Spending up in Cranbury

[news]

Spending up in Cranbury
Committee introduces municipal budget

Friday, February 29, 2008 2:16 PM EST
By Maria Prato-Gaines, Staff Writer

CRANBURY — The Township Committee introduced a $12.4 million budget Monday that could increase municipal taxes 8.6 percent.

The budget, which is 1.4 percent larger than last year’s spending plan, includes the hiring of two new police officers and increases in pension costs and funding for the public library and affordable housing.

Revenue has decreased in the budget, primarily due to a reduction in the amount of reimbursement the township will receive from various sources for previous farmland preservation.

If the budget is approved, the municipal tax rate will increase from 35 cents per $100 of assessed valuation to 37.2 cents. Under the proposed rate, the owner of a house assessed at $668,000 would pay $2,485 in municipal taxes.

The committee will hold a public hearing on the budget on March 24.

The budget increases municipal salary and wages by $212,158 to $3.16 million and operating expenses by $435,113 to $4.96 million.

According to the budget, the biggest increases were in pension costs, up about $135,150 to $293,845, funding for the library, up $78,033 to $610,328, and affordable housing, up $61,380 to $124,050.

The township is increasing the amount paid toward deferred charges by $164,000 to $597,560, much of which go toward paying off the 2006 tax revaluation.

”When we did the tax revaluation, it needs to be paid down over a five-year period,” said Denise Marabella, township chief finance officer. “It’s one-fifth of the payment we have to make.”
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http://www.packetonline.com/articles/2008/02/29/cranbury_press/news/doc47c839f57a6a2539239077.prt

[Guest]

More property tax increase; more bad news for residents trying to sell their house...

[Jeff M.]

Seems to me and I don't have a line by line budget that the operating expense increase of 435K is really high and I wonder what that details. That is a 9.6% increase. Seems to me that there could be cost reductions in that area.

I'd like to see what that means for the average home owner increase in terms of cost change- $100 a year $200 a year.

This 8.6% increase comes after we have already increased the budget last year by 17%.

[Guest]

Aren't there state-mandated caps on property tax revenue?

[tax$$]

I paid about $2,000 more in property tax for 2007 than in 2006. And the township still needs more money this year.

TC candidates talked about reducing spending before election. Now, election is over, you don't hear them talk about that any more. Instead, they blame it on

[Jeff M.]

I'm sure the TC is working hard and are doing what they feel is best, but in my opinion the only way things change is when we have new people. Mr. Wittman seems to be sensible opposing the ball park and other costs. Hopefully, in the 2009 election we will have new people on the committee. And yes, I am planning to run especially if taxes keep going up.

In terms of the cap, it is a 4% cap so I am not sure how this is in accordance with state law, but there is likely some loop hole. The other question I have is whether this budget fatcors in Corzine's cut in aid, which I don't believe it does given the timing.

[Guest]

Why did we need to add 2 more police officers. Obviously safety is important, but I never felt unsafe last earlier without these cops. Does anyone know what the rationale was?

[Jeff M.]

Not sure. I will say that I trust our police chief since he's career Cranbury and a resident. I'd rather err on the side of safety. Same with fire and Rescue Squad. So if he's requested the two additional officers then I support the need. The general operating expenses to me are the bigger concern since they represent a massive increase on top of an already large budget item.

[Guest]

There is a difference between wanting and needing things. Each and every big budget item should be considered this way before committing tax dollars to it.

[Guest]

Is everyone crazy? What do we need one police officer for every 10 people. Wait till they retire if you think the pension obligation is high now. Those who enjoy benefits for being public employees are doing quite well.

[Guest]

Is everyone crazy? What do we need one police officer for every 10 people. Wait till they retire if you think the pension obligation is high now. Those who enjoy benefits for being public employees are doing quite well.

Couldn't agree more with this comment. I guess we need the extra 2 police officers so they can switch up who gets to sit on Plainsboro Rd in the white charger waiting for speeders. Or maybe we need them to be "crossing guards" at the school. I don't understand why there is an actual crossing guard at the school and also a police officer. Also another one for Plainsboro Rd, and then the chief of police who sits in his car by the lake when school gets out for the day.

[guest2]

All the belly aching in this forum is useless...unless we all make the time to show up at the TC meetings and voice our opinions.....

I want to also know why we never see a public "police blotter" as in other towns - what exactly is our illustrious police up to? The report is always given to the mayor behind closed doors...since WE are paying the salaries and benefits, we should also hear how our money is being spent!

I agree that we should hire crossing guards at $10/hr instead of $45K/year cops. Are we really such a crime-ridden town that we need policemen with guns to help our kids to cross the street?

More tax increases will only serve to drive more and more people out of town..pretty soon only the TC will be left...

Truly a shame...I used to really like this town....but now have my eye on other ones...

Would be great if members of the TC would reply to these forums....

[Guest]

Ihave to agree . We should only need a police officer at the school entrance but of course the $45,000. per year pay was about 20 years ago when they were given big pensions because the pay was low. Yes I know they also contribute to there pensions. Use to know the numbers but found it to upsetting so I try to forget. Sure there are alot of people in the private sector who would love to get 4 or 5% increases every year. I have also seen the chief parked next to the lake. I guess he is making sure all the illegal parkers don't get tickets. One last question why do we only have bike patrol on nice warm days when all the rest of us would love to be riding our bike even if we were not getting paid. What a nice benny.

[Guest]

With the recent robberies and arrest for assault of a police office and drug possession and the like in Cranbury, it is probably a good idea to keep our police force in top shape. Incidentally the Cranbury Police not only patrol our town, but are responsible for the township which has grown in recent years to encompass a large amount of corporate real estate - which would mandate a force of decent size to patrol.

[Guest]

Where are you finding info about recent robberies?

[robberies]

There was a rumor posted here about a robbery in the Evans Tract area.

I believe the police chief will provide a brief report at the TC meeting on March 24.