PUBLIC RELEASE - APRIL 14, 2026 UPDATE

Last night, the Spotswood Borough Council voted to pass our refunding bond ordinance enabling us to pay to the school district the money stolen from us in October. I want to extend my gratitude to our Council members for their thoughtful deliberation and ultimate passage of this important—and yes, controversial—ordinance. These decisions are never easy, and I commend each council member for approaching this issue with seriousness, respect, and a commitment to what they believe is in the best interest of our community.

I also want to thank our residents. To those who spoke in support of the ordinance, and to those who voiced opposition—your participation matters deeply. A strong community is not defined by unanimous agreement, but by active engagement, respectful dialogue, and the willingness to be heard. The perspectives shared throughout ensured that this decision was made with a full understanding of its impact.

We will issue a special emergency note to repay the schools in early May. There will be no tax impact in the 2026 budget. When the note comes due in May 2027, we estimate the tax impact at about $157 per average assessed home for the first year. The decision as to when we issue a longer term bond for the $3.4 million will be made in concert with the Council.

We continue to seek recoveries from all sources. All monies we receive must be applied to the repayment of this debt. Our hope is that by next year we will have a clearer picture of what reimbursement we will receive.

Thank you for your patience as we continue to address this issue.

Rich O’Brien   

Mayor