Vote Coming On South Seaside Park Annexation While Concerns Remain

SEASIDE PARK, NJ — Seaside Park Borough Council is getting ready to vote on whether to annex the South Seaside Park portion of Berkeley Township. However, residents are voicing concerns regarding mathematical inconsistencies in a nearly-300 page impact report.

A public hearing and final vote on an ordinance allowing South Seaside Park to join Seaside Park is set for the March 30 borough council meeting.

But concerns remain regarding taxation.

In the initial report, it was said that the merger could reduce taxes by 40 to 51 percent.

That number was found to be incorrect. In an amendment to the report, the number was updated to be an 8 percent reduction. This was shared at a March 19 council meeting.

"The process is broken and the governing body should not be rushing into this decision," resident Dave Arbach, who raised the initial concern about the numbers, said.

"Taxpayers are being asked to sign a multi-million dollar blank check to absorb unknown Berkeley Township debt and aging infrastructure, all based on a broken spreadsheet," said resident David Lospinoso, who launched a petition to stop the annexation.

Other residents remained in favor of the annexation, saying that it was what South Seaside Park residents have wanted for many years.

A decision will be made March 30. If council votes in favor, South Seaside Park will immediately become part of Seaside Park.