Proven Leadership. Real Results. A Stronger Wharton.
Wharton’s progress is built on experienced leadership, responsible planning, and a commitment to delivering meaningful results for residents. From maintaining strong finances and supporting local businesses to investing in schools, infrastructure, housing, and community spaces, these accomplishments reflect a proven record of putting Wharton first. Together, they have helped create a stronger, more vibrant community while laying a solid foundation for the future.
Protecting Taxpayers Through Responsible Financial Management:
Wharton Borough has maintained a strong financial position while continuing to invest in the services, facilities, and improvements residents rely on. The Borough is debt-free and operates with a budget of $13,626,775. At the same time, it has established a $1 million capital emergency reserve, providing an important financial safeguard for unexpected needs and future capital expenses.
The Borough’s tax rate is 10.24% lower than it was in 2024, and the current budget is 1.2 tax points lower than the previous year. Wharton’s municipal property tax also remains 16% below the statewide average. Together, these accomplishments demonstrate a commitment to careful budgeting, long-term financial stability, and protecting local taxpayers while continuing to move the community forward.
Key Accomplishments:
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Maintained Wharton’s debt-free status
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Managed a Borough budget of $13,626,775
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Established a $1 million capital emergency reserve
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Reduced the tax rate by 10.24% compared with 2024
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Lowered the Borough budget by 1.2 tax points from the previous year
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Kept Wharton’s municipal property tax 16% below the New Jersey average
Standing With Wharton’s Business Community:
When local businesses faced significant financial challenges, the Borough took an active leadership role in bringing assistance directly to the community. The Borough coordinated a business-relief program involving federal, state, and county leaders, creating opportunities for local business owners to learn about and access available financial resources.
Wharton did not limit these efforts to the Borough alone. It spearheaded meetings and hosted programs that also served surrounding communities, helping connect businesses throughout the area with critical relief opportunities. As a result of these coordinated efforts, businesses received more than $2 million in Small Business Administration loans. Individual businesses were also able to receive up to $15,000 through New Jersey Economic Development Authority grants.
Key accomplishments:
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Coordinated business-relief efforts with federal, state, and county leaders
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Spearheaded meetings to connect businesses with available assistance
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Hosted relief programs for Wharton and surrounding municipalities
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Helped businesses access more than $2 million in SBA loans
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Connected individual businesses with EDA grants of up to $15,000 each
Supporting Students, Educators, and Local Families:
Regardless of how municipal revenue is generated, the Borough is legally required to provide the full amount of the approved school levy. Over the past 20 years, the borough has gone substantially beyond its mandatory financial contribution by providing more than $11 million in additional in-kind municipal services and support.
This assistance includes extending and redesigning a Borough-owned parking area for school use. The Borough also plows and maintains the parking lot behind the school at no charge. Additional services—including salt, garbage collection, sewer, water, and other municipal support—are provided without cost to the school district.
The Borough also contributes toward crossing guards and the School Resource Officer, helping support student safety in and around local schools. These services reduce costs for the school district while ensuring that important operational and safety needs are met.
Key accomplishments:
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Provides 100% of the school budget required of the Borough
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Contributed more than $11 million in additional in-kind services over 20 years
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Extended and redesigned a Borough-owned parking area for school use
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Plows and maintains the parking lot behind the school at no charge
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Provides salt, garbage collection, sewer, water, and other municipal services without charge
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Contributes toward school crossing guards
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Helps support the School Resource Officer program
Planning Responsibly and Protecting Wharton’s Future:
The Borough has used innovative development strategies, including Payment in Lieu of Taxes—or PILOT—agreements, to generate revenue that can help fund important capital projects. This approach allows the Borough to pursue development opportunities that provide financial and community benefits while planning responsibly for Wharton’s long-term needs.
The Borough’s housing strategy includes a mix of 100 affordable housing units, veterans housing, and age-restricted housing. This balanced approach addresses several community needs by expanding housing opportunities for families, supporting veterans, and providing options for older residents.
These actions have also helped Wharton meet its affordable-housing obligations and protect the Borough from builder’s remedy lawsuits. A builder’s remedy lawsuit is a legal action that may be brought when a municipality is alleged to have failed to satisfy its state-mandated affordable-housing responsibilities. By planning proactively, Wharton has worked to maintain greater control over local development decisions while reducing the Borough’s legal and financial exposure.
Key accomplishments:
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Utilized innovative PILOT agreements to help fund capital projects
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Planned for a mix of 100 affordable housing units
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Included housing opportunities specifically intended for veterans
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Expanded age-restricted housing options for older residents
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Took action to satisfy state affordable-housing obligations
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Helped protect Wharton from builder’s remedy lawsuits
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Preserved greater local control over the Borough’s future development
Improving Parking, Public Spaces, and the Wharton Library
The Borough has continued investing in practical improvements that make the Borough more accessible and convenient for residents, businesses, and visitors. These projects include the creation of new public parking and updates to parking regulations designed to support the downtown area.
A new parking lot on Pine Street added 67 spaces, while a new Main Street lot added another 35 spaces. The Borough also implemented two-hour parking on Main Street and established parking on one side of the street to improve access, organization, and traffic flow.
Improvements were made to the Borough library without taking on additional debt. The work included installing solar-powered tables on a new brick patio, expanding patron parking, replacing windows and the roof, constructing new bathrooms, and repainting the building. These improvements have made the library more functional, welcoming, and accessible while protecting taxpayers from new borrowing.
Parking improvements:
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Added 67 parking spaces on Pine Street
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Added 35 parking spaces on Main Street
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Established two-hour parking on Main Street
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Implemented parking on one side of Main Street to improve organization and access
Library improvements completed without incurring debt:
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Installed solar tables on a new brick patio
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Expanded the number of parking spaces available to library patrons
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Installed new windows
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Replaced the library roof
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Added new bathrooms
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Repainted and refreshed the building