Township Officials Relieved To Hear Aid Figures

For Warren Township Administrator Mark Krane, the good news in Tuesday's budget address by Gov. Chris  Christie was learning municipal aid would be unchanged.

"I listened to the speech," he said. "The good news for Warren is there is no reduction in state aid."

The township is slated to receive $1,321,130 in energy tax receipts distribution in the state's 2011 budget, the same amount received last year except for a $52 distribution from the Garden State Trust, a payment made for preserved land.

Speaking last week during the Township Committee meeting, Deputy Mayor Carolann Garafola said the township's proposed 2011 budget is within the 2 percent increase currently allowed but additional information was not available. Any reduction in the state aid would have complicated the budgeting.

Krane noted the information more critical for the township won't be known for a while, since the township seeks to use grants to fund many projects. He said the Transportation Trust Fund applications for road project grants, for example, are made in July and August; the township's success in receiving these grants is an important factor in planning.

The municipal budget will be discussed further at the committee's next meeting, at 7:30 a.m. March 3.