Pay Up "I need to spend your money to make money" Quote from Committeeman Tom Pullion's Bee Article several years ago.
The Township will lose the $12,000 dollars in income which represents a little less than 1/2¢ on the tax rate. Does this decision, represent good finical management during a year when the Committee is going to raise taxes 18¢ to 28¢ per $100 dollars of assessment?
Now local taxpayers are facing a huge increase in the Municipal Tax, an increase of 8¢ on the School Tax and on top of these increases your Sewer Tax will increase. The only tax that is decreasing is the County Tax. The Fire Tax is staying the same. The same group (Edgewater Park Royal Families) is running the Sewer Authority.
The Township Committee held the first Budget meeting that was open to the Public this past Tuesday, and guess what, they are blaming everyone else for the increase in taxes.
Instead of blaming others, why didn't Committee start working on cutting cost, late last year when they knew the State was cutting aid. This is example of the botched job Committee has done along with the Administrator/Clerk, managing our Township.
Just adding an insult to our tax increase, this Township Committee has borrowed an additional $1,000,000 (million) dollars (Bonds) in borrowing just this past year. Ask the Mayor how much borrowing, has the Township has done during her term of office. She probably doesn't know, but after reading this Blog she will get the answer.
Talk about "the Mortgage," and it now looks like because of all the borrowing, the Township will be forced to put any future capital projects on hold (street re-paving, infrastructure repairs), but they are spending tax money to paint, re-carpeting the Municipal Building and will build a new Office for the Mayor. Is this spending necessary during a year when Committee knew the state is cutting aid?
Just remember after you get your new tax bill in July, how hard this Committee and Administrator/Clerk worked to responsibly handle the finances of our Township. Remember how little they care about how their irresponsibly caused your taxes to increase greatly, during a year when you are finding it difficult to pay for the increases in food, gas, utilities and childcare.
You can make a difference, by attending the Township Budget hearings and expressing you concerns. If they don't listen, repay the favor in November by voting the bums out. It won't change the majority on Committee, but at least there would be two watch dogs on Committee.
Quickly on to another subject, I received a tip that the City of Burlington was trying to force the Main Street Project Board of Directors to hire a "Edgewater Park Committeewoman" as the replacement director. I was told that the Board politely told the Burlington Mayor and Council to pound sand.
There also are changes at the Sewer Authority. I understand that the authority hired a new Acting Administrator, who is according to Authority Board members comments, is also acting as the Authorities Operator, and not the Willingboro MUA. The Acting Administrator/Operator was given a six week contract for $700 dollars per week, according to what I was told. The Authorities Administrator is out on sick leave, also according to comments made to me. I have not been able to get any more information on the illness of the Administrator.
The Edgewater Park Reporter
