Rocky Hill Borough Council OKs budget

Taxes to rise by 4 cents

By: Jake Uitti
   ROCKY HILL — The Borough Council on Monday unanimously adopted a $919,553 municipal budget for 2006.
   The budget represents a 1.3 percent increase over last year’s budget, which was $907,965, and brings with it a tax-rate increase of 4 cents per $100 of assessed value.
   The budget carries a municipal tax rate of 67 cents per $100 of assessed value, compared to the 2005 tax rate of 63 cents.
   The owner of a home assessed at the borough average $280,000 will pay $1,876 in municipal taxes, compared to $1,764 in 2005.
   Borough Mayor George Morren said significant funds this year are going toward the Van Horne Park completion. Mayor Morren also noted that there may be significant costs on the horizon with a new fire truck needed in the borough, as well as firehouse renovations.
   Costs this year are going up because of the park, as well as a one-time $10,000 cost for emergency communications equipment, increased planning expenses, increases to the buildings and grounds budget and engineering costs, said Robert Morrison, the borough’s financial auditor, who prepares the budget documents for the borough.
   Council President Richard Batchelder also noted that funds are going toward the purchase and operation of a new ambulance, paying debts and water-main upgrades in town.
   The 2006 budget calls for a $50,000 increase in operating costs. About $25,000 of that will be paid for by the borough’s surplus, and the other $25,000 will come from increases in property taxes, Mr. Morrison added.
   The borough is partially offsetting the increase in operating costs by funds from grants it has received this year.