Town ready to deal
with state money woes
VERONICA YANKOWSKI Amanda Cunningham of Somerville auditions for a community theater production of the play In Your Dreams at North Brunswick Township High School on Saturday.
NORTH BRUNSWICK — During a recent conference with mayors, newly elected Gov. Jim McGreevey said municipalities need to stay within their financial means.
"We’re not clear on what the tax cuts are going to be, but we are going to keep an eye on them," council President Francis "Mack" Womack said. "We are quite concerned with the impact it may have. We are not sure yet of the full implications."
McGreevey also said municipalities would not be getting "one red cent" more in aid, indicating that it will be difficult for a municipality to receive any additional aid from the state.
McGreevey’s comments came after it was announced that the state was facing a $1 billion-$3 billion budget shortfall.
The town has always received certain funding from the state, Womack said.
"There is a level of discretionary funds sent to the township every year," Womack said. "It is money that goes into the general fund and helps the town. With these new implications, we are not sure what is going to happen."
Womack is confident the town can work within its means, but noted that it will have to be careful.
"Right now, the revenue is on track," Womack said. "However, any severe drop in the town’s income would be a concern. It could have bad effects on the taxpayers."
The smartest thing for all municipalities to do is to make sure they stay within their budgets, according to Womack.
"It would be foolish for them not to stay within their means," Womack said. "We certainly plan to stay well within our means. We are currently looking for ways to lower the water rates and save the taxpayers some money. However, until the budget is put together, it is hard to say where we will be financially. I am confident that we will remain within our means. It is foolish to say that we will know exactly what those means are without the presentation of a budget, but we must be careful."
Mayor David Spaulding said officials have not yet gotten together to decide what they will do about a potential state aid cut.
"We haven’t decided what we are going to do as a township," Spaulding said. "I have yet to sit down with the council to discuss this. It is something we will have to discuss."
The township will have to be careful to continue to keep spending under control, Womack said.
The mayor did not want to comment any further on the matter. Business Administrator Rob Lombard could not be reached for comment.