BY KATHY BARATTA
Staff Writer
HOWELL — The Township Council should postpone the upcoming property revaluation scheduled for next year and instead focus on forcing the state Legislature to restructure the state’s tax system, according to one resident.
John Lebrio said he wants the council to begin an active campaign of contact and correspondence with the state leaders who can make changes in the tax structure happen.
The township-wide property revaluation has been ordered by Monmouth County and cannot be disregarded. The council has already budgeted for the initial steps in the process, which will formally begin in 2005.
Lebrio said if action does not replace rhetoric when it comes to property tax reform, “For Sale” signs soon will be popping up like dandelions all over town.
He said some towns’ revaluations have resulted in property tax bills doubling. Lebrio said quick-fix legislation will not suffice and asked the council at its Sept. 7 meeting to actively petition state legislators to enact laws that will bring long-term tax relief by changing the way tax revenue is generated.
“Band-Aid bills trying to all of a sudden be introduced is unacceptable and accomplish nothing in the long run,” Lebrio said. “It can be done now. There is no need to wait for conventions and study committees to research this. Years lost equals taxpayers’ homes lost.”
Last month, Gov. James E. Mc-Greevey signed legislation establishing a task force to issue recommendations regarding the process of conducting a constitutional convention. The task force is charged with identifying issues the convention should consider.
The governor also appointed the 15 members who will comprise the Property Tax Convention Task Force. The governor has said the convention would be held in the latter part of 2005, after the next gubernatorial election.
Lebrio, who chairs Howell’s Ordi-nance Review Committee, said the state could start restructuring taxes by taxing items such as clothing as well as by raising the state sales tax and income tax statewide “to alleviate and substantially lower the property tax.”
Lebrio said along with putting pressure on the local governing body to act starting this week, he will also be assiduously pursuing the governor and Legislature in his own, private effort to advance state action aimed at offering property tax relief.