MONTGOMERY: Budget cap increase approved

By Kristine Snodgrass, Staff Writer
   MONTGOMERY — The Montgomery Township Committee has approved an ordinance to increase its budget cap to 3.5 percent in order to avoid what its administrator said would be “draconian” budget cuts.
   According to the ordinance, approved Thursday, state law requires that a municipality must limit any increase in its budget to 2.5 percent unless it passes an ordinance to increase it to 3.5 percent over the previous year’s final appropriations.
   The committee found it “advisable and necessary” to increase the budget cap by 1 percent, which would amount to $172,324.63, according to the ordinance.
   Without the increase, budget cuts would be “draconian,” township administrator Donato Nieman said. He added that the cap does not result in a 3.5 percent increase in the tax levy; the township is subject to a separate 4 cap on property tax increases.
   Also at the meeting, Committeeman Mark Caliguire expressed doubt about the changeover of the sewer system from a flat fee to a usage-based system.
   Under the new system this year, sewer users will be charged based on the amount of water they use. The flat fee, which remained at $600 for the past 15 years, was expected to rise to $849 this year. Under the new system, 70 percent of users are expected to pay less than the flat fee would have been.
   ”Some of the doubts I’ve had from the very beginning are still with me,” Mr. Caliguire said.
   The committee held a public meeting last week to inform residents about the switchover, which has been under way since last year.
   Mr. Caliguire said the base fee of $200 for administrative costs was not high enough, resulting in higher-volume users supplementing those who use less for the operation of the system.
   ”If you turn the system on, there are going to have to be some costs,” he said.
   Township Attorney Kristina Hadinger proposed a series of amendments to the sewer user rates ordinance, based on a public meeting last week where residents gave feedback and asked questions about the changeover. Amendments were related to permit fees, meter installation, erroneous meter readings, a grace period for the changeover and other clarifications.
   Mr. Nieman and Ms. Hadinger advised the committee to introduce the ordinance with the amendments, citing the urgency to send out the bills, which it did. It is expected to vote on the ordinance at its March 5 meeting.
   Also at the meeting, the committee approved an ordinance increasing fees for its Kid Connection program. The fees for all-day kindergarten and preschool went up 5 percent. Before and after school care rates were not changed.
   In developments on the possible sale of the Skillman Village property to the county, Mr. Nieman said that a county representative is scheduled to visit the site Thursday. An appraisal of the property, which was ordered by the Board of Chosen Freeholders, is expected to take 60 days. The board has expressed interest in purchasing the property as a county park.
   The committee also passed a resolution designating tracts of municipal-owned parks and open spaces for the township’s deer management program, as in years past. This year, the hunting season will begin Sept. 12 and end Feb. 20, 2010. No more than 97 permits will be issued.
   An ordinance was also introduced to make a no passing zone on Province Line Road.