Comments on: Small Town Rebound: Making a “Great Place” in New Jersey

By: Richard Rabinowitz

Richard Rabinowitz — Wed, 16 Jan 2013 19:47:00 +0000

I’m curious. Is there any way to peg the real estate taxes closer to income or to the actual use-value of the property, as opposed to assessed retail values? Also, are the real-estate taxes paying for infrastructure and other things related to the use of real estate?

By: Don Smartt

Don Smartt — Sat, 22 Dec 2012 23:25:00 +0000

I had the pleasure of working closing with Steve in Madison. As the first downtown manager in New Jersey, and one of the first in the country, I was fortunate to have the opportunity of working with some really great people as we laid the foundation for the successes ahead and on a model that PPS brought to the nation.

This year I celebrate my 30th anniversary in the field and it all started in Madison.

I remain active as the ‘downtown manager’ of 5 business improvement districts in North Jersey.

Don Smartt
http://www.donsmartt.com

By: R H

R H — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 21:21:00 +0000

I live in NJ and when I’m in Madison I say to myself. Wow what a great town. Walkable with many great shops and restaurants right in town. Great houses. Schools are good. But there’s one problem with most anywhere in NJ. The sky high real estate taxes. This is a problem that comes from the state. Not necessarily the local towns. I have the same attitude that most NJ residents have. When the job goes away I’m leaving the state. Because without a high paying job there is no way to pay the taxes.