ROBBINSVILLE: Council OKs temporary budget

By Joanne Degnan, Staff Writer
   ROBBINSVILLE — The Township Council has adopted a temporary $4.5 million operating budget for 2011 that enables the municipal government to function during the next few months while a permanent budget is being crafted.
   The Township Council on Jan. 6 also approved a $534,000 temporary sewer utility budget and a $94,596 open space budget for the beginning of 2011. These appropriations are separate from the regular municipal operating budget.
   State law allows towns to approve temporary budgets that do not exceed 26.5 percent of their previous year’s final budget, less debt service and capital improvement funds. Robbinsville’s 2010 final budget was $18.8 million; its sewer utility budget was $2.1 million; and the Open Space Trust Fund was $1.2 million.
   In other action at its first meeting of 2011, the Township Council also approved two no-bid professional services contracts for appraisal services and an economic development and redevelopment coordinator.
   A $20,000 one-year contract was awarded to Henry J. Mancini and Associates for property appraisal services related to the planned intersection improvements at Route 130 and Voelbel Road. Township Administrator Tim McGough said funds deposited in an escrow account by BAPS Mercer LLC, which is constructing a five-building Hindu American Religious Center on a 102-acre site off North Main Street near the intersection, will pay for the appraisal work.
   The second professional services contract was awarded to Charleville Company, LLC, whose president, Mary Caffrey, has been serving in a consulting capacity as the township’s economic development coordinator and point person on the large Town Center South redevelopment project off Route 33. Ms. Caffrey served as Robbinsville’s township administrator from 2005-2009.
   Under the terms of the $32,000 contract, which expires Dec. 31, Ms. Caffrey will be paid $1,800 per month, plus expenses, and an additional $200 per week for “web content development, maintenance services and photography for economic development.” Mr. McGough said Monday that the Charleville contract would be paid for out of a state economic development grant.
   An ordinance setting the salaries of township officials — including the mayor, council, municipal clerk, department heads and other key employees — was listed for introduction on the Jan. 6 agenda, but it was not acted upon by the Township Council.