LETTER: Vote ‘yes’ for Bordentown Township municipal referendum

George Chidley, Bordentown
   I urge the residents of Bordentown Township to support the local referendum to allow creation of a municipal budget in excess of the new 2% tax cap. Bordentown Township for more than 12 years has been tenacious in its efforts to control the local purpose tax. The local purpose tax relates directly to your municipal budget, which provides, police, EMS, parks, roads, infrastructure repair/improvement, snow removal, mowing in common areas, code enforcement, clerk services, planning board, zoning board, environmental commission, veterans advisory board, senior services, annual fishing derby, community day activities, veterans day ceremonies national night and trash removal to name a few. The local purpose tax provides the biggest bang for the buck, when you compare it to school district, county and fire taxes. All of the aforementioned services contribute the our sense of place, well being and add to the value of each residents home. What would your home be worth with out these municipal services?
   For those not aware, the township has entered into agreements with the City of Bordentown for EMS, court services and storm drain cleaning, all of which have saved the township hundreds of thousands of dollars since their execution. The Township and City are currently studying savings related to police services and dispatch through a grant from the State.
   Over the last decade, while your school district and county have been purchasing new equipment, handing out 3%, 4% and 5% staff raises, the Township has lived within its means. The Township has been repairing rather than replacing vehicles and equipment and providing reasonable 3%, 2% and for the last several years zero raises. The Township Committee stipend has been flat for over the same period and is less than that of your local fire commissioners. In addition, the Township has combined staff responsibilities and reduced the number of employees to keep the payroll lean and taxes lower.
   Unfortunately, our community is faced with the perfect storm in the form of a declining economy, reduced State aid and grants, declining property values and municipal investments, while at the same time costs continue to escalate for trash removal, road and facility maintenance, infrastructure, vehicle repair/replacement, vehicle fuel, gas, electric, insurance, pension and open space/park improvements. The Township has been zero budgeting for years and making due with what they have to save the residents money. For example, the average age of a municipal police car is 10 years and more than 120,000 miles.
   I proffer to you now that the Township cannot continue to provide the same level of service to the residents without passage of the April referendum. It is all too easy to say cut staff, cut services, furlough the workers. Keep in mind that these hard working, dedicated and often poorly compensated employees, work tirelessly to provide you with an optimum level of exemplary service. Where do you cut? Police services, EMS, roads, parks, senior services, trash removal, more community activities? What are you willing to live without? Keep in mind that any services cut today will not be reinstated later given the state imposed restrictions and caps on the municipal budget. Take the time to examine the facts related to this referendum and vote “YES”!