Category: Englewood

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North Jersey towns reassess tax-exempt status for hospitals after key ruling

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NOVEMBER 23, 2015, 9:53 PM    LAST UPDATED: TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2015, 6:42 AM
BY LINDY WASHBURN
STAFF WRITER |
THE RECORD

Around North Jersey, more than $700 million worth of property goes untaxed because it is owned by non-profit hospitals. That includes hospital campuses on nearly 90 acres in Ridgewood, Hackensack, Teaneck, Englewood, Paterson and Wayne. And it also includes hospital-related properties, such as portions of medical office buildings in Wayne and Paramus, parking garages in Hackensack and an assortment of lots in Paterson.

That property, and the potential revenue it could produce if it were assessed property taxes, is getting a close look by leaders of the state and local governments after a precedent-setting Tax Court decision and recent settlement in a case between Morristown and the non-profit Morristown Medical Center.

Judge Vito Bianco ruled that non-profit hospitals in the early 21st century are essentially legal fictions, with little in the way they operate to distinguish them from for-profit hospitals — and almost nothing in common with their beginnings as “charitable alms houses.”

https://www.northjersey.com/news/north-jersey-towns-reassess-tax-exempt-status-for-hospitals-after-key-ruling-1.1461487?page=all

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The Valley Hospital’s tax liability would be $4.5 million in Ridgewood if its main campus was not exempt

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N.J. towns may push hospitals to pay up; more could seek property tax deals with non-profits

NOVEMBER 11, 2015, 11:14 PM    LAST UPDATED: WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2015, 11:22 PM
BY LINDY WASHBURN
STAFF WRITER |
THE RECORD

Cash-strapped local governments around the state may be looking at non-profit hospitals with new eyes, now that the non-profit Morristown Medical Center has agreed to pay its hometown $15.5 million over the next decade to settle demands for property taxes.

A judge in state tax court took away the hospital’s property-tax exemption in June, declaring that it operated more like a for-profit company than a charitable institution. Rather than appeal the decision, the hospital negotiated an agreement with the town, which was approved Tuesday night.

“Clearly, this is an open invitation for a number of towns,” Frank Ciesla, head of the health-law practice at Giordano, Halleran & Ciesla, said Wednesday. “I think you’re going to see a lot more in the way of litigation.”

Non-profit hospitals are among the largest landowners in some municipalities. Local governments could begin by assessing taxes on their property, leading to a series of appeals as hospitals seek to clarify their status, he said.

The Valley Hospital’s tax liability would be $4.5 million in Ridgewood if its main campus was not exempt, and $360,000 in Paramus, according to local records. (It already pays taxes on some other properties.) Hackensack University Medical Center reached a settlement this year of various tax issues that is to result in a $5.1 million payment to the city treasury over three years. Holy Name Medical Center in Teaneck, Englewood Hospital and Medical Center and St. Joseph’s Healthcare System’s hospitals in Paterson and Wayne all are exempt from local property taxes.

Ridgewood Mayor Paul Aronsohn said that it hasn’t been possible to raise the issue of taxes — or a payment in lieu of taxes — with Valley during the last few years because of the hospital’s pending application for approval of its building plans.

https://www.northjersey.com/news/n-j-towns-may-push-hospitals-to-pay-up-more-could-seek-property-tax-deals-with-non-profits-1.1453139

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North Jersey ringleader convicted in $3.4M multistate burglary spree

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Called,  “a menace to the residents of North Jersey”

NOVEMBER 2, 2015, 7:13 PM    LAST UPDATED: MONDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2015, 8:55 PM
BY ABBOTT KOLOFF
STAFF WRITER |
THE RECORD
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The reputed head of a North Jersey burglary ring that targeted affluent homes and a New York City accomplice were found guilty Monday of multiple counts of transporting stolen property across state lines related to dozens of burglaries that netted millions of dollars in cash and other items, federal prosecutors said in a news release.

Daniel “Tokyo” Gatson, 43, of North Bergen, and Anthony “Big Country” Hanks, 36, of Brooklyn, and their gang took part in 27 burglaries in six states, stealing $3.4 million in cash and property, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman said.

Law enforcement authorities have called Gatson, who previously lived in Teaneck and Cliffside Park, one of Bergen County’s most prolific burglars.

In 1999, he famously scored $300,000 in jewelry, luxury cars and other items from the Englewood Cliffs home of former New York Knicks center Patrick Ewing.

State Superior Court Judge William Meehan once called Gatson  and someone who had been committing burglaries since he was 18 years old and “has no intention of stopping.”

https://www.northjersey.com/news/north-jersey-ringleader-convicted-in-3-4m-multistate-burglary-spree-1.1447041

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North Jersey marching bands growing, taking the next step

RHS Band

RHS Band in action

OCTOBER 25, 2015, 11:38 PM    LAST UPDATED: SUNDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2015, 11:47 PM
BY MARINA VILLENEUVE
STAFF WRITER |
THE RECORD

There was a time, just 10 years ago, when Englewood’s high school marching band had a dozen members. Now, the Pulse of Englewood, as it’s called, boasts 175 musicians and flag twirlers whose soulful style has captured the city’s imagination.

Drum major Daniashley Sosa — in her words, “not that typical band geek” — said she knew she had to be a part of it as soon as she saw the rows of color guard and band members swaying and singing in the stands at football games. Now, she’s one in a sea of maroon-shirted band members who fill the halls of Dwight Morrow High School and Academies@Englewood every Friday. It’s as if, she said, she has “a second family.”

“I see it as a common ground for everyone to come together with a passion for music,” she said.

Despite demanding schedules and a gnawing need for funding, school marching bands throughout New Jersey are swelling with enthusiastic recruits and attracting devoted community followings.

https://www.northjersey.com/news/north-jersey-marching-bands-growing-taking-the-next-step-1.1441147

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Anti Catholic Sentiment from Horizon Blue Cross and Blue Shield?

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NJ hospital group asks for delay of new referral list

SEPTEMBER 30, 2015    LAST UPDATED: WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2015, 1:21 AM
BY MARY JO LAYTON
STAFF WRITER |
THE RECORD

A group representing Catholic hospitals in New Jersey is asking the state to delay the rollout of a plan by New Jersey’s largest insurer, saying it excludes nearly 90 percent of Catholic hospitals.

The president of Catholic HealthCare Partnership of New Jersey said Catholic hospitals could be forced to close their doors – resulting in the loss of health care access for uninsured residents – if the proposal by Horizon Blue Cross and Blue Shield goes into effect.

The concerns raised Tuesday by the group and by Assemblywoman Valerie Vainieri Huttle, D-Englewood, add to the backlash over a plan to create a tier system that would funnel patients to select hospitals.

Patients could use other hospitals, but their out-of-pocket costs would be higher.

“Insurance companies should not be able to dictate which of our state’s hospitals succeed and which ones fail,” said Sister Patricia Codey, president of the Catholic HealthCare Partnership of New Jersey, whose members include nine acute health care systems, specialty hospitals and other facilities.

“Horizon’s decision will undoubtedly make it more difficult for Catholic hospitals to continue our mission of providing access to health care for New Jersey’s poor and underinsured citizens,” Codey said.

After the plan was made public this month, executives at hospitals left off the list of the select group known as “Tier One” questioned how the list was formed.

https://www.northjersey.com/news/health-news/nj-hospital-group-asks-for-delay-of-new-referral-list-1.1421509

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Englewood Hospital and Medical Center, Hackensack University Medical Center to create joint ventures

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APRIL 14, 2015, 6:06 PM    LAST UPDATED: TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2015, 6:08 PM
BY MARY JO LAYTON
STAFF WRITER |
THE RECORD

After a bitter years-long legal battle to keep Hackensack University Medical Center from expanding in Bergen County, Englewood Hospital and Medical Center will be joining forces with its former rival, officials said Tuesday.

Englewood will maintain its own operations, finances, board, physicians and employees, but launch a clinical and academic affiliation that will create a regional cardiac program as well as other ventures.

“Hackensack University Health Network is pleased to partner with Englewood Hospital and Medical Center,” said Robert C. Garrett, president and chief executive officer of Hackensack University Health Network. “Today’s health care model places emphasis on collaboration.’’

As the delivery of health care and reimbursements to hospitals and physicians changes nationwide, many hospitals are joining large networks like Hackensack, which continues to grow well beyond its Bergen County roots to emerge as a statewide force.

While officials said the affiliation is not a merger with Hackensack, the hospital is currently in the process of turning another affiliation into an acquisition. Three years ago, Hackensack announced a clinical affiliation with Palisades Medical Center, which gave Hackensack a foothold in Hudson County. In September, Hackensack announced plans to acquire the North Bergen hospital, a deal that is under regulatory review.

The hospital’s parent company is also in the process of merging with Meridian Health and its six hospitals in Ocean and Monmouth counties, allowing Hackensack to tap into a market with one of the highest percentages of older residents in the country. In addition, Hackensack, along with a for-profit partner, reopened Pascack Valley Hospital in Westwood and owns Mountainside Hospital in Essex County.

And earlier this year, Hackensack announced plans to open a private medical school with Seton Hall University in 2017 at the former Hoffmann-LaRoche site in Nutley and Clifton.

https://www.northjersey.com/news/englewood-hospital-and-medical-center-hackensack-university-medical-center-to-create-joint-ventures-1.1308787

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Valley, Englewood start new challenge to HUMC North hospital opening

Bike Valley theridgewoodblog.net 21

Valley , Englewood start new challenge to HUMC North hospital opening
Thursday, October 4, 2012
BY  STEPHANIE NODA
STAFF WRITER
Northern Valley Suburbanite

ENGLEWOOD — Englewood Hospital and Medical Center and Valley Hospital of Ridgewood continued efforts to block the opening of HackensackUMC at Pascack Valley at a recent Appellate Division of Superior Court meeting on Sept. 23, saying the county is already well served by existing non-profit hospitals.

“Amidst ongoing challenges of healthcare reform, declining patient admissions, reduced hospital reimbursement, a tough economy, and low population growth in Bergen County, a new acute-care hospital is unnecessary and wrong for the healthcare system in Bergen County,” said Maria Margiotta, director of Marketing and Communication for Englewood Hospital, in a statement.

A certification of need – a state law that decides whether there is an inherent need for a health care facility – was approved for the new Westwood-based hospital by Health and Human Services Commissioner Mary O’Dowd on Feb. 27. The Westwood location will act as a satellite facility for Hackensack University and Medical Center and have 128 beds.

Ever since the certification of need was approved by O’Dowd in February, Hackensack Hospital has been diligently preparing for the reopening of the hospital, which is scheduled for the second quarter of 2013, said Chad Melton, CEO of HackensackUMC at Pascack Valley, in a statement.

“The overwhelming majority of area residents are very supportive and welcome the improved access to essential healthcare services it will provide,” said Melton. “We are continuing to work closely with the communities in the Pascack Valley and Northern Valley to ensure that much needed access to healthcare returns to this region.”

https://www.northjersey.com/news/172596891_Englewood__Valley_start_new_challenge_to_HUMC_North_hospital_opening.html

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Amid protests, Englewood school board walks out before taking up outsourcing proposal

theRidgewood blog ICON theridgewoodblog.net 22

Amid protests, Englewood school board walks out before taking up outsourcing proposal

THURSDAY, JULY 26, 2012
BY REBECCA BAKER
STAFF WRITER
THE RECORD

The members of the Englewood school board, faced with a loud and, at times, angry protest over a plan to outsource nearly 100 jobs, abruptly stood up and walked out of a public meeting Thursday night just as they were poised to cast a vote approving the measure.

Englewood teaching assistant Sharon Vanterpool tells members of the school board Thursday night that on Election Day she will remember their decision to explore outsourcing.
About 150 district employees and their supporters had assembled in the cafeteria at the Dr. John Grieco Elementary School, united in their opposition to the outsourcing plan. As the crowd grew angrier and more animated, the board members abruptly got up and walked into a back room, leaving the audience dumbfounded.

The board members had not voted to go into executive session. Rather, they appeared to be on the verge of voting to hire two private staffing companies — Delta T. Group North Jersey Inc. and Mission One Educational Staffing — to replace the employees, including 24 secretaries and 66 full-time teaching assistants, when they walked out at 9:35 p.m.

The move came hours after the Englewood teachers union rejected an offer to avoid the outsourcing plan in exchange for agreeing to $1.5 million in concessions. The board members had yet to emerge as of midnight.

https://www.northjersey.com/englewood/Englewood_education_union_officials_pore_over_contracts_amid_possible_outsourcing.html

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>Englewood appeals decison on former-Pascack Valley Hospital

>Englewood appeals decison on former-Pascack Valley Hospital

WEDNESDAY MARCH 7, 2012, 11:19 AM
BY JASON BRAFF
MANAGING EDITOR
PASCACK VALLEY COMMUNITY LIFE

Englewood Hospital and Medical Center is appealing the decision made by the State Health and Senior Services Commissioner to allow for the opening of a new hospital in Westwood.

The hospital filed a notice of appeal with the state’s Appellate Division of the Superior Court on Friday, March 2, stating Health Commissioner Mary E. O’Dowd’s decision “disregards the substantial excess of hospital beds in Bergen County,” will cause a “significant loss of admissions” and a reduction of $15 million in revenue for Englewood.

The commissioner’s Feb. 27 decision issued a certificate of need (CN) for Hackensack University Medical Center (HUMC) to reopen the former Pascack Valley Hospital on Old Hook Road as a 128-bed, full-service, acute care facility.

https://www.northjersey.com/news/141754133_Englewood_appeals_decison_on_former-Pascack_Valley_Hospital.html

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>Valley, Englewood hospitals present last stand as Pascack Valley battle heads to hearing

>Valley, Englewood hospitals present last stand as Pascack Valley battle heads to hearing
By Beth Fitzgerald

On the eve of a Health Department hearing on Hackensack University Medical Center’s plan to reopen the former Pascack Valley Hospital, in Westwood, opponents on Tuesday released new studies they commissioned that support their argument that Bergen County has excess hospital beds and reopening the hospital will divert hundreds of patients and millions in revenue from Valley Hospital, in Ridgewood, and Englewood Hospital and Medical Center.

The hearing by the State Health Planning Board, expected to draw hundreds, will be 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Westwood Regional Junior/Senior High School, in Washington Township.

In today’s press briefing at Englewood Hospital, representatives of Valley and Englewood disputed statistics Hackensack UMC presented in its application for a certificate of need to open a 128-bed hospital at the Pascack Valley site, which Hackensack currently operates as a satellite emergency department.

https://www.njbiz.com/article/20111018/NJBIZ01/111019819/Valley-Englewood-hospitals-present-last-stand-as-Pascack-Valley-battle-heads-to-hearing