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March 4, 2009 The Township Committee met on the above date at 7:30 PM. Mayor Hlubik called the meeting to order and opened with the flag salute and a moment of silence. Roll call was taken showing present: Mayor Michael J. Hlubik, Deputy Mayor Brian J. Kelly and Committeeman Lawrence H. Durr. Also present were John J. Maley, Township Auditor. The Open Public Meetings Act statement was read and compliance noted. There was no public present. The Committee reviewed the individual departmental budget requests. The increase for elections, buildings/grounds equipment and emergency management equipment was questioned. The Deputy Clerk will get back to the Committee on this. The Fair Share Housing Act line item was questioned. Mr. Maley stated this is for the implementation of low income housing. The Public Works Department is requesting a dump truck and plow. Mr. Kelly asked about leasing. Mr. Durr asked if there was any advantage. Mr. Maley stated it helps with cash flow and typically for vehicles with shorter life span. Mr. Durr stated these trucks are kept 25 to 30 years. The Construction Department salaries and wages line item was discussed. Mr. Durr questioned the hourly rate for the building inspectors. If the position is full time it should a salary position. Also with construction slowing down, we may want to look at the hours the inspectors are needed. The Deputy Clerk stated one inspector has been let go and the other works four eight hour days. The Pension line item was discussed. The budget presently fully funds PFRS. There is legislation pending that proposed to defer 50% of the payment. The Committee would prefer to keep 100% of the Pension payment in the budget and not defer until a later date. The LOSAP program for the Emergency Squad was discussed. Now that the squad is paid during the day the Committee may want to discuss this budget item. Mr. Kelly questioned the inside and outside CAP items. Mr. Maley explained that outside CAP meant that expense needs to be approved by the Local Finance Board. Those line items allowed outside CAP are regulated by state statutes. If those items are not approved by the Local Finance Board then they must be cut from the budget. Mr. Maley was asked about the accumulation in the Capital Improvement Fund. Mr. Maley stated the Township has $210,000. These monies can be used for down payment on bonds. He also stated the Township has a 10 year requirement for a Reserve for Open Space. This fund presently has $150,000 plus an additional $75,000 in this year’s budget. He stated that now the rates on bonds are very good. Mr. Durr asked about extending the sewer line on Route 528. The residents were notified and the majority was in favor of the sewer just not the timing. He suggested we look into completing the extension because of the favorable rates and allow the homeowners a longer time maybe 2-3 years to hook up to the system. Mr. Maley stated there would be no down payment requirement for a sewer capital project because it is a self liquidating utility. The revenue side of the budget was discussed. The Committee asked that the Construction Code Official confirm the anticipated construction fees. The tax collection rate for 2008 was 96.68%. The prior year collection rate was 96.86%. The budget as proposed would be 8.9 cents, up from 4.1 last year. Mr. Durr stated he wants to keep the tax rate flat. The Committee agreed and will use surplus to do so. The Township will need to go to the Local Finance Board for the CAP waivers and any bonding they wish to do. The sewer project will not need to go to Local Finance Board. There are a few project listed in the capital budget. They include a dump truck and plow and the completion of Georgetown Road. The Township received a grant for Georgetown Road. The Committee discussed potential capital projects for bonding. They include: an analysis and utilization study to convert the elementary school for municipal use; land acquisition and bypass from Old York Village; and park projects. The Committee will discuss this further and come up with a complete listing of projects. The reassessment as proposed by the Tax Assessor was discussed. Mr. Durr questioned whether this is the right year to reassess. The economy may be worse next year. The Committee will discuss further. Mr. Durr made a motion seconded by Mr. Kelly to adjourn the meeting. All were in favor. The meeting adjourned at 9:40 PM. Respectfully submitted Caryn M. Hoyer, RMC |