Questions raised if township has sufficent funds should it lose two major lawsuits.
By: David M. Campbell
WEST WINDSOR The Township Council unexpectedly postponed a vote Monday night on its $24.4 million municipal budget for 2001, pending the outcome of litigation with two local landowners.
During the public hearing on the budget, acting Business Administrator Frank Cox asked the council to ensure there is money in the budget to cover losses in the event the township is defeated in two outstanding lawsuits filed against the township by the Censoni and Nierenberg families.
"It’s a risk we, as a council, certainly have to address," said Council President Kristin Appelget.
The Censonis’ property, a 16-acre parcel across from the municipal complex on Clarksville Road, was condemned by the township last year so it can build a firehouse there. The Censonis rejected the township’s offer of about $2.25 million for the property.
The Nierenberg property was acquired by the township years ago for the construction of Community Park, off Princeton-Hightstown Road.
If the township loses the lawsuits, it could be responsible for further payment.
Following Mr. Cox’s announcement, Council Vice President Rae Roeder asked that thevote be postponed so the council can ensure there is enough money budgeted for such an outcome, which the council agreed to do.
Councilwoman Jacqueline Alberts asked the council to consider her proposal to eliminate the budget’s 1-cent tax increase. She has proposed a budget amendment that would shave $271,000 from the township’s spending. In order for such an amendment to be adopted, it needs a minimum of four votes by the council.
Cost reductions supported by Ms. Alberts, which were proposed but rejected by the council during its budget deliberations, include $40,000 through joint purchasing among municipal offices and with the regional school district; $35,000 in consulting fees associated with proposals that come before the Township Planning Board; $75,000 through reductions in nonsalaried operating costs; and $25,000 through ending private farmland leases of open space.
Ms. Alberts says an additional $30,000 could be trimmed by curbing cellphone and radio use; $8,000 by curbing fees for firefighters and emergency-services personnel and $3,000 by cutting travel and convention expenses.
"I’m hopeful that even if my colleagues don’t accept these proposals tonight, we can begin tomorrow to start on next year’s budget and start implementing the concepts we talked about throughout the budget workshops," Ms. Alberts said prior to the meeting Monday night. "We’re at the peak of our growth, and we should learn how to operate efficiently now."
The proposed budget represents a $1.2 million increase over last year’s budget of $23.2 million.
It carries a 1-cent tax increase over the current municipal tax rate of 39 cents per $100 of assessed property value.
With a 40-cent tax levy, the owner of a home assessed at the township average of $242,000 would pay $968, up from $943 last year.
The council will likely resume its hearing on the budget at its May 14 public meeting.
In other business, Mayor Carole Carson announced Monday the establishment of a Senior Citizens’ Tax Relief Task Force, a committee that will research and make a recommendation for tax relief for seniors.
"This task force is an important step in addressing the concerns expressed by the senior-citizen community," Mayor Carson said. "Seniors who live here in West Windsor should not be forced to leave their homes because they can no longer afford the taxes."
The charter of the task force is to examine existing tax-relief programs in other towns, research all options and make recommendations to the mayor and council to best reduce the tax burden on residents living on fixed incomes, the mayor said.