Residents of Collingswood are bracing for what Mayor Jim Maley and Borough Commissioners Morgan Robinson and Robert Lewandowski have described as “the largest tax increase in Collingswood’s history.”
In a recent letter to the community, the officials warned that the average homeowner with a property valued at $450,000 could see an annual tax increase of $671.
The proposed hike comes as the borough grapples with a perfect storm of financial challenges, including a statutory 2% budget cap, flat state aid, and rising costs that officials say cannot be addressed without significant outside help.
The letter arrived in mailboxes a day after the February 27 deadline for candidates to file petitions to run in the May 13 municipal election.
Lewandowski will not seek re-election so incumbents Maley and Robinson will run with newcomer Rebecca “Becky” Sieg.
They are being challenged by Dr. Amy Henderson Riley, Daniela Solano-Ward, and Meghan Adamoli.
The tax increase is tied to a $3 million funding request from the Collingswood Board of Education (BOE) to address an anticipated budget deficit for the 2025-2026 school year.
Borough officials have expressed a willingness to collaborate with the BOE but are also pushing for greater transparency and input into the budget process. They have requested detailed financial information from the BOE, including transportation costs, staff expenses, and grant funding, to explore cost-saving measures and alternative funding sources.
The announcement has sparked widespread concern among residents, many of whom are already feeling the strain of rising living costs. Local activist Kate Delaney, a former progressive challenger in the 2021 municipal election, criticized the proposed hike, calling it unsustainable for many families. “How long can I afford to live in Collingswood?” Delaney asked in a social media post, citing additional tax increases, rising water bills, and other financial pressures. She also accused Mayor Maley, who has been in office for 30 years, of prioritizing development and gentrification over the needs of long-time residents.
The tax hike is just one of several issues fueling discontent in the borough. Residents have also raised concerns about public safety, following a recent stabbing at the Raccoon Taproom that left a 30-year-old man in critical condition. The suspect, 27-year-old Collingswood resident Tahaa Elmogahzy, was arrested and charged with attempted murder and related offenses. The incident has heightened anxieties about crime and the borough’s ability to retain police officers, with an additional $45 tax increase proposed to address staffing challenges.
The proposed tax increase has also reignited debates about the borough’s leadership and priorities. In the May 2021 municipal election, Mayor Maley and his running mates, Commissioners Robert Lewandowski and Morgan Robinson, defeated progressive challengers by a 2-1 margin. The incumbents campaigned on their experience and Collingswood’s transformation into a walkable, vibrant suburb, while their opponents focused on issues like affordable housing, public safety, and fiscal responsibility. Despite their victory, the current financial crisis has left many residents questioning the sustainability of the borough’s development-focused vision.
To address these concerns, Borough Commissioners have scheduled a Town Forum on March 5 at 7 PM at the Collingswood Senior Community Center. The forum will provide an update on the BOE’s funding request and offer residents an opportunity to ask questions and share their feedback. Officials have emphasized their commitment to finding solutions that minimize the tax burden while ensuring the long-term stability of the school district and community.
As Collingswood faces this historic crossroads, residents are left to weigh the costs of staying in a town that has long prided itself on its charm and community spirit. For many, the question is not just about taxes but about the future of the borough they call home. “Things are really bleak in Collingswood right now,” Delaney said. “Here’s hoping we can find a way forward that works for everyone.”