WEST WINDSOR: Council calls for more budget cuts

   WEST WINDSOR — Neither the public nor the Township Council have been shy about scrutinizing the administration for areas of questionable spending, but after several rounds of revision, the proposed budget will be introduced at the next meeting on Monday.
   Council’s frustration with the budget and administration appeared to culminate on Monday night with an unexpected motion by councilman Charles Morgan, who suggested saving money by cutting administrator Bob Hary’s job and assigning the duties to the mayor. The motion, which appeared like a half-serious vote of no-confidence in Mr. Hary’s work, was voted down, 3-1. Only Mr. Morgan voted in favor.
   ”Champagne taste with a beer budget” is how council Vice President Diane Ciccone characterized the budget. She and council members — not satisfied with the proposed 5.3 percent tax levy — told Hary to make further cuts to the $37.4 million budget.
   ”The budget will now be down by $75,000 from what was first presented,” Mr. Hary said. “It will result in a tax levy increase of about 4.9 percent and 2.4 pennies on the tax rate. The average home would face about a $100 increase.”
   Based on council’s recommendations, Mr. Hary said he will make two major cuts to the township’s capital budget: $650,000 for renovations to the municipal building and police trailer; and to split the final phase of the Duck Pond Park project to $150,000 over two years, as opposed to $300,000 this year. He will also reduce the overtime budget by another five percent for non-emergency services.
   The cuts will result in $15,000 in savings from the operating budget. The other $60,000 in cuts were decided at an earlier meeting.
   ”Capital items take out long-term debt for the township,” Mr. Hary explained. “In any given operating budget year, what you’re budgeting is five percent for the down payment. The rest is bonded.”
   ”He should’ve found those cuts the first time around,” said resident Guy Pierson. He and several other members of the public criticized the administration for irresponsible spending.
   ”My disposable income gets less and less, but I don’t go out and buy something new,” Mr. Pierson added. “I can’t understand how West Windsor will do that.”
   The three suggestions came from Ms. Ciccone, who said, “People assume we’re a wealthy community with deep pockets and that we can afford it, but we can’t.”
   Councilwoman Linda Geevers also raised an eyebrow to a $50,000 allocation in the capital budget for a department of public safety sign reflectivity project.
   Resident John Church noted that East Windsor has a population similar to West Windsor, but operates on nearly half the budget. He presented research that the median income of West Windsor is about $151,000, compared to East Windsor’s $73,000. “The budget isn’t driven by population, it’s driven by income and the perception that residents can afford it,” he said. But when asked by council where to make cuts, Mr. Church responded, “I don’t even know if this is fixable. I just throw my hands up at it.”
   ”All I heard was a smorgasbord of excuses,” said resident Pete Weale.
   Public hearing on the budget is scheduled for May 16.