Stahl continues stand against municipal tab
Despite tax increase, Neary says budget maintains status quo
BY VINCENT TODARO
Staff Writer

EAST BRUNSWICK - Township officials are anxiously awaiting word from the state regarding aid for the 2007 municipal budget.

On Monday, the Township Council amended the $62 million budget to include certain expenditures in the state-imposed cap and to correct a mathematical error, Mayor William Neary said.

The township, which is facing a potential 16-cent tax rate increase in this year's municipal budget, has asked for $800,000 in state extraordinary aid to reduce that tax hike. Officials expect to find out this month whether the state will award all or some of the aid requested by the town. If the full amount is awarded, the municipal tax rate increase would be reduced by 4 cents, meaning residents would face a 12-cent hike, or an increase of $120 per $100,000 of assessed valuation on a home.

"I'd be shocked if we did [get the full amount of aid]," Councilman David Stahl said.

Stahl voted against the budget's introduction in April and has opposed all temporary appropriations and amendments this year. He has taken issue with the way the municipal budget has been handled and feels the council should have been asked for input in late 2006 or early 2007, before much of the year's spending began.

"If you really want input, don't ask for it six months into the year," Stahl said. He said the township administration has effectively limited the council's power in the budget process. The council cannot cut something that has already been purchased or funded, he said.

Stahl said he would have to look at the budget again to determine what items he would have considered cutting had the council been given the chance.

Neary said the criticism is uncalled for because the township did nothing different in this budget than in previous years, and the council members could have made recommendations at the end of 2006.

"I don't see any issue with lateness," he said.

Stahl said he believes the township needs to evaluate its workforce and possibly consolidate positions. Neary consolidated positions when he became mayor 10 years ago, but Stahl feels that more could be done.

He said an underlying fear is what will happen to the budget in 2011 when the township stops receiving payments from Toll Brothers, which purchased the Golden Triangle from the township and is currently paying the town $4.5 million per year. Stahl said the town could face a major revenue shortfall when the payments stop, which is one reason he opposed this year's $3.3 million capital budget.

He also said he cannot support a 16-cent tax rate increase, which would bring the municipal tax rate from $1.25 to $1.41 per $100 of assessed valuation.

The budget is up $2.1 million, or 3.5 percent, from last year, which Neary has attributed to expensive state mandates and contractual obligations. He said necessary services have increased in costs. He named pension contributions, library costs, gasoline and street lighting as examples of expenses that are on the rise.

Also, Neary said, there has been a decrease in the assessed value of real estate in town because several businesses had their assessments lowered through tax appeals.

Neary said the budget was scrutinized and trimmed throughout the entire budgetary process, and that it "maintains the status quo and in many areas is reduced."