Financial Relief Expected For Westfield Residents

WESTFIELD, NJ — Westfield residents are likely to see one less bill increase in 2026, with sewer fees not expected to go up as the town works through its upcoming budget planning in Westfield.

While town expenses continue to climb overall, officials noted that sewer-related costs are holding steady for now, helping avoid an additional financial hit for homeowners.

The town collects more than $197 million in taxes each year, but only a portion of that—about $31.5 million—goes toward the municipal budget that pays for local services. The remainder is distributed to the school district, library, and Union County.

Much of what drives the town’s spending is made up of costs that fluctuate year to year and are largely outside local control, including employee health coverage, pensions, utilities, and sewer system payments.

For 2026, those costs are expected to rise by roughly $1 million overall. However, sewer-related expenses are not increasing at the same pace, which is helping keep fees stable for residents.

Town officials also continue using money set aside from prior years to help cushion the impact of rising costs and prevent sudden spikes for taxpayers. Even after using part of those funds in the previous budget cycle, the town still ended the year with a healthy reserve heading into 2026.

For now, that combination of stable sewer costs and available reserves means homeowners are not expected to see an increase in sewer fees next year, even as other expenses continue to rise.