Wayne Approves Tax Increase in 2023 Budget

WAYNE, NJ — Wayne council members approved the township's $94.5 million budget for 2023 by a vote of 5-3 this week, bringing a municipal tax hike of about $130 for the average homeowner.

The average homeowner will pay an additional $10.88 per month to cover municipal costs, said Mayor Christopher P. Vergano.

Jason DeStefano, Jonathan Ettman, Richard Jasterzbski, David Varano, Franco Mazzei approved the measure, with Al Sadowski, Joseph Scuralli, and the lone Democrat Francine Ritter voting no. Jill Sasso was absent, according to council records. No council members or members of the public made comment before the vote on Wednesday.

In a statement posted to Wayne's website and in public meetings, Vergano and other officials have cited rising inflation and costs as driving forces behind the biggest municipal tax increase since 2008.

"Our Township continues to feel the impact of inflation and the ongoing supply chain crisis through spikes in material costs, increases in fuel prices and long delays for equipment purchases," the mayor said. "These uncertainties were realized as we constructed the budget for the upcoming fiscal year. That being said, I am committed to continuing our investment in infrastructure, public safety and economic development."

Council had originally scheduled the vote, and time for the public to comment, on May 17 but decided to postpone it because Sasso and Ettman were absent.

The township projects it will need to bring in about $3 million more in taxes this year compared to 2022.

View the full budget below, or click here to open in a new tab.

2023 Introduced Budget - Wa... by Michelle Rotuno-Johnson