Moorestown Resident Pushes Back On Draft Budget Rhetoric

MOORESTOWN, NJ - A Moorestown resident is pushing back against recent negative comments directed at Democratic members of council concerning a proposed 4.95 percent property tax rate increase.

At the council meeting on Monday night, March 11, Township Manager Thomas Neff presented a proposal that would raise the property tax rate by nearly 5 percent. Read more here: Moorestown Draft Budget Brings Almost 5 Percent Tax Rate Increase

Former Moorestown Mayor Chris Chiacchio weighed in with an op-ed a few days later. Read more here: Former Moorestown Mayor Weighs In On Possible Tax Increase

The below letter to the editor was submitted by resident Annette McGuire on Thursday:

I had to respond to two recent “Letters to the Editor” from an ex-Mayor, Chris Chiacchio, and two sitting members of our Town Council, Mike Locatell and Victoria Napolitano. Both letters try to divide our town by making false claims against Mayor Lisa Petriello and Deputy Mayor Nicole Gillespie.

The three Democrats on council said a large tax increase is not acceptable. The draft budget was created and presented by our Township Manager, Tom Neff. Tom made it very clear that this is only a first draft and would be debated by council.

The Democrats want to find a reasonable way to fix infrastructure AND fund existing large projects like affordable housing and clean water. It is unacceptable that an ex-Mayor and sitting members of our Town Council would submit these false comments.

We need to come together to solve the many challenges facing our community.

Annette McGuire

See related: Updated Schedule Of Moorestown Budget Workshop Meetings