SOUTH BRUNSWICK – Township budget talks continue

By Mary Brienza, Staff Writer
   Despite being on the Township Council agenda for April 12, the council tabled voting on the proposed 2011 budget until this Tuesday in order to finish working on it.
   ”We’re not ready to adopt (the budget),” Mayor Frank Gambatese said during the meeting in March when the $46.5 million spending plan was first on the meeting schedule for final adoption.
   The proposed budget currently comes with an 8-cent per $100 of assessed value increase in the tax rate that would amount to about $160 more in property taxes for the owner of an average township home valued at $190,000, according to officials.
   The proposed budget is within the 3.5 percent spending cap and the 2 percent tax levy cap, has $1 million less in spending than last year, Township Manager Matt watkins said during the plan’s introduction March 8.
   Utilities are self-liquidating for the first time since 2007 in spite of the 13.5 percent increase in consumption in 2010, Mr. Watkins said when presenting the budget.
   During the April 12 meeting, Mr. Gambatese said that there is a misconception regarding some of the money budgeted for the police department. Officials said that the $1.5 million police upgrade is not just for the E-ticket program.
   The police upgrade will also include a new 911 system, a radio repeater system, and new dispatch equipment, officials said. The E-ticket program will cost no more than $50,000, officials said.
   The public works and utility departments presented in front of the council during the budget meeting on April 12.
   The budget is scheduled to be voted on by the council Tuesday night.