In the Oct. 25 Independent, Democratic Borough Council candidate Steven Barranca states that nobody in town has a clue as to what is being spent, and that the town’s financial accountability remains unresolved. This is not true.
This year we have created various budget versus actual reports which are generated regularly and distributed to the mayor, council and department heads. We have made it policy that these reports be generated and distributed on a monthly basis. In May, we began paying our bills twice monthly rather than once a month, which has lowered our aging payables while simultaneously building our credit rating. All of the borough’s bank account balances are reported at each council meeting. We have incurred no bounced checks this year.
This year, we have secured, earmarked and identified several projects for Matawan without increasing the tax burden on the taxpayers: $360,000 from the state to aid in school taxes, $30,000 for the Ravine Drive School playground, and $30,000 for police equipment. In summary, we have brought the police department into the 21st century, provided safe equipment for our children and helped ease the school tax levy to Matawan residents.
In addition, we have secured several grants for Matawan’s development totaling over $500,000. These development projects include the community center, road improvements, historic sites, downtown redevelopment, and community development just to name a few.
On a regular basis, we report on all of these facts and projects at the council meetings. Never before has Matawan been more accountable for the finances of the town.
Sharon D. Roselli
Matawan Borough Council
Finance Commissioner

