Much of the blame was placed on the school system, which accounts for roughly 65 percent of the local property tax bill in this community and many others.

"The senior citizens are finding it very difficult to remain in Norwood," Van Dyke said to an attentive council nodding their heads in agreement.

Van Dyke asked local lawmakers to take a proactive role in lobbying the state Legislature too, again, revamp property tax laws to allow municipalities greater control in taxing residents.

Specifically, Van Dyke requested that the council lobby the Legislature to extend greater tax breaks to senior citizens who can no longer afford to pay their tax bills. He wants the council to push for greater breaks that go beyond the current senior tax freeze, which depends on an individual’s yearly income. The state’s senior tax freeze plan tries to control the amount that those residents pay each year. While the tax is paid to the municipality, seniors are later reimbursed by the state. In connection with that proposal, which the council somewhat agreed with, he asked that a larger share of the tax burden be placed on families with children in school and the younger, working families.

While his suggestions received praise from lawmakers, state law prevents the council from enacting any local property tax collection laws. State law is very clear that the same tax standards be applied to all taxpayers.

However, despite his elegant appeal to lawmakers, Councilman Michael Knigin pointed out some flaws with the idea, even though he agrees with the thought.

Knigin, who is 33, and one of the many residents who would have to pay more taxes if additional breaks were given to seniors, thinks it would only open the community up to younger families that were making a lot of money. In essence, he felt it would create an elitist status that would not be good for the community makeup.

"I agree with the seniors, but at the same time I don’t agree with placing a greater burden on one side of the population," Knigin said. "There is a balance you need to keep in mind. You are putting greater stress on lower income families. You would be raising taxes on younger folks. You would be raising the income bar. If you raise that you are going to be tilting more towards a greater affluent community."

In addressing the problem of growing taxes, the council has few options.

Members agreed that the best course of action would be to discuss this particular issue at an upcoming work session when there would be more time to have a deeper conversation.

"I think we should move forward," Councilman Edward Condoleo said. "I think we should first create a methodology and should propose how to do it. The costs are running away from us and the state is helping."

They also entertained sending a letter to their legislator stressing the need to solve this problem.

"I think seniors should get reduced taxes," said Mayor James Barsa who proposed that lawmakers send a letter to the state.

But for Van Dyke, waiting for the state to react doesn’t solve his concern.

"It’s just sad to see so many families who I grew up with, can’t stay here anymore. Property tax seems like it just has a blind eye."

And for now, it does.

E-mail lang@northjersey.com or call 201-894-6710