By Kristine Snodgrass, Staff Writer
MONTGOMERY — Faced with budgetary shortfalls that have led to employee layoffs, the Township Committee is considering ways to halve the cost of its Independence Day celebration.
The event, which in the past has included fireworks, a concert, games and food, has been held annually since the mid-1970s, township Recreation Director Karen Zimmerman said. Last year, it attracted about 4,000 people, she said.
The price tag on last year’s event was about $33,000 with $21,000 for the concert and fireworks, Ms. Zimmerman said. The remainder of the cost includes wages and overtime for township employees, police and fire marshals, she said.
Mayor Louise Wilson said she would like to see that cost cut in half this year.
”I’d like for us to be able to have the fireworks, but I think we can dramatically reduce the costs,” she said at Thursday’s Township Committee meeting.
The concert before the fireworks, which costs $6,000 for the band and stage, Ms. Zimmerman said, may be replaced with a disc jockey. The vendors and inflatable games for children will remain, however, as they cost nothing to the township, she said.
As a way to keep the event, but make up costs, she said, drivers may be charged $5 to park at the event, held in recent years at Montgomery High School. In previous years, more than 2,000 cars were parked for free, she said. Volunteers would be recruited to collect money and direct cars, she said.
As another cost-cutting measure, the fireworks show may be cut back, she added. Last year’s fireworks show lasted 25 minutes, but this year, it may be cut to 20 minutes, she said.
The committee reacted favorably to the proposal. Committeeman Brad Fay said charging for parking would encourage car pooling, easing traffic congestion. And Committeeman Mark Caliguire pointed out many of the people who attend may not be residents, making a charge for parking more fair.
However, the committee balked at Ms. Zimmerman’s suggestion that $10 for parking would recoup the cost of the entire event.
Also at the meeting, the committee authorized emergency temporary appropriations for streets and road maintenance. The 2009 municipal budget has not been approved, and the administration asked for additional funds for the temporary budget.
Road maintenance for the snowstorm the previous weekend had cost the township $50,000, township administrator Donato Nieman said.
Appropriations were increased by $60,000 for salaries and wages, plus $125,000 for “other expenses,” according to the resolution.
The committee also discussed a possible train track extension planned for the township.
The state Department of Transportation earlier this year informed the mayor about the plans of CSX Corporation, a transportation company that owns rail lines in the township.
For a 2-mile stretch running from just east of Route 601 to just west of Hollow Road, the company may install a double track that would allow trains to pull over, idle and let other trains pass.
Although the township has no control or jurisdiction over the expansion, the committee hoped CSX would install quiet zones at intersections affected by construction.
In a recent meeting, Mr. Fay said, a CSX representative said it may install a quad gate railroad crossing, considered to be more safe, at only the Hollow Road intersection because of its proximity to Montgomery High School. A representative from the county said the state DOT would consider this a priority, even if CSX did not make the improvements, Mr. Fay said.
Mr. Fay also reported the CSX representative said the track extension is not definite as a result of the economy, which has caused its business to fall by 30 percent in recent months.
The committee agreed to write a letter to the company as a follow-up to the meeting to make clear its concerns.
The committee also approved the ordinance to institute the changeover in its sewer service charge system from a flat fee to a user-based system. Sewer bills, which were delayed until the committee approved the ordinance, are expected to go out this week, and payment will be due April 1.
Mr. Nieman also informed the committee that, as another possible cost-cutting measure for the township, the administration is investigating a possible merger of its Department of Health services with that of Franklin Township.

