Thursday May 13 was our regularly scheduled Township Committee meeting. Since the school budget was on the agenda, a change of venue took place- the meeting was held ad the Faith Chapel Wesleyan Church on 43 Lower Landsdown Road. There were perhaps 40-50 people in attendance.
The following Township Committee actions were taken:
1. Adopted meeting minutes (including executive session) for April 22 and April 29, 2010.
2. We approved the Tax Collector's April report for receipts and disbursements: we received $927,746 in taxes, which also include $38,969 in taxes from 2009.
3. We "paid the bills" by approving the check control register for dates 4/22/2010 to 5/13/2010. Big buck items included the 4/23 municipal payroll ($49,714), transfer the tax levy for the county, library, and county open space (total $523,085), transfer the tax levy for the township board of education ($822,374), and transfer the tax levy for the regional high school tax ($546,372).
4. We conducted the school budget hearing. Since the school budget vote, all committee members were very busy meeting / phone calls / emails with the Board of Education, school staff, and residents ; while all of this was taking place the accounting firm Ardito & Co. of Frenchtown examined the budget and identified potential budget reductions and revenue increases. The accountant recommended the following:
a) Increase by $120,000 surplus utilized as revenue. The district anticipates a $100,000 in free fund balance as of 6/30/11, also the district has $20,000 in food service surplus.
b) Transfer $72,248 in interest earnings from the capital projects fund to the debt service fund and use the funds as anticipated revenue in the 2010-2011 debt service budget.
c) Additional appropriation reductions totaling $206,266, including the reduction of 2 full time employees making $70,000 each, and 1 full time employee making $28,069.
The Committee agreed with the accountant’s recommendations and reduced the budget levy from $5,862,688 to $5,464,174 which results in a 2010 school tax increase by $25.65 for every $100,000 of assessed valuation- approximately a $100 increase for a property assessed at $400,000. The proposed school tax increase went from $213.59 additional tax for the average assessed value ($433,500) to $119.19 additional tax- a 55% decrease.
Personal commentary: I came to an initial conclusion that the budget should not be increased at all; I put pen to paper and was initially able to come up with $178,000 in reductions- and that included the 4.3% cut in teacher salaries. The accountant who reviewed the budget earned his $3,000 and provided us with a clear, concise report on how we can reduce the budget using accounting techniques, and by implementing reductions that would have the least impact on the students. I am disappointed that the teachers union did not agree to renegotiate raises or contract but that shoe is yet to drop- next year is a contract year and our fiscal issues may be settled now for 2010-2011 but they are far from over. The school and the committee will have to work together in years to come to explore ways to save money and increase revenue. As always, I welcome your comments.
5. Our Police Director gave his report for April 2010. Ten adult arrests were made, 122 motor vehicle summonses were made, 142 motor vehicle warnings were given.
6. Our DPW Supervisor gave his report for April 2010. Highlights include various DPW and Police vehicle service and repairs, road repairs, and equipment service and repair.
7. Mayor Jacukowicz and I gave our report for Planning, Zoning, and Construction Subcommittee: 6 zoning applications for April, zoning violation letter 4/22 for accessory structure built without a permit (Block 36, Lot 37), zoning violation letter 4/22 for outdoor storage violation (Block 36, Lot 30). Both of these violation letters are public record and are viewable at the Municipal Building.
8. Township Committee approved a resolution certifying the tax levy for the North Hunterdon- Voorhees Regional High School District representing a tax levy reduction of $406,000.
9. Township Committee approved a resolution authorizing the contract for professional services of Ardito and Co., LLP (school budget accountant) for an amount not to exceed $3,000 based upon an hourly rate of $165.00
10. Township Committee acted in the capacity of the Board of Health at which time we heard and approved a series of septic waiver requests for Block 30, Lot 4.
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On May 11 Tim Wahba filed a Notice of Appeal to the Superior Court in Flemington- within the allotted legal time frame for appeal.
Don't forget: May 27 is the public hearing for the municipal budget.
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