Garwood 365- The Original Community News and Neighborhood Blog for Garwood, NJ

In Print: State Aid to G'wood Withheld

Garwood's aid, like 464 other towns in New Jersey, in-limbo after state funds dry up. Estimates seem to show Garwood could loose more than $10,000.

New Jersey budget gap hits towns and cities

TRENTON — More than $20.6 million in state aid due to municipalities Tuesday was instead withheld by the state, which is holding onto the money and might permanently revoke the payments as it figures out how to rebalance its own budget.

The change affects 465 of the state's 566 municipalities. While four cities … Newark, Camden, Trenton and Paterson … face the loss of more than $1 million each, the amount withheld is less than $10,000 in 248 towns.

The New Jersey State League of Municipalities might sue, said executive director William Dressel Jr., who said the change comes with little notice in the last month of the budget year for towns on a calendar-year budget cycle."The league is exploring a possible legal challenge to this unprecedented state policy surprise,'' Dressel said. Department of Community Affairs spokeswoman Lisa Ryan confirms municipalities were alerted Tuesday that the day's aid payment would be withheld at this time...

Read the full story here: Asbury Park Press