Ridgewood NJ, Finally the Village of Ridgewood has now joined over two dozen other municipalities, including Teaneck, Englewood, Wayne, Paterson, Pequannock and North Bergen challenging the tax exempt status of their local hospital .
According to the Bergen Record ,”Valley’s 15 1/2-acre main campus would owe about $4.5 million in taxes if it were fully assessed, according to Michael Barker, the village tax assessor.”
Since a landmark ruling in 2015 stripped Morristown Medical Center of its property-tax exemption. Many towns in New Jersey have begun looking into stripping local non profit hospitals of their tax exempt status and for Ridgewood its about time !
Lets face it for many years Valley hospital have enjoyed the services that the Village of Ridgewood has provide to them. For example police and fire response to alarms, thefts investigation altercation.
Many readers do know that when other towns bring someone to the hospital they do not stay with the patient. If the patient becomes combative or unruly the Ridgewood police have to respond and remain until the situation is resolved.
Great news for Ridgewood. Why ? Because if this decision is allowed to stand, you will need it.
Hallelujah, what took the Village so long?
Its a cost plus business ..they will tack it onto the hospital bills of ridgewood and other users..it’s not like they need to absorb any of these new taxes being proposed..
Heard they appointed a special negotiating team to try and settle this. . . .
Hip hip…
HOORAY!
This gives Ridgewood much needed leverage in defending against Valley’s lawsuit against Ridgewood. A settlement on much better terms for Ridgewood should be in the offing now…
3:11pm correct. They appointed a new negotiation team. Gwenn Hauck is heading that team. They requested a friendly face in the negotiations.
And who did they Ridgewood Council appoint for this negotiating team 3:11? Gwenn Hauck, James Griffith and Rurik Halaby.
I find it ironic that they were “disappointed” that they were not consulted…
In all seriousness. Did they appoint a negotiating committee and is Gwenn on it? I can’t tell if that’s a joke and my blood went cold, so..
Was this ever decided? How much does the Village get from Valley in lieu of municipal taxes for the public safety and municipal services they consume across their properties?
I would rather have Valley here with tax exempt status than get rental buildings across town that will raise my taxes anyway. Once Valley leaves RW will have plenty of space to donate to developers. With a realtor for mayor I am concerned.