Marlboro hires company to conduct reval

The Marlboro Township Council has hired Realty Appraisal Company, West New York, to perform a revaluation of every piece of property in Marlboro.

A contract to hire the firm was approved at the council's March 6 meeting. The cost of the firm's services is not to exceed $900,000.

Four companies responded to Marlboro's request for proposals. Realty Appraisal Company submitted the lowest bid. Appraisal Systems Inc., Morristown, submitted the highest bid at $949,900.

According to municipal officials, the revaluation of every property in Marlboro will bring the assessment of each parcel up to its current market value.

The purpose of the revaluation, according to the Realty Appraisal Company Internet Web site, is to redistribute the existing tax burden more fairly based on current market value: If your home is worth $300,000 you should be assessed at $300,000. If your home is worth $500,000, you should be assessed at $500,000. This principle is established by the New Jersey Constitution, and spelled out specifically in statutory law.

As a result of the revaluation, some property owners will see their total property tax bill increase, some property owners will see a decrease in the amount of property taxes they pay, and some property owners will not see any change in their property tax bill.

In 2004 the Monmouth County Board of Taxation ordered that a complete revaluation be conducted. The previous revaluation was conducted in 1992.

Mayor Jonathan Hornik said Marlboro has been in violation of a court order for the past two years with its lack of a revaluation. Most surrounding communities have conducted a revaluation of all property within the past few years. Some area municipalities are undergoing revaluation this year.

To pay for the revaluation an ordinance was adopted on March 6 that authorizes a special emergency appropriation of funds. Township Attorney Ronald Gordon explained that the funds will be paid out in 20-percent increments over a five-year period.

Council Vice President Steve Rosenthal suggested that information explaining the revaluation process be sent out to property owners.

Hornik agreed with Rosenthal's suggestion and said he would try to arrange a meeting at which residents would be able to speak with representatives of the revaluation company and ask questions about the process.

Marlboro's administration office said that with the passage of the resolution to hire Realty Appraisal Company, the revaluation process would start as soon as possible.