Sussex establishes five-year tax plan for Route 23 area

SUSSEX — Without a whimper, the Sussex Borough Council established a five-year tax plan for Area A of the Route 23 Rehabilitation Area during its meeting on Feb. 4.

The measure passed, 4-0, with two abstentions: Councilwoman Annette Stendor and Councilman Sal Lagattuta, because they own property in the area.

The exemption includes both improvements and new construction of commercial and industrial businesses.

The start date will begin after the completion of an approved project, per statute.

Mayor Jonathan Rose later explained that for now the borough is ready for a business to submit a new project for approval. The five year tax abatement would be 20 percent, 40 percent, 60 percent, 80 percent and 100 percent of business tax payments over the next five years.

The borough would receive more tax revenue through the abatement program because all of the tax is paid to the borough instead of being divided up between the: county, schools, and library.

Area A will not be zoned as residential.