Budget Amendments Planned at Monday's Meeting

The township council is planning a public hearing Monday on its municipal budget that includes a 0 percent tax hike for 2013.

The budget, as introduced in February, is .

The meeting will also include some budget amendments, which will be announced and discussed at the meeting.

As proposed, residents will pay a municipal tax of $1,053 for a home assessed at the average value of $411,662. This is the same amount residents paid in 2012.

The 2013 budget includes a few extra appropriations, including $195,000 for current litigation that is not expected to be included in future budgets, as well as appropriations of funding to replace police cars damaged during Hurricane Irene. The latter is being paid for over five years, and the township is in year two, appropriating $26,400 this year.

The budget also includes state aid of $5,904,261, the same as the township received in 2012.

With the budget as it stands now, it includes $147,200 budgeted for costs associated with cleanup from Superstorm Sandy. The township is planning to apply to FEMA for reimbursement of 75 percent of the costs associated, and the governor has mandated that municipalities can finance these storm-related costs over a five-year period, which the township is planning to do.

In terms of pensions and health benefits, recent changes to the laws are requiring pension contributions from the township to increase by $95,680, and health benefit contributions from employees will be set at $300,000, offsetting any increases in premiums this year.

Copies of the budget are available for viewing at the Bridgewater Township Library and at the municipal building.

The meeting, with public hearing, will be held at 7:30 p.m. in the municipal building on Commons Way.