EAST WINDSOR: Less state aid for township too

By Sean Ruppert, Staff Writer
   EAST WINDSOR — The township will see its municipal aid from the state drop by $113,269 in 2009.
   In 2008, East Windsor received about $4.5 million in total formula aid. That number will drop to a little more than $4.4 million in 2009. This comes on the heals of an approximately $300,000 decrease in 2008 from 2007.
   ”Obviously, our town would prefer not to lose any money, but in light of the monumental challenges that (Gov. Corzine) is confronting this year, we appreciate his efforts,” Mayor Janice Mironov said.
   ”The fact that the cuts are not much larger reflect the governor’s sensitivities to the importance of that funding. With respect to our budget, we are going to deal with the cut,” she added.
   Mayor Mironov said a subcommittee made up of herself, Councilman Perry Shapiro and Councilman Marc Lippman are reviewing the preliminary budget before it is brought to the full council. The mayor added she expects the council to begin holding public hearings on the budget at the end of this month, though exact dates have not been set.
   She said economic conditions have made the budget process challenging thus far.
   ”The township revenues are down this year compared to what we have experienced in the past,” she said. “We aren’t making money off of our money, construction is down, and permit and licensing fees are down in addition to the municipal aid reductions.”
   The mayor said East Windsor has maintained a lean government over the years, and there isn’t a lot of fat to trim from the budget.
   ”With the not-insignificant drop in our revenues and the ceiling on taxes that the state is putting on towns, we are addressing a serious challenge in forming a compliant budget that maintains service levels,” she said.