw. Casagrande is presently co-sponsoring A-2495, legislation that would end the long-standing New Jersey practice of compensating public employees for unused sick time.
