:Lakewood Yeshivos and Shuls to Lose Municipal Trash Collection January 1

Lakewood will end municipal garbage collection for private schools and houses of worship effective January 1, 2027, forcing yeshivos, Bais Yaakov schools, shuls and other institutions to arrange and pay for private trash removal. The move is expected to save the township approximately $2 million annually and is reportedly required by the state as a condition for financial assistance amid Lakewood’s budget crisis. The added expense will fall on institutions already facing tight budgets, potentially leading to higher costs for parents and donors. Matzav reports according to information obtained from the township, the elimination of garbage collection for private educational and religious institutions is not a voluntary policy change, but rather a condition imposed by state officials in connection with financial assistance intended to stabilize Lakewood’s finances.

The Lakewood Township Committee stated that “the change is being required by the state as a condition for the Township to receive financial assistance to help stabilize its budget. As a result, Township officials have little choice but to implement the policy.”

Lakewood residents have already been hit with property tax increases of as much as $2,000 for homeowners, while courtesy busing has been eliminated. Now, yeshivos and shuls are losing municipal garbage collection, shifting yet another expense onto already strained institutions and families.

This raises serious questions: Where is all the money going? With so many new homes added to the tax rolls, why hasn't the township done more to control spending and prepare for rising costs?

Officials have pointed to an expensive winter, including millions in snow removal costs. But residents can reasonably ask whether one costly winter in more than a decade should be enough to explain the township's broader budget problems.

Tax abatements are another concern, potentially keeping properties from contributing their full share to the tax base. Residents deserve a transparent accounting of municipal spending, the impact of tax abatements, and what steps have been taken to reduce costs before shifting more of the burden onto homeowners, parents, schools and shuls. With the Township Committee election underway, the incumbents seeking reelection have yet to provide clear answers, instead pointing fingers at everyone else.

With the Township Committee election underway, the incumbents seeking reelection have yet to provide clear answers, instead pointing fingers at everyone else.