East Windsor residents will not see a municipal tax increase this year.
By: David Pescatore
EAST WINDSOR The Township Council on Tuesday adopted a 2003 budget of $16.5 million that carries no increase in the local purpose tax.
The budget represents a 4.5-percent increase from last year’s $15.7 million budget, but the tax rate will remain stable at just under 38 cents per $100 of assessed value for the 10th consecutive year.
At 37.8 cents per $100 of assessed property value, the township’s average single-family home, assessed at $165,000, would be taxed $624 for municipal purposes.
Mayor Janice S. Mironov called the budget "conservative" and "tight," but said that "there are no cuts in services to the community."
"This budget represents a conservative but healthy approach to finance. It will serve our community well," she said.
The mayor added that the increased budget did not require a corresponding increase in the tax rate due to an increase in the township’s tax base.
"The ratable base has risen by over $60 million," she said.
The increase in ratable, or taxable property is due largely to new businesses that have opened in the past year, according to the mayor.
"This administration has been proactive and successful in securing funding through grants and private contributions. We have been able to rely on outside sources of funding for our new senior center, roadway projects, open space acquisitions and park upgrades," she said
Municipal taxes account for $4.9 million (30 percent) of the budget.
Mayor Mironov said that the $736,000 increase over the 2002 budget is mostly found in a $500,000 increase in salary and wages, a $150,000 increase in health insurance costs, and an extra $70,000 spent during the harsh winter storms.

