Sep. 16, 2006 - Township residents and Council are allies over taxes

By JARED FLESHER
Staff Writer, Courier News

Township residents and Council are allies over taxes

FRANKLIN (Somerset) -- Some residents of Franklin's age-restricted communities think their homes are assessed too frequently and that errors by the township assessor led to unfairly high assessments.

While complaints about property taxes are nothing new -- especially in New Jersey -- the residents have gained an important ally: the Township Council.

In July, the council asked the Somerset County board of Taxation for at least a one-year suspension of tax assessor Burnham Hobbs Jr.'s annual reassessment policy and a review of assessment practices within the township.

A council resolution stated: "The net effect of (annual reassessments) is to unduly increase the tax burden on homeowners and residents of the township."

Some of the highest property taxes in Franklin are paid by residents of the township's age-restricted communities, including Canal Walk, Somerset Run and Renaissance at Raritan Valley, Canal Walk resident Sara Alford said.

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