BRACE FOR IMPACT:
NA Property Taxes to Soar!
Pronti, All-Republican Council will unveil increase on June 11th!
NORTH ARLINGTON – No news was good news as Borough Officials painted an unpleasant financial picture for homeowners at the May 14th meeting of the Mayor & Council.
The seven-member, all Republican governing body indicated that property taxes in all probability will be rising and described the current condition as difficult and dire for the first time in sometime.
Democratic candidate for Mayor John Balwierczak was in attendance along with council running mates Dennis Papile & Cengiz “Jim” Sever, both homeowners.
The Mayor & Council first voted to exceed the mandated CAP on spending from 1.5% to 3.5% or $780,908 in new spending.
Despite the financial concerns, it was business as usual with all Republicans all of the time.
And the vote to raise the CAP was unanimous (6-0).
With the Republicans totally committed to continued, random reassessments, a reasonable assumption is the municipal portion of the average homeowner’s tax bill will increase 5% to as much as 11% for some homeowners when you consider reassessments and budget adjustments.
For example, if someone is paying $3,500 for their municipal portion, the part controlled by Pronti could increase $3,675 to as much as $4,000.
Note that the overall bill is comprised of four parts: Municipal Services (Library), Schools & County, including Open Space.
For homeowners whose reassessments spiked, the impact could be even higher.
Other considerations will be how their property changed in value relative to the borough’s average, whether commercial properties absorbed most of the new tax levy burden, and the final rate that will be adopted in June.
While the continued excessive spending practices affect the overall Tax Levy, the reassessments determine how the levy is distributed between homeowners.
It can be said with a degree of confidence the average North Arlington home probably sees a $400-$700 annual increase once the budget is ratified, and reassessment values settle in.
For the biggest reason for this impending tax hike is a combination of reassessments, increased spending, promotions and salary hikes, additional spending authorizations, and additional capital outlays all at the same time.
Candidate Balwierczak offered his own assessment:
“Dan Pronti lied to North Arlington inferring property taxes are at an all-time low. He lied to homeowners claiming added assessments are a good thing, when they are driving longtime residents out of the borough, especially senior citizens. If voters consider me, I will end these random reassessments immediately. I’m confident that the remaining Republicans will abandon this flawed and failed policy and we can build a new financial consensus with a healthy mix of both political parties,” offered the lifelong resident.
“The problem is Pronti’s insistence on these unfair and unequitable reassessment policies. When I win, I’ll roll back the revaluation process every ten years, like the 91% of municipalities in the state of New Jersey and that’s my one promise,” noted the candidate.
Balwierczak described Pronti as a real estate agent first, and mayor last. 
“Pronti doesn’t understand the impact of these reassessments, but I do. Pronti thinks building apartments all over Ridge Road makes sense. I do not. I want North Arlington to retain its charm as remaining small, safe and suburban.”
Balwierczak was also sharply critical of Pronti’s response to the raid that took place at 258 Belleville Turnpike by federal agents several weeks ago.
The business known as North Arlington Peak, was part of a far larger federal seizure that included drugs, guns and cash. The registered agent of the business is one Ikechi “Ike” Anaele, the sole principal on record and serves as its agent and is associated with an address in Hillside, New Jersey. 
Fifteen kilos of fentanyl, 19 guns, and more than $160,000 in cash were seized in a sweeping bust of 29 individuals, including Anaele, as reported by The Jersey City Voice and several other media outlets.
In an article published in 2017 by The Patch, Newark Police arrested 75 and recovered guns during an earlier drug sweep. Eric Kiefer, a Patch correspondent, reported that Anaele then 35 was charged with CDS (controlled dangerous substance) possession and distribution.
“Part of the job of being in charge is keeping residents informed. Pronti has refused to utter a single word about the raid and incident. No press release. No information of any kind, as if this did not occur. We need to know the good and the bad. Pronti jumps at the opportunity to cut ribbons, but why won’t he comment as mayor? Do your job Dan. People have a right to know,” offered the candidate.
Balwierczak called Pronti’s lack of leadership a trend in the wrong direction.
“Pronti lied to taxpayers claiming that the River Road water fountain was free when it cost nearly $240,000 to install. Pronti engineered and approved a $200,000 out-of-court settlement regarding a former library employee who claimed a hostile work environment and again, Pronti said nothing. He approved the settlement, and he selected each and every library trustee. Where’s the accountability to taxpayers? What reforms have been implemented so this does not happen again? Another example of wasteful spending and leading from the back of the line.”
Balwierczak is hosting his first fundraiser on Wednesday, May 27th at the Arlington Diner and tickets are $100 per person. All proceeds will be used to fund the 2026 mayoral campaign.
To RSVP, call (201) 655-8497 and tickets can be purchased at the door.
Come meet the next mayor.
A new face for a better North Arlington!
