November 2025 Newsletter

Happy Holiday Season! I was fully prepared to write a breezy little piece about “You-Sizing,” but that will have to wait until next month. We need to talk about Montclair’s schools and the upcoming December 9th referendum. Don’t worry—there’s still plenty of good stuff ahead: a roundup of holiday happenings, a few local organizations worthy of your seasonal generosity, and a quick update on my surprisingly thrilling insulation project.

School Daze

The State Of Montclair Schools

I’ve been getting a lot of calls about Montclair’s $19.6M school-system deficit and what it may mean for both housing prices and school quality. The truth is, anything at this stage would be speculation — the situation is still evolving, and we won’t have real clarity until the town-wide vote.

What I can say is this: both of my children and my nephew had an outstanding experience at Montclair High School and went on to highly competitive universities. Many of my clients’ and friends’ children have done the same — attending schools like Northwestern, Williams, Wesleyan, Harvard, Caltech, Michigan, and Cornell. Montclair has a long history of adapting, and once the district finalizes and implements its financial plan, I fully expect the schools to continue delivering strong outcomes while moving toward long-term stability.

This isn’t the first time Montclair has faced a budget shortfall. About a decade ago, residents approved a tax increase to fund the schools. Ideally, the district and Board of Education would have used that moment to build stronger safeguards — but here we are again.

It’s important to note that Superintendent Ruth Turner began her role in July 2025, and it was under her leadership that the deficit was brought to light. Since then, she has held multiple town halls and opened BOE meetings to the public (previously, these were closed). The Board has launched a full financial review, hired a new auditing firm, and implemented new checks and balances to ensure no single person controls expenditures. All former business-administration staff have since departed. And for the first time, the BOE now has meaningful oversight of DOE spending.

On December 9, residents will have the opportunity to decide how we address the deficit. There will be two referendums:

1. A one-time tax increase to raise $12.6M to close the 2024–25 shortfall.

2. A permanent tax increase to cover the projected $7.6M shortfall for 2025–26, plus funding for an updated accounting system and a forensic audit.

Montclair is seeing an influx of accomplished, highly engaged new residents who have invested significantly in their homes — and are now carrying the tax bills that come with them. Whatever their vote, my hope is that this new cohort becomes a more active and influential force in local politics. And not a moment too soon: our last mayoral election saw only about 25% turnout.

This is a town with a long history of problem-solving. Decades ago, Montclair addressed student inequity by creating the magnet school system, a model adopted by many other towns. I believe that same spirit of innovation and civic commitment will guide us through this moment — helping the district stabilize its finances while keeping our schools strong.

The Montclair Local has had excellent coverage of the issue. Below are several helpful links to understand the situation more fully:

Super Intendent Ruth Turner's Presentation

Montclair Local Q&A

BOE Q&A

YES & YES Advocacy Group

Montclair Local's Tax Hike Calculator

Local Happenings

November 13–15 | Start 5:30 PM

Montclair

Montclair Comedy Festival

Three days of stand-up, improv, and general hilarity as Montclair’s comedy scene officially takes the mic. From local legends to rising stars, it’s punchlines, pints, and plenty of reasons to laugh before the holidays hit.

Saturday Nov 15 10:30–5:30

Sunday Nov 16 9:30–3:00

Montclair

Van Vleck House Holiday Boutique

The first floor of this historic home transforms into a festive boutique filled with gifts, décor, and one-of-a-kind finds. Free, charming, and the perfect excuse to start your holiday shopping early.

Saturday November 15 7:30 PM

Montclair

The Bach/Beethoven Experience

Two masters, two masses. Bask in the harmonies of Bach’s Mass in A Major and Beethoven’s Mass in C Major, performed inside Montclair’s acoustically rich Union Congregational Church. A night of grandeur and grace—music that fills both the space and the soul. Tickets $30 adv/$35 door ·

Saturday, November 22 | 5K 10 AM · Kids Fun Run 11 AM

South Mountain Reservation, South Orange

Two Towns

Turkey Trot

Burn off a little gravy in advance. This festive 5K winds through the South Mountain Reservation, bringing Maplewood + South Orange neighbors together for a morning of movement and mischief. Expect turkey hats, stroller sprints, and plenty of good cheer.

Saturday November 22

Van Vleck House, Montclair

Deck The Halls

Van Vleck House & Gardens, 21 Van Vleck St, MontclairCocktails, hors d’oeuvres, and holiday sparkle in one of Montclair’s most magical settings. The historic Van Vleck House gets dressed up for a festive evening of community, giving, and good cheer. If you cannot make that, take the kids to see Santa on Dec 5 & 7

Saturday December 6

(Tree Lighting 4:30 PM

Verona

Fair in the Square

Verona’s town square turns into a snow-globe of small-town holiday magic—local artisans, food vendors, live music, and plenty of cheer. Shop, snack, sing along, and stick around for Santa’s tree-lighting finale.

Friday, December 6

Montclair Art Museum

Art on Tap

Art, music, and a very good drink in hand. Sip craft ciders and local brews from Amanti Vino and Ironbound Farms, snack on gastropub bites, and bid on contemporary works while WFUV spins the soundtrack. Dress up, dance a little, and toast to creativity.

First three Saturdays in December, starting Dec 6

Maplewood

Dickens Village

Tiny houses. Big nostalgia. Maplewood’s beloved Dickens Village turns Ricalton Square into a storybook scene straight out of A Christmas Carol—Santa, carols, twinkle lights, and that perfect pre-holiday buzz before the season goes full tilt. Free, family-friendly, and irresistibly charming. Dont miss the tree lighting on December 6 at 4.30PM

Update on my Insulation Project

We’re still waiting on our first utility bill to compare this year’s energy use to last year’s, but I can report that the house already feels noticeably warmer. Our 1910 home never had modern insulation. Over the years we’ve added it during renovations—bathrooms, kitchen, and soon the library—but the attic was still a major weak spot.

Before this project, heat would rise, drift out through the attic, and cold drafts would creep back in. The furnace would cycle constantly trying to maintain a steady temperature. It was inefficient, uncomfortable, and honestly a little maddening.

Enter John Gill from Home Experts. His assessment was thorough and incredibly informative, and with the PSEG program grants, moving forward felt like a no-brainer.

The job took just two days. They installed a new attic ladder, built catwalks, and added comprehensive insulation—loose fill instead of batting. (I never thought I’d prefer loose fill until I saw the performance difference.) The house now holds warmth longer, feels far less drafty, and the furnace finally gets a break.

Hard data coming later this winter—but the comfort upgrade is already real.

Looking to give back this season?

Here are four local organizations where your generosity goes straight to the people who need it most — whether you’re donating a can, a coat, a check, or an hour of your time.

Human Needs Food Pantry – Montclair

Human Needs Food Pantry

Non-perishables, fresh produce, even pet food — they take it all. Tuesdays and Thursdays are drop-off days; every can, coat, and bag helps a neighbor stay warm and well-fed. 👉 humanneedsfoodpantry.org

MEND NJ (Meeting Essential Needs with Dignity)

A powerhouse network feeding 40+ pantries across Essex County. Donate funds, food, or time — they’ll make sure it lands where it’s needed most. 👉 mendnj.org

St. John’s Soup Kitchen – Newark

Forty years of serving hot meals and humanity, no questions asked. Always grateful for volunteers and donations — the kind of place where “community” means everyone. 👉 njsk.org

Community FoodBank of New Jersey – Hillside

The state’s largest anti-hunger organization, distributing to hundreds of local partners (including Montclair favorites). Great for larger drives, family volunteering, or corporate collections. 👉 cfbnj.org

Tips for Increasing Your Home's Value

The road to selling a home can be a long one. Learn to how to increase the value of your home—based on your budget.

Courtesy of HGTV

New Home Design Principles for Older Adults

The changes that impact many of our bodies and lives as we grow into our “golden years” also impact how we live in our homes.

Courtesy of Forbes

Featured Sold Listings

Verona North Side

SOLD

30 Hillcrest Terrace

5 BD 3 BA 0 SF $852,000

Thanks for reading and subscribing! Ready to achieve your next real estate goal?

Meredith Bergmann

Lic. Sales Assoc.

Principal Agent

M: 917.355.4074

O: 973.310.7360

[email protected]