Public Hearing to be Held on 0% Increase Budget

The township council will be holding a public hearing Monday for its 2013 municipal budget with an expected vote to follow.

, an increase of 1.26 percent over the 2012 budget of $38,451,229.13.

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 meeting will also include a public hearing on several amendments introduced, mostly for housekeeping work based on vehicle damages sustained during Superstorm Sandy, as well as grants received.

The most recent discussion on the budget concerned overtime costs for both the police department and public works.

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 over five years, and the township is in year two, appropriating $26,400 this year.

The township is also receiving flat state aid of $5,904,261.

The budget 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.

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

What do you think of the proposed budget? Are you pleased with the 0 percent tax increase?