Natasha Joly, a Berkeley Heights Board of Education member, pressed the Town Council on Tuesday, Oct. 20, over school costs tied to PILOT agreements.

Joly spoke during the citizens hearing at the council meeting, as first reported by NJ21st. She raised two concerns: how Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) agreements affect the school district and the status of the Lower Columbia playing-field project.

A recent Board of Education meeting disclosed that taxpayers cover nearly $2 million in educational costs for students living in PILOT-funded developments, according to NJ21st. Joly asked council members whether they would include the Berkeley Heights Public Schools district in future PILOT discussions.

Councilmember Margaret Illis had previously pushed back on the question, NJ21st reported, citing discomfort with responding and alleging Joly was violating her code of ethics because of her BOE seat. When NJ21st separately contacted all township candidates about supporting schools, the outlet reported Illis was the only sitting council member to reply. She asked the outlet not to use her township email for unrelated matters.

Joly then read aloud campaign-platform statements that council members had given to a separate, unnamed news outlet. Council member John Foster, Council member Poage, Councilman Bill Machado and Illis each pledged in those statements to include the school district in PILOT discussions. NJ21st reported that residents at the meeting questioned whether those commitments were serious, given that council members have not included the district in previously approved agreements.

After the school district tried to engage the township on PILOT-related support, Viana responded to a Sept. 6 email only after the district followed up in early October, according to NJ21st. Viana said there was nothing to discuss at this time.

Lower Columbia field project

Joly also questioned the council about the Lower Columbia playing-field project. She said the original scope called for "installation of a more efficient drainage system and synthetic turf field" but had changed to what she described as "replacing grass with grass." She urged the council to pass a resolution updating the project scope before any payments are made.

Mayor Devanney, who had referenced "bidding issues" at a previous meeting, said she believes the Recreation Commission is reviewing plans.