Waking Up to the Numbers
Last year, Gloucester Township saw a turning point—what I call a “public awakening.” I walked our streets, asking folks if they knew how much debt our township carries. Most had no idea. That changed when the council and administration tried to sell our sewer system to American Water, where our mayor works. Over 22,000 residents rallied, voting to keep it public. That moment showed people care—but do we all grasp what this debt really means for our future?
More Than Just a Bill
Debt isn’t just about paying back loans; it’s a promise that ties up our township’s future. Gloucester Township hasn’t missed a payment to lenders, and our business administrator touts our AAA bond rating. But that rating only tells us one thing: investors trust they’ll get their money back. It doesn’t show whether our roads are crumbling, our parks are neglected, or our police have what they need. To keep up with these loans, we’ll need more revenue—likely from higher taxes down the road. And here’s the kicker: those extra taxes won’t even cover maintaining what we already have, like aging pipes or rusty playgrounds, let alone keep up with inflation’s rising costs. In my view, when leaders let our community’s needs slide while piling on debt, they’re defaulting—not to bondholders, but to you, the taxpayers.
Broken Promises All Around Us
Every time our leaders spend tax dollars on a project, they’re promising to maintain it. Build a road? It should stay smooth, not become a patchwork of potholes. Install water pipes or pump stations? They should work reliably, not break down. Parks deserve safe equipment, not swings held together with tape. Public buildings need modern bathrooms, not ones stuck in the 1970s. And if we start a bike-share program, shouldn’t there be bikes to ride?
Too often, projects are pitched as “community investments” during election years, only to be forgotten later. That neglect—leaving roads, parks, and other things to decay—is what I see as defaulting to residents. Have you even heard about Moffa’s Farm? We fund these projects expecting them to last, but without proper care, they become burdens, not blessings. Meanwhile, the debt we’re racking up commits our future tax dollars to loan payments, leaving even less for upkeep or handling inflation’s bite.
Assets or Liabilities?
Officials might call a new park an “asset,” but it’s really a responsibility. An accountant might write off a park’s value over time, but that doesn’t cover mowing grass, fixing benches, or replacing broken equipment. Every project we start creates a duty to maintain it—and when we don’t, residents pay the price, not bondholders. Our AAA bond rating means investors believe we’ll raise taxes or juggle budgets to pay them, but it doesn’t mean we’re ready to maintain our current liabilities or afford new ones as costs climb. Relying on future tax hikes to cover today’s borrowing only tightens the squeeze on families and seniors on a fixed income who are already struggling.
A Path Forward
Gloucester Township deserves better. We need leaders who put residents first—spending wisely, maintaining what we build, and planning for a future where debt doesn’t mean more taxes piled on top of neglected parks and roads. Let’s stop defaulting to taxpayers and start keeping our promises. What do you see around town that needs fixing? Share your thoughts—I’m listening.
