A balanced budget was presented to borough officials on Tuesday night. Amendments to the budget bring the total down to $25.6 million, or a 3.4 percent increase.
The amendments cut enough spending $326,000 to offset a tax increase. The original budget figure was $25.9 million, or a 4.8 percent increase that included a 1 cent increase in municipal taxes. The tax rate in the borough will remain at $.468 per $100 of assessed value.
”The borough government is not using any more tax dollars than we did last year to support our operating budget,” said Robert Bruschi, borough administrator.
Surplus funds, $800,000, will be used to mitigate some of the expenses in the budget and control the tax increase. Mr. Bruschi feels the borough will be able to replenish the money by the end of the year so the surplus funds remain at $2.8 million.
Cuts include:
$42,059 in library operating budget
$81,000 in interest on notes
$125,000 from the NJ EIT program with no new debt schedule from the state
$47,150 in engineering salaries and wages due to a vacancy and new hire that is being paid less than budgeted
$28,709 in administration salaries and wages for an unfilled position
$26,591 in first aid contributions, which is part of an existing agreement.
Areas with increases in spending include:
$822,602 in the library tax
The budget will have a public hearing and possible adoption at the borough’s next meeting on April 26.

