A special school tax vote in Montclair has prompted discussion about the town’s affordability, with residents and experts weighing in on how rising costs may affect the community. The conversation was highlighted on Mar. 10 by Marc Pfeiffer, a senior policy fellow and faculty researcher at the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy.
The issue matters to many long-term residents who have seen significant changes over the years, including increases in housing prices and property taxes. Jeffrey Grayson, a lifelong resident, said he has witnessed these shifts firsthand and noted that it is becoming increasingly difficult for some to remain in Montclair.
Pfeiffer said that while the potential tax increase from the special election is unlikely to be the sole reason residents decide to stay or leave, it contributes to broader concerns about affordability. “Yes, there is reason for concern, but not just because of the school tax problem. It is a bigger picture issue that places like Montclair are really starting to wrestle with,” Pfeiffer said.
He also pointed out that rising property values can lead to gentrification and impact middle-income homeowners. “When some property values go up they eventually affect everybody, and that can result in gentrification and the loss of middle income homeowners,” Pfeiffer said. He added that multiple factors—including property value increases and overall cost of living—can combine to create challenges for certain groups within the community: “This is a moment where things are coming together, your regular increases in property taxes because of the issue of gentrification, middle class minority families looking to leave because it’s become too expensive. That was an issue before the school tax issue happened. The school tax issue basically makes it harder to do it, particularly for folks who are on the margin,” Pfeiffer said.
The Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy at Rutgers University has been recognized for its research centers focused on community development, transportation, health, workforce development and energy policy according to its official website. The school has also earned national rankings for its graduate urban planning program (third place) and undergraduate public health program (fourth place) according to its official website.
Stuart Shapiro became dean of the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy in 2023 according to its official website. The school focuses on fostering just, socially inclusive, environmentally sustainable and healthy communities at various levels according to its official website, while recognizing distinguished alumni through its Hall of Fame since 2013 as well as annual achievement awards dating back to 1994 according to its official website.