What a difference a flash drive makes.
In March, residents in the New Freedom Village Homes attended a borough council meeting seeking help. They presented Ring camera surveillance footage – through a flash drive – that showed a group of individuals on motor bikes, ATVs and dune buggies.
The very same residents came back to a meeting on April 9 with no flash drives, but with gratitude and applause.
“You guys have been proactive with us and it’s working,” Joe Dorazio told council members. “It’s definitely the first step in what needs to be accomplished.”
Dorazio, president of the Homeowners Association at New Freedom, praised Police Chief Michael Scheer.
“I have been corresponding with him constantly,” Dorazio noted, “and he’s answered everything that needs to be answered immediately.”
The police department increased patrols in the area and a fence was installed along the PSE&G easement behind the residents’ properties. Dorazio was proud to announce that he and his neighbors have had two quiet weekends.
“No motorcycles going through, no quads,” he reported. ” … It was wonderful.”
Solicitor Howard Long said the surveillance video spoke volumes.
“You didn’t have to say anything,” he observed. “I’ve never seen anything like that.”
In other news, borough council introduced a 2026 municipal budget with an inevitable tax rate increase, according to Councilman Jake Miller, who chairs council’s finance committee.
“It’s simply because of cost-of-living increases, energy increases and insurance increases,” he explained.
For the last couple of years – including 2025 – taxes were raised by 1 cent per $100 of assessed value for the average home. That amounted to about $24.
The 2025 budget totaled $10.62 million. The current municipal tax rate is $0.818. This year, the borough faces a 2-cent per $100 of assessed value for the average home. That means a $47 increase for the average household, Miller said.
The public hearing on the budget will be held at the next council meeting at 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 14.
