Letters to the editor

For the April 14 issue.

Take time to vote in school budget election

To the editor:
   It is important that everyone remember to vote on Tuesday, April 19 in the annual school budget election.
   The Bordentown Regional School District Board of Education and administration worked very hard on the budget. In spite of the fact that state aid, once again, did not increase but our enrollment continues to increase, we have been able to work toward proposing a reasonable spending plan.
   This year two of our communities will realize a tax decrease. Taxes will go down in Bordentown Township by $111.41 for the year on a home assessed at the township average of $132,133 and in Fieldsboro, taxes will go down $33.19 for the year on a home assessed at the borough average of $86,628.
   Taxes in Bordentown City will rise by $69.78 for the year, or $1.34 per week, on a home assessed at the city average of $101,361.
   Our Board of Education’s priority was to maintain reasonable class sizes, while realizing we cannot add any additional staff to our programs. Our school district, according to the New Jersey Department of Education, spends about $900 per student less than the state average. Our administrative costs are significantly below the state average and one of the lowest in the county.
   On the other hand, the amount of spending going directly to the classroom is 50 percent higher than the state average. Detailed information about our budget is available on our Web site at:www.bordentown.k12.nj.us.
   We hope that everyone exercises their right to vote on Tuesday, April 19. The polls are open from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the following locations:
   Fieldsboro – Municipal Building.
   Bordentown City – Clara Barton School.
   Bordentown Township – Bordentown Regional High School.


   John Polomano

Superintendent of Schools
Bordentown Regional School District



Student urgers voters to approve budget
To the editor:
   Recently, Dr. James Saruda, Northern Burlington’s Superintendent of Schools, spoke at the Mansfield Township Committee Meeting about the 2005-2006 school budget. During this meeting, he discussed a special question to re-establish the 5:30 busing system, which was eliminated due to budgets being defeated.
   Some of the audience at this meeting expressed distaste with the reinstatement of the after school busing because they didn’t want to pay more money; personally, I feel that the district should re-establish the "late" buses. I stay after school almost every day to participate in activities.
   During the fall I had marching band practice and during the winter and spring months I rehearsed for the spring musical. The 5:30 buses were a luxury that is sorely missed. Every day, I have to wait for my parents to come and pick me up. We must balance our schedules so that everyone is where they need to be. With the after school bussing program, I could catch the bus when my parents couldn’t be there. They made life a lot easier for my family as well as many others.
   Also, I feel for our school to remain as one of the best in Burlington County, the school budget needs to be approved. Right now our school is operating at a bare minimum. The Board of Education reduced programs from our school because of the last two budget failures.
   I feel that if it fails for another year the administration will cut funding further and cripple certain programs. I hope this never happens but if it did, I could see the arts programs and the agricultural programs at our school being further reduced. I urge the public to not let this occur. If the programs got cut, my peers, as well as myself, will not have all the opportunities we have with funding. Who knows what we accomplish if these various opportunities are allowed to continue?
   Recently, I talked to one of my peers who went for an interview for Girl’s State. At this interview one of the panelists asked her what defines a good citizen. She answered by saying "a good citizen is someone who thinks for the good of the community before themselves." I think that was a fantastic answer and I would ask each and every one of the members of our community to be a good citizen.
   I can’t promise you that from my graduating class there is going to be the next President of the United States, or a Congressman, or even a famous actor. But, what I can promise you is that if you approve the budget many more opportunities will open up for my fellow peers. We will be able to take the lessons we learned from our extracurricular activities and apply them to life. We will become the next generation of good citizens.
   Therefore, I ask you as a citizen in the Northern Burlington Regional district, to approve the budget. I thank you for reading my letter and would like to thank you in advance for voting for the 2005-2006 school budget.


   Andrew Arenge

Class of 2006
Northern Burlington Regional
High School



Creek ‘ramble’ toured city’s hidden greenway
To the editor:
   Sunny skies and warm tempertures greeted the 20 folks who came out for the Thorntown Creek Ramble on Saturday. The balmy weather allowed for a leisurely three hour tour, covering about 1.2 miles along this greenway area within Bordentown City. Ramblers learned about local plants, animals, and history, and afterwards agreed that this sliver of green is indeed a special place right in their own backyards.
   Thanks very much to Ocean Spray and Divine Word Missionaries for allowing access to their properties, and to Bob Erickson, Director of Public Works, for his time and materials.
   Keep an eye out for a Blacks Creek Ramble in the fall!


   Mike Hunninghake

Chair, Bordentown City
Environmental Commission



Former mayor responds to residents’ letter
To the editor:
   I am responding to a letter to the editor "Group of residents support town leadership" which appeared in the March 17 issue. The author comments that I have made unreasonable claims against the new Republican township committee team and that it is necessary to look at the facts, however, I have written letters to the editor on various issues which are actually my opinion and not claims which relates to actions taken at township meetings.
   As a township resident and being a stakeholder, I still believe that we live in the land of the free, and that we all have every right to partake of this freedom and that perhaps this is even a civic duty by choosing democratic involvement over apathy.
   First of all, as a 30-plus year resident of the this township coupled with over 25 years of actual experience in local government services, being appointed to our local zoning board, Planning Board, Recreation Advisory Committee and elected to five three-year terms to the Township Committee, it is my opinion that I have a good insight to the history and was very involved in township issues, being one of the architects in keeping our township one of the most rural townships in Northern Burlington County.
   You indicate that the voters in 2003 wanted and received under Bill Tilton, Mike Moscatiello and Lou DeLorenzo, fiscal management, a hold on strangling property tax increases and more accountability at town hall. One should first look at the facts as to who funded the 2003 local campaign and perhaps pay-to-play is very alive in this township’s politics. With regards to these points, the true facts are that from 1995 to 2003 (nine years) the average local purpose tax increase was 2 cents per $100 of assessed property value per year which represented an annual increase of $30 per year for the average home assessed at $150,000.
   North Hanover’s net tax rate was one of the lowest of the 40 municipals in Burlington County during this same period of time. As for the facts, it is true that the new Republican leadership used $640,000 of surplus dollars (from the saving account); however, the budget for 2004 was not cut (2003 year end budget spent $2,593,511 against 2004 budget appropriation $2,832,196) which spending increase of $238,685 would require a local tax increase of $0.114 per $100 of assessed value.
   The mentioned emergency vehicle (ambulance) and police car (four wheel Dodge) were actually purchased in 2003 the year before the new team took office. As for obtaining grants, it is always good news that the township received a $140,000 grant for township roads; however, if you checked history, the previous township committees received similar grants which total many thousands of dollars, not to mention the $3.3 million State Planning Incentive Grant which was received in July 2003.
   You mention that the Republican record in one year is impressive; however, if using $640,000 of surplus to balance a budget which equates to a 30 cent increase in local tax is a bold move in leadership, I must beg to differ with your statement. With regards to the future and if we will be able to continue to maintain our rural character, I am very hopeful that this can be accomplished, however, the current township committee’s actions to sell township property and by using all remaining surplus of $390,000 in the 2005 budget, in my opinion this is still reckless and short sighted in the fiscal management of this township.


   John S. Kocubinski

North Hanover Township



Busy intersection needs traffic signal
To the editor:
   This is a copy of a letter to Joseph Caruso, Burlington County Engineering Department.
   
The Ashurst Family Physicians PA Group will soon be relocating their offices from the Homestead Plaza to the Mansfield Center Complex, located on the North side of Rouite 543 in Mansfield Township.
   Many of the residents of the Homestead at Mansfield age restricted community will be utilizing the intersection of Sheffield Drive and Route 543 to enter and exit the Mansfield Center Complex after the relocation of the Ashurst Family Physician’s Group.
   It is my opinion that this will create a dangerous traffic hazard at this intersection because there are no left hand turn lanes, or signage.
   I feel that this will be excessively dangerous to these drivers due to the curve on Route 543 West as vehicles leave the 25 mile hour zone, especially with the numerous trucks traveling on Route 543 located in front of Mansfield Center.
   Do future plans call for a traffic signal to be installed at the intersection on Petticoat Bridge Road and Route 543? The installation of this proposed traffic signal would add some protection from the numerous trucks and cars traveling at excessive speeds.
   You, and the staff members of your department, have made many road improvements and should be especially commended for the left hand turn lanes for vehicles exiting the Homestead Shopping Plaza, the left hand turn traffic signal at the intersection of Jacksonville-Hedding Road and Woodlane Road and the consideration and attention to the possible increased traffic utilizing the Sheffeild Drive and Route 543 intersection would be greatly appreciated by the residents that will eventually be using Route 543 to attend their doctor’s appointments.



   Ernest Dubay

Columbus