Checks and balances?

[Guest]

I am new here. Does Cranbury have a checks-and-balances system in governing the township?

[Guest]

[??]

Are you telling me once TC election is over there is no way for the residents to influence the behavior of the mayor and members of the TC?

[Guest]

That's correct, besides voicing your opinion at a TC meeting - NO, huge expenditures are sent to a vote by our taxpayers.

[??]

[Guest]

I've lived here 10 years and I'm still learning the in and outs in our town's current processes. I use to trust the TC and felt I didn't have to worry where the money is being spent. However, due to recent financial undertakings, I am very concerned about the future of our town.

It's A great point about checks and balances - The school did their "due diligence" by requesting an extra 1 million by putting it to a vote to the taxpayers. Afterall, This affects our towns 2008 budget and directly affects our property taxes.

However, We have a 2008 budget that has been approved by our TC and no where is there enough money to purchase and renovate the building. They are rushing to push this through without doing their own "due diligence". They should be required to send a vote to the taxpayers, especially if they plan on getting a loan. If not, This has to be both unethical and illegal.

[Guest]

"Democracy Week," a referendum exercise to gauge people's opinion on projects that cost $1 million or more, Graf said. South Plainfield has held a "Democracy Day" several times before from 1994 to 2001, Graf said. .....

The majority of South Plainfield voters rejected a proposal to build a new library during a week-long referendum to gauge public support for the $4.5 million project.

The library project was defeated 673-489 in a nonbinding vote during "Democracy Week," a referendum exercise that the Republican-majority council revived recently.

Residents who voted for the plan tended to be from families with younger children or senior citizens who frequent the current library, said Joann Graf, borough clerk. But more than 100 voters who turned down the library expressed concerns about tax increases, while others were not happy with the proposed plan.

"We vowed before the week started that we'd abide by the re sults, and the council should listen to the voters," said council president Robert Bengivenga, a Republican.


http://www.nj.com/starledger/stories/index.ssf?/base/news-3/12106533837840.xml&coll=1

[Guest]

My concern is that the TC already has their mind made up regardless of what the voters want - they don't even need to ask the taxpayers (afterall this all started with a proposed closed TC meeting). It is very easy to stack the meeting with supporters for any special interest group, such as the Friends of the Public Library, Senior Citizens Group, Business Association, etc. However, This is not a true representation of the taxpayers. What weight will the email and letters hold with the TC? I hate to say it - Probably none.

The TC has been pandering to every special interest group. This has been proven by the past decision by the TC:
Tax reassessment
New Ball Field
Purchasing the PNC Bank
COAH

Millions of dollars are being spent on these special interests and have been forging ahead without any in depth plan or an assessment of future implications. For heavens sake, when the school wants to increase their budget, they send it to a vote to the taxpayers. Why should it be different for the TC?

South Plainfield has the right idea about Democracy Week to be able to vote on any purchases over 1 million. It forces the TC to listen to the voters even though it is not a binding vote.

[Guest]

I would go much further than that. I think the Township rules should be amended to require any proposal that involves Township public funding above $100K to first require all of the following in order:

1) A full plan and public not only of initial costs but ongoing annual operational or recurrent capital improvement costs be prepared by an independent authority

2) Said plan and budget be made available to the public for review at least 1 week prior to a public comment hearing

3) An assessment of the annual cost to the AVERAGE taxpayer (based on current data of where the median is) needs to be done. If the cost to an average taxpayer exceeds $50/year, it requires a vote of the Township, not just the TC.

4) If it is less than $50/year, the TC must accept public comments in open session before a vote and allow any voters who want to speak at least once, no matter how long it takes.

5) Only then can they vote on it.

None of these procedures are unique. Many other states and communities put almost every major initiative to the full voters via ballot initiatives rather than leave the power in the hands of politicians, even local ones.

If the TC isn't comfortable with handling authority to the people they supposedly represent, they don't have to seek or keep office.

[Guest]

Cranbury is a small neighborly community - AND I hope it stays that way. However, our town has grown and will keep growing (hopefully in small increments). Due to our growth, there is an increase of money flying in and out of our town (millions of dollars). It is evident we need to have better rules to not only protect our town but also protect the decisions of our TC.

I know being on the TC is a thankless job - but extra rules concerning "Checks and Balances" should be instituted to help the TC in making better decisions for Cranbury. Especially if it's the direction the community wishes. This way, community would have no one else to blame if the decision fell flat.

[Guest]

[Cranbury Conservative]

"Considering the purchase of the PNC site after a big increase in property tax for many residents is a very thankless effort."

There was never a need to even consider this purchase. It is a want.

[Guest]

Let's remember something. The TC members are voted in and they freely run for office. If during the election they make promises then they need to be held accountable. An excuse of not holding them up to their promises because it is a volunteer position is an error for two reasons.

One, they chose to run and voluntarily did so. They made promises and therefore must be accountable for them. If they want to do what is in their interest or what they want for themselves then they should say that when they run.

Two, when one runs and wins that means someone else who was qualified lost. If they run and no one else does then it's a different story.

[guest1]

I have a question about our "volunteer" TC. My understanding is that the committee members receive $4k per year, while the mayor receives $5k. Recently (and I think on the agenda for the 6:30 portion of Monday's meeting) I noticed there is an ordinance to increase the salaries of TC to between $4 and $8k, and the mayor to between $5 and $10k. Does this give them the power to double their salaries? Who has to approve this - the voters? Or do they just get to decide on their raise?

Then in yesterday's Cranbury Press legal notices, there is an ordinance about pensions, including pensions for the TC. Are they already eligible for pensions or is that new? I do not think the TC members (or any other politician) should be eligible for pensions that the taxpayers have to support. They all have jobs and should be covered under their company pensions/savings plans, or doing what many others are doing - saving for their own retirement. Part of NJ's financial problems are due to the overwhelming cost of pensions and health benefits for public employees. (I do believe there should be retirement benefits for the full-time workers, such as clerk, etc.) TC positions should be considered volunteer, public/community service jobs without a pension.

I understand that being on TC is a lot of work, and I appreciate that people are willing to do it. I do not think we should have to pay retirement and/or health benefits to people who step up to these positions.

I would be interested to know if anyone knows how the salaries/pensions work for TC, as I don't!

[MWT]

I believe the pensions are a state mandate issue but may be wrong. That is why the law on dual office holding was passed and why current politicians grandfathered themselves in.

The TC has the right to vote their own raises. Typically it is not done due to the outcry from the public. Just an FYI, the PNC property covers the TC salaries. So for those who say the PNC ratable adds nothing, here is proof of it's value.

[Guest]

What is the new salary for the mayor and the TC? The ordinance lists a range. But what is the exact salary for the mayor and the TC?

Here is the ordinance:

"Cranbury Township Ordinance # 04-08-10
An Ordinance entitled, “Cranbury Township Ordinance # 04-08-10, AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWNSHIP OF CRANBURY AMENDING “AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING THE RANGES FOR THE SALARIES, WAGES AND BENEFITS FOR VARIOUS OFFICIALS AND EMPLOYEES OF THE TOWNSHIP OF CRANBURY PROVIDING FOR THE MANNER OF PAYMENT THEREOF”, was introduced for first reading. Ms. Smeltzer explained the Township has reviewed salaries for employees that work for the Township to try to set up ranges for the positions instead of indicating exactly what that person was paid. This year’s Ordinance shows ranges for the different positions. Ms. Smeltzer indicated she had used the Salary Survey produced by the State League of Municipalities every year as a guide. Ms. Smeltzer also indicated the Salary Resolution be will on the Agenda of May 19, 2008, the same evening the Salary Ordinance will have its Second Reading and Public Hearing. Mr. Panconi raised the question why the Tax Collector and Accounts Payable/Purchasing Clerk are listed as both full-time and part-time. Ms. Smeltzer responded the Township is trying to set up some other alternative positions to allow the Township to be flexible with employment opportunities. Mayor Stout added, to evaluate and optimize the operations of the Township. Ms. Smeltzer stated during the Budget process, one of the themes had been “Organization and Rightsizing”. On motion by Mr. Stannard, seconded by Ms. Stave, the Ordinance was passed on first reading by vote:
Ayes: (Panconi
(Stannard
(Stave
(Stout
(Wittman

Abstain: (None
Absent: (None

Nays: (None
...
NNUAL SALARY RANGE

Minimum Salary
Maximum Salary

Mayor - Part Time
$5,000
$10,000
Township Committee - Part Time
$4,000
$8,000
..."

Source:
http://www.cranburytownship.org/TC_minutes042808.pdf