Borough remains "tax neutral"
By: Greg Forester
ROCKY HILL The Rocky Hill Borough Council was forced to amend the proposed 2007-2008 budget after review by the Department of Community Affairs, although the revisions were only in the neighborhood of $13,000, borough officials said.
Borough Council adopted an amendment for these changes Monday, and plans to continue the public hearing at its next meeting May 21, when members of the council said they hope to adopt the budget.
Borough officials had said previously that budget constraints, brought on by new legislation, would have an effect on the budget, although the overall picture remains the same for this year.
"We remained tax neutral, with a 2-cent decrease offset by a 2-cent increase in open space funding," said Mayor Ed Zimmerman. "We decided to hold it where it is because of school funding."
Rocky Hill officials said they maintained this tax-neutral stance to offset increases in school taxes, brought on partially by limited state aid to some school districts. Rocky Hill sends its students to the Montgomery Township School District.
In other financial matters, the Borough Council approved a resolution providing funding for the purchase of a new fire truck to replace one Rocky Hill Fire Department’s aging vehicles.
The provision of funding, in the $360,000 range, will allow Rocky Hill’s fire officials to move ahead and submit design requirements to several manufacturers.
They would then select a proposal, allowing for the delivery of the equipment sometime in 2008.
The Borough Council also approved a 30-day extension to police coverage from South Bound Brook, which borough officials said will pave the way for a six-month contract to take care of police coverage until the end of this year.
The Borough Council on Monday also heard some discussions with regard to parking, brought on by the success of Rocky Hill’s restaurant One53, on Washington Street.
Mayor Zimmerman said some residents complained about people parking on the surrounding streets in the middle of the borough.
"That restaurant is doing very well right now," said Mayor Zimmerman.