Public hearing, adoption vote expected at May 23 meeting.
By John Tredrea
A proposed $16,776,698 Hopewell Township budget for 2005 that would bring a 5-cent municipal tax rate increase if adopted was introduced by a 3-0 Township Committee vote Monday night.
Voting in favor of introducing the budget were Mayor Arlene Kemp, Deputy Mayor Mark Iorio and Committeewoman Judy Niederer. Committee members Vanessa Sandom and David Sandahl were not present.
The proposed spending plan is scheduled for a public hearing and adoption vote at the committee’s regularly scheduled May 23 meeting.
If adopted, the budget would increase the township’s municipal tax rate to 41 cents per $100 of assessed property value.
Several months ago, a draft spending plan called for a 9-cent tax-rate increase. The spending cuts enacted to limit the tax-rate increase to 5 cents included laying off three full-time employees: two public works department laborers and a maintenance coordinator.
In addition, the township entered into separation agreements with police lieutenants, Bruce Carnall and Frank Fechter. Both lieutenants have resigned and will leave the force April 30 (Saturday) after more than 30 years of service.
At Monday night’s meeting, the committee passed companion resolutions on the two lieutenants, thanking them for their "many years of conscientious service" and wishing them well during their retirements. The lieutenants’ resignations were accepted by township officials at the March 14 meeting.
For the owner of a property assessed at $279,000, the township average, the 5-cent tax-rate increase to 41 cents would mean a municipal tax bill of $1,444 for 2005, up $440 from last year.
In addition to the job cuts noted above, the committee also considered reducing, from full- to part-time, the hours of the township tax collector and health department secretary. At Monday night’s meeting, the committee voted unanimously to keep those positions full-time after all. Also saved, several weeks ago, was the job of a full-time Department of Public Works secretary, who originally was to be laid off.
Under this year’s budget, Hopewell Borough is slated to pay $318,478, up $30,000 from last year, for police services from the township. The township police force has covered the borough for many years, since the borough dissolved its own police department in the early 1980s.
Deputy Mayor Mark Iorio said township and borough officials would continue to study cost issues involved in interlocal services.
Also at Monday’s meeting, under a resolution covering an interlocal agreement between the township and the regional school district, the district will pay the township $35,000 annually. This money will pay for the services of the township recreation director in managing the high school auditorium. A $65,000-a-year position of auditorium manager was eliminated, effective June 30, by the school district this year due to a budget crunch. That position is held by Michael Hritz, who resigned as township recreation director to take the job. Mr. Hritz is expected to be rehired as township recreation director soon, officials said. The salary figure is being negotiated.