Mayor Voices Support For Church Lawsuit In Long Valley

LONG VALLEY, NJ — In response to a local church's legal action against Morris County, Long Valley Mayor Matt Murello recently spoke out, expressing his support for the church and its legal efforts.

On April 28, two churches in Morris County, including Zion Lutheran Church, filed a lawsuit against the county, alleging that they were denied tax dollars intended for the preservation of their historic structures.

The lawsuit claims that Zion Lutheran Church should be eligible for the Historic Preservation Trust Fund, which is supported by a county property tax, because the building has historic value.

In a statement, Murello said that he is in full support of the Zion Church in their legal efforts and that he hopes that the lawsuit, along with the legislative efforts bring change to the policy.

Following the filing of the lawsuit, Senator Anthony M. Bucco urged the New Jersey Legislature to consider his resolution allowing public funds to be used for church historic preservation.

Bucco's bill was first introduced shortly after the New Jersey Supreme Court ruled in 2018 that taxpayer funds could not be used for church repair projects that support religious activities, even if the repairs were for historic preservation purposes.

At the time, Morris County had awarded grants totaling $4.6 million to twelve churches for the repair of slate roofs, building towers, and stained glass windows with religious imagery through its taxpayer-funded historic preservation trust fund.

"I hope that this lawsuit, along with the legislative efforts by our Senator in Trenton, will allow for churches and religious organizations with historical significance to again receive Historic Preservation Trust Fund money, which they were previously allowed to be eligible for funding up until 2017," Murello said.

The Historic Preservation Trust Fund, which was created in 2003, distributes funds to qualified organizations for the repair, restoration and preservation of historic local buildings and resources.

According to the lawsuit, Zion Lutheran Church is currently in need of assistance in order to preserve the structural and historical integrity of its church building.

"Without funding to perform necessary upkeep on the building, this 190-year-old historic building is at risk of falling into disrepair," the lawsuit states.