Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Gloucester Township public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
8 issues in taxes budget
$400,000 Grant for a New Electric Senior Bus
Council inserted a $400,000 state grant into the budget and applied for more funding to replace the aging senior transportation bus with a new electric 32-passenger vehicle.
Disabled veteran tax relief
Council credited $7,114.47 of a totally disabled veteran's 2026 taxes and canceled his 2027 first- and second-quarter bills.
Disabled veteran property tax exemptions
Two veterans — Michael Ferguson and Eric Began — received total disabled veteran tax exemptions, with 2025 credits and their first two quarters of 2026 taxes canceled.
National Opioid Settlement funds
The township is inserting a $90,999.20 National Opioid Settlement grant into the 2026 budget for operations excluded from the cap.
New part-time collection systems license operator position
A new ordinance would add a part-time sewer utility position paying $55–$95 an hour. It gets a public hearing at second reading before final adoption.
Stay NJ / Anchor Senior Rebate Changes
Speaker after speaker described escrow shortages, borrowing from family, and waiting for state rebates they must pay upfront. Residents asked council to scrutinize the budget to ease the senior burden.
2026 Municipal Budget Introduction
Council adopted a 2026 budget raising municipal taxes about 13% — roughly $300-400 a year for the average homeowner. Council blames a $3 million health insurance jump and $1 million in snow removal; critics say the township overstates expenses and understates revenue by millions.
2026 Budget Cap Increase to 3.5%
The proposed 2026 budget raises the local tax levy 13.25%, and residents — especially seniors and young families — pleaded hardship. Council trimmed the levy by $496,885 via amendment but blame a $3M health insurance spike and $1M snow emergency for the bulk of the increase. Final budget adoption comes May 27.