West Amwell OKs $3.03M tab

The budget includes $40,000 toward two Fire Department vehicles.

By: Linda Seida
   WEST AMWELL — The Township Committee approved a $3.03 million budget for 2006 that includes almost $40,000 toward the purchase of the fire company’s new ladder truck and command vehicle.
   The ladder truck, which also features a water tank and pump, would be the West Amwell Fire Company’s first. The command vehicle, to be driven by the chief, also would be a first for the department. The total cost for both vehicles is approximately $740,000.
   The committee unanimously approved the budget May 3.
   Residents peppered officials with questions about the budget, which includes an increase of more than $200,000 over the 2005 budget of almost $2.83 million. Some residents also questioned the need for a ladder truck.
   Fire Chief Jeff Ent defended the company’s need for the two new vehicles.
   He said most new houses are constructed in a truss design that "fails really quick in a fire."
   Without a ladder truck, firefighters could be fighting a blaze while standing on a roof that could collapse in a very short span of time. In fact, in 2004, two firefighters had to jump from a roof as it collapsed, Chief Ent said.
   The truck also carries compressed air foam. The foam cuts down the amount of water needed to battle a fire, according to Chief Ent.
   New state and federal guidelines require fire departments to have the capability to set up a command post, Chief Ent said. In the event of an emergency, responders from rescue squads, fire companies, police and other agencies must have the capability to communicate through a centralized location.
   Chief Ent now is responding to emergencies in his personal truck, which does not have the capability to handle new technology, he said.
   In addition to the fire company’s new vehicles, other expenses also contributed to the budget increase this year, according to officials.
   Engineering fees rose from $4,500 to $10,000, thanks, in part, to the township’s effort to remove a sewer service area from a state map. Also, the township still is working through the remediation of several private wells that were contaminated several years ago by the township’s supply of road salt.
   So far, fees related to the salt litigation has cost the township about $1 million, according to Mayor Tom Molnar. From 2005 to 2006, expenses related to health and welfare services, including the remediation, rose from $31,500 to $56,500.
   "We tried to remain as flat as possible, but circumstances, especially litigation, increased costs," Committeeman Gary Bleacher said.
   "Most, if not all, departments received cuts," Committeeman Ron Shapella said. "Contrary to what some said, it’s a tight budget."
   The amount of the budget that will be raised through taxes for municipal services, or the tax levy, is $335,816. In 2005, the tax levy was $208,857.
   The 2006 tax rate for municipal services is 6.51 cents per every $100 of assessed valuation. The owner of a property assessed at the township average of $444,855 will pay $289.60 a year, $120.75 more than last year.
   In 2005, the tax rate was 4.10 cents per every $100 of assessed valuation. Based on last year’s average assessment of $411,819, taxes were $168.85.
   Property owners also have an additional 6-cent tax for every $100 of assessed valuation for open space preservation. Voters agreed to raise the open space tax to 6 cents in 2004.
   It began as a 2-cent tax in 2000. Voters approved doubling the tax in 2001.
   Based on the average assessment, that means an additional $266.91.