Committee Wants More 'Whittling' On Budget

The Township Committee wants more "whittled" from the proposed 2011 budget, as Deputy Mayor Carolann Garafola put it, with the preliminary budget discussed at today's 7:30 a.m. meeting currently $400,000 below the state-set 2 percent cap.

Without further changes, the budget would add about $50 to the property tax bills of the average property owner in town, however, the members weren't satisfied with that.

"If it's doable to bring it down even more, Mark (Krane, township administrator), I think your charge is to look at that," Garafola said. "Vic (Sordillo) and I are in agreement that if you could bring it down a little to chip away."

During the discussions of the state of the township budget, the members noted the plans for 2011 currently include replacing three police cars (the first replacements in two years following a department request for four replacements), a Chevy Tahoe for the police commenders, and provide nearly $500,000 for road improvements.

"That's the biggest complaint I hear from around town," Mayor Gary DiNardo said, adding the use of state-mandated materials isn't lasting as long officials would like.

Krane noted the township saved about $119,000 last year on road projects, thanks to lower costs for materials, which is in the township capital funds and will be used in this year's plans.

Another area of conern and discussion focused on the township's costs for employee benefits, with the health insurance costs to the township rising by 14 percent.

But Krane noted legislation under consideration in Trenton would effectively drive down the township's share of those costs within five years, adding plans offered by both Gov. Chris Christie and bi-partisan supported bill in the assembly would bring considerable savings.

The proposed budget also includes funding for improvements for the barn at the Wagner Farm, construction of storage building at the Department of Public Works site, and the purchase of mowing and maintenance equipment.

The committee members suggested several potential areas of savings, such as ending the police practice of leaving cars running while at traffic stops or when getting coffee, as well as a review of the number of fire hydrants in town to see if reductions are possible (the township must pay a fee to water companies for each hydrant).

Committee Mal Plager also suggested reviewing the possibility of replacing the township's older gas-guzzling vehicles with more efficient electric vehicles, if grants or funding is available.

Krane noted the current budget totals $12,800,000, with the cap set at $13,130,000. The capped amount does not include increases in the budget for capital projects, benefit costs and other areas.

Krane said he would give the committee an update on any changes made to the budget at the next meeting, scheduled for 7:30 p.m March 17.