Tax hike on table

Tentative spending calls for 5.5 percent increase.

By: Josh Appelbaum
   Increases in the cost of utilities, professional services and ongoing capital projects and new affordable housing obligations could result in a 5.5 percent increase in municipal taxes.
   The Township Committee was scheduled to introduce a $9.75 million preliminary budget early Thursday evening after The Cranbury Press’ deadline. The budget had been scheduled for introduction Monday, but the vote was postponed. Township Clerk Kathy Cunningham said Wednesday the budget was not completed.
   While the budget was not introduced, Mayor Becky Beauregard offered an overview of the spending plan, which is slated to increase the municipal tax rate by 4 cents to 77 cents per $100 of assessed valuation. The 2004 budget was $9.5 million, with a 73-cent tax rate.
   If approved, the owner of a house assessed at the township average of $250,000 would pay $1,925 in municipal taxes, a $100 increase.
   Township Administrator Fred Carr said Wednesday evening that specific details on the budget would not be available until after it was introduced.
   A public hearing on the budget is scheduled for March 14 at 7 p.m.
   Committeeman David Stout said Monday night that increases in costs for public utilities like heating and electricity, services like waste management and safety expenses like salaries for police will push municipal spending up much like these costs affect individual households.
   "Things like recycling fees and sewage are all going up," Mr. Stout said. "And its because people in town expect a high quality of services and we choose to deliver them that taxes will go up — I’m glad its only 4 cents. As you know, utilities never decrease."
   Cranbury is also expected to pay more for professional services like legal representation and affordable housing advice.
   The Township Committee on Monday appointed new Township Planner Richard Preiss at annual stipend of $147,000 and affordable housing consultant Mary Beth Lonergan at a maximum of $27,500 for 2005. The two will be working on revisions to the township’s Master Plan and affordable housing action plan.
   Township officials are also expecting its legal fees to increase, due to work on capital projects, land acquisitions and ongoing litigation, officials said.
   Outstanding projects like the $3.2 million Cranbury Police Station will also push costs up. While the township has borrowed for construction, it will incur additional costs for furnishings in this year’s budget.