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ATLANTIC HIGHLANDS HERALD |
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Several comments have been placed in the AH Herald concerning the tax bills not being received in a timely manner. While this is true, let’s look at the facts. Before the tax bills can be sent to the Borough of Atlantic Highlands, the budget for the town must be approved by the State and County. Since the State was shut down in July for 4/5 days, a delay occurred before the Tax Bills reached the County. The Country then sends the four quarterly tax bills to the Town. The tax bills were received on Monday, August 7th and they were mailed out on Thursday, August 10th and all tax payers were given a 25 day grace period until Sept 6, with no penalties. But before they could go out, the tax collector had to verify that they were correct. Some houses had been sold and had new owners, the coding for the bank mortgage holders had to be verified, etc. On June 22nd, the AH Herald had a letter from under the column Reader’s Write entitled “Municipal Budgets the Human Cost”. Which pointed out that an 18 year employee of the Borough had her time reduced from 40 hours to 20 hours thereby losing her medical and pension benefits. She was the only Borough employee that was reduced in hours. Why is still a mystery. No concrete answers have ever been received. Only working 20 hours during this crucial tax time, has not allowed her to do the many tasks that are expected of her. The delay in sending the tax bills meant that many tax payers were coming to the counter to find out why the bills were late, plus many other tax payers were calling on the phone for the answers. This employee could not handle all of the counter people plus phone calls within her designated hours. This should be a full time position and not a part time position. Because of the enormity of the task, it is a normal to have volunteers help to stuff the tax envelopes. Many times the entire Borough staff would help finish the project, and when it is very hot, often the Borough Road employees are brought in to help. This time, Seniors volunteered their labor and were paid by pizza and donuts. They worked very hard and accomplished the mission and it was greatly appreciated. Let’s look at other municipalities with similar populations to Atlantic Highlands and see how many full and part-time employees they have in their tax departments. Borough Position Population Avon by the Sea Tax Collector- certified full time> 2242 Deputy collector full time Bradley Beach Tax Collector- certified full time> 4842 Deputy collector- limited part time> Deal Tax Collector- certified full time> 1051 Highlands Tax Collector- certified part time> 5179 Tax Assistant- full time Little Silver Tax collector- certified full time 6624> Tax Assistant- full time Neptune City Tax Collector- certified full time> 5407 Deputy Tax Collector- full time Shrewsbury Borough Tax Collector- certified full time> 375 The 2006-2007 Budget had included a full time assistant tax collector. Surely Atlantic Highlands can afford to have a full time assistant tax collector, don’t you agree? If so, make it known to the administration. Sincerely,
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