Mansfield budget plan keeps stable tax rate

The Township Committee has adopted the 2003 municipal budget which holds the tax rate at 10 cents.

By:Eve Collins
   MANSFIELD — The Township Committee has voted to adopt the $4.6 million 2003 municipal budget.
   Kathy Shaddow, township chief financial officer and treasurer, said state officials are going through the normal review of the budget. It is expected to be approved within the week, officials said.
   With this year’s plan, the tax rate will remain at 10 cents per $100 of assessed property value. The owner of a house valued at the township average of $157,000 would continue to pay $157 in local purpose taxes.
   The budget received a 4-1 vote on April 23, with Committeeman Patrick DeLorenzo voting against the measure.
   Mr. DeLorenzo said he voted against the spending plan because it did not include money he had requested for a Christopher Columbus Festival and defibrillators for the Four Seasons retirement community.
   "There was not enough money appropriated for the adults in the township," Mr. DeLorenzo said on Monday, referring to the community’s population of senior citizens. Mr. DeLorenzo said adults should be afforded more money for the purchase of equipment for recreation because they don’t take advantage of the schools.
   Committeeman Ray Stupienski, who voted against the budget when it was first introduced in March, said he had every intention of voting against the plan again, but he said Mayor Art Puglia did not initially ask for "no" votes during the April 23 adoption, creating some confusion.
   When the mayor asked for "yes" votes, Mr. DeLorenzo voted no, but roll call for a separate "no" vote was not taken, said Township Clerk/Administrator Donna Snyder. Ms. Snyder said she has Mr. Stupienski’s vote down as a yes for the budget.
   Mr. Stupienski explained that he did not speak up again about his concerns about the budget because the plan already had the three votes it needed to pass, and the committee needed to move on with other business. He said he will not challenge the vote.
   "I support the budget as it is presented (the amount of the budget and the itemized appropriations)," Mr. Stupienski said on Monday, "but I do not support the manner in which the budget is being funded."
   Township Auditor Robert Higgins said during the plan’s introduction that $1.8 million was allocated from surplus, leaving $200,000 for operating expenses. He warned that there may not be a surplus for next year, which would mean the committee would have to increase the tax rate by almost 20 cents.
   Township officials have said that department heads will have to make do with less funding this year in order to balance the budget.
   Additional costs for the municipality this year include litigation bills at approximately $50,000, tipping fees that have increased to $50,000 and the controversial twice-a-week trash pickup costs increasing to $50,000 for added salary and cost of operations, officials said.
   The Township Committee also voted to pass an ordinance authorizing the construction of sewers in the Lynnwood Farms section of the township.
   Preliminary estimations of the project put the cost at $1.2 million, but officials hope it will not cost that much, said Ms. Shaddow.
   The ordinance authorizes the issuance of $1.14 million in bonds or notes for financing of the project. The measure was needed to complete an application to the U. S. Department of Agriculture for grants and low-interest loans to fund the project.
   Ms. Shaddow said it is too soon to tell how much the township will get for the project. The remainder of the cost will be covered partially by the township and by a special property tax assessment for residents in Lynnwood Farms.
   "We are trying to make this the lowest cost possible (for the residents)," Ms. Shaddow said.
   The panel also voted to reinstate the Planning and Development Committee, which was not re-appointed at the reorganization meeting Jan. 1.
   The committee was reinstated by a 3-2 vote, with Mayor Puglia and Mr. DeLorenzo voting against the measure.
   The Planning and Development Committee meets informally with anyone interested in coming into the township for any kind of residential, commercial or industrial development, said Planning Board Chairman Joseph Lawrence.
   It can then recommend various actions to Planning Board, but has no legal authority to approve or disapprove those developments, he said.
   The committee has 10 members and is made up of members of the Planning Board, the governing body, and other residents, Mr. Lawrence said.
   Mr. Lawrence said letters have gone out to all the former members of the committee, asking if they would wish to serve again.