Allendale and Waldwick to merge into new town of Allenwick.
Not it hasn't happened yet but beware, if Bergen County Executive Dennis McNerney gets his way, towns of less than 10,000 people would merge with similar towns with the purpose of reducing administrative costs and decreasing taxes.
Ok so call me old fashion, a homer, or a snob, but my first thought is I like Allendale the way it is and that is why I chose to live here for the last 42 years. Yes, taxes are high. The majority of that going to the school system. Already the high school is regionalized with Upper Saddle River, Saddle River and Ho-Ho-Kus. But the schools are what initially attract people to move to Allendale. The local town feel, the small neighborhoods where everyone knows your name and the community activities is what grows on you over time.
If I review the proposal and think about it a little deeper, I can understand the rational. Yes, it does maybe make sense to combine such services as garbage collection, recycling, street sweeping and other DPW functions where it makes economic sense. Should Allendale open up Crestwood Lake to Waldwick? The place is really never crowded and I am sure Waldwick residents would like a lake instead of a little pool. In exchange how about Allendale using the Waldwick high school's new turf field. That sure would stop some of the bickering going on in town on whether(weather?) to turf the Highlands football field. Combine libraries? Sure why not? Fire departments and police departments? I am not so sure about these.
But let's get down to the real issue. How will property values be affected in each town?
According to the NJMLS in 2007, for residential properties in Allendale,
The average price for the 31 (total listings) properties sold was $960,183. |
The highest price was $2,499,000. |
The Lowest price was $469,000. |
In Waldwick in 2007 for residential properties,
The average price for the 48 (total listings) properties sold was $518,440 |
The highest price was $889,900 |
The Lowest price was $364,900. |
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Can you see where this is going? In order to make the McNerney's plan work, there is going to have to be more equity in the choice of the towns that merge. In any case, someone is always going to feel they are getting the short end of the stick in some way.
While I understand the intent of the proposal, I don't ever see a full merger of towns in Bergen County happening. Some services, yes. It could help to some degree. Stay tuned. You will be hearing a lot more of this in the future as the battle to decrease taxes in New Jersey and Bergen County continue in the political arena.
Please read the article in The Record for more detailed information: Bergen Towns to Merge?
I would love to hear other views about this proposal. Can it work? Will it work? Does it have even the slightest chance of becoming law? Let me know.
Interested to know more about Allendale and about its real estate market? Contact me for a free consultation!
James Lockard
RE/MAX Properties
Office: 201-825-6600
Cell: 201-674-3114
Email: jlockard@remax.net
Website: http://www.bergencounty-homes.com/
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