The big news of the week is that the school budget was defeated. Here is a link to all of the results in Hunterdon County:
http://www.nj.com/news/local/index.ssf/2010/04/hunterdon_county_school_board_2.html
For those too lazy to link:
FRANKLIN : THREE 3-YEAR TERMS
√ James J. Foran 470 √ Kimberly V. Lundgren 449 √ Robert J. Masino 415
ONE 2-YEAR UNEXPIRED TERM
No candidates filed (I believe Colleen Ewing won this seat)
SCHOOL BUDGET: Yes 249 √ No 480
PROPOSED TAX LEVY INCREASE: 5.5 percent; $213 for a home assessed at $433,500
PROPOSED STAFF CUTS: 2 positions
In the case of a defeated budget the Board of Education submits their spending plan to the Township Committee for review; unless the Board appeals our decision the school district must reduce spending by the amount recommended by the Committee. The Committee can make suggestions about which programs or personnel should be adjusted, but the Board can make their own decision about what to adjust, as long as the same amount of money is saved.
While I will scrutinize each line item to identify specific budget cuts, I will be sensitive to the obligation to provide a thorough education for all school age children. I also encourage our school union leadership to discuss the possibility of opening contracts for changes that could lead to budget savings and possible state aid increases. I want to hear what Franklin taxpayers have to say about the school budget situation: use this blog to comment, or email me at scottsbauman@gmail.com.
The first public meeting between the Board of Education and the Township Committee is scheduled for May 4 at 7:30 PM in the municipal building. If you care about a $5,205,628 school budget and you want to be heard by your elected officials, you may wish to Tivo the baseball game / ice hockey playoffs and mosey on down to the municipal building.
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On Tuesday April 20 Mayor Jacukowicz and I met with our Finance Director to go over the municipal budget and salary ordinance. The municipal budget represents a zero tax increase from last year while keeping an adequate amount of surplus that keeps our auditor comfortable. The budget was formally announced on April 22 and it is scheduled for the public hearing and hopeful adoption on May 27. The budget is now available for public consumption and comment; contact the Township Clerk to review the document; it will also be published in the Hunterdon Democrat.
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Thursday April 22 was our Committee work session meeting. Prior to the work session we held executive session to discuss an ongoing personnel matter; that matter was carried to another executive session that will be held on April 29, 7:30 PM:
http://www.franklin-twp.org/TC-agendas-minutes/2010/TC_agenda042910.pdf
Our work session consisted of the following:
1. Approved regular meeting and executive session meeting minutes from 3/22, 4/1, and 4/8.
2. A few members of the public commented on the defeated school budget.
3. We approved the check register: aka we paid the bills. Of note included $1,654.25 for disposing the items received from the March household cleanup, $2,557.49 in snowplow parts, $800.00 to Hunterdon County for health inspections, and $1,160.99 for ammunition for the Police Department.
4. As previously mentioned we introduced our municipal budget for FY 2011
5. Ordinance 2010-02 proposing to amend Ch. 75 of our code "Police Department" is scheduled for May 13.
6. Police Director / OEM Coordinator Ken Mandoli reported that the Hamden Road work is complete and the "state of emergency" can be lifted.
7. Public Works: The Committee approved the lowest bid of $12.255.00 for the construction of a new 30' x 36'Pioneer Pole building to replace the building decimated by one of recent storms. We collected about $6,000 from the insurance company for the destroyed building- that helped sooth some of the $12,000 plus sting. The new building will be at Locust Grove and should be constructed soon.. so go check out your new building!
8. Building Department: Our Construction Official reported that between January and March 2010 he issued 57 permits and collected $13,807.00. This is an increase from last Jan-March 2009 when he issued 40 permits and collected $9,809.00.
9. Land Use: Mayor Jacukowicz and myself updated the Committee on the recent work session held by the Land Use Board. Ordinance 2010-03 amending Land Use, Subdivision & Site Plan, and Surface Water Management is still tabled pending attorney review. I informed the Committee on the need to authorize our Township Engineer to meet with the DEP about Rogers Pond. Rogers Pond is owned by the Township and contains a dam; the DEP is beginning to crack down on enforcing rules concerning dam maintenance so our Engineer felt it was important for him to meet with the DEP so as to avoid future situations where we will be fined for maintenance issues. As soon as I hear more you will too.
10. Committeeman McGeary and I will be working on getting the word of the septic maintenance ordinance out to the residents. Expect an easy to fill out application in your July tax bill as well as information in the upcoming township newsletter.
11. We approved 2 raffle applications for the township school... both are scheduled for June 17- one is a tricky tray, and the other is for a fire truck ride to school. How cool is that?
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Another busy week in the life of a Township Committeeman.. and another week informing the residents what I am up to. Until next Sunday.....
Scott
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