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SOUTH BRUNSWICK – Voters approve school budget

Del Piano, Patel and Robinson win board terms

By Mary Brienza and Charles W. Kim, Staff Writers

Voters passed the school district’s $134 million budget Wednesday by more than 600 votes.
The spending plan, which carries a 12.2 cent per $100 of assessed valuation tax increase, was approved by a vote of 2,161-1,546, according to unofficial results from the Township Clerk’s office.
“I’m really proud of our community that they understand the message we were putting out,” outgoing Board of Education member Martin Abschutz said. “I really feel great that the community supported public education.”
While the taxes went up because of decreased property values because of successful appeals, the tax levy remained the same, according to township officials.
Challengers Pat Del Piano, Deven Patel and incumbent Arthur Robinson were chosen by the voters to fill the three open Board of Education seats, according to the unofficial results. 
Mr. Del Piano received 1,822 votes; Mr. Patel came in second with 1,560 votes, followed closely by Mr. Robinson with 1,555 votes, according to the unofficial results. A total of 3,879 voters cast their ballots in the election, according to the clerk’s office.
“I guess the people spoke,” Mr. Del Piano, who unsuccessfully ran last year, said. “I’m ready to take on any challenge and I am willing to learn.”
Rounding out the field, challenger Raymond Kuehner received 1,538 votes, followed by long time incumbent Dr. Matthew Speesler with 1,422 votes, and challenger Edward Birch with 822 votes, according to the clerk’s office.
Approximately 16 percent of the township’s more than 24,000 registered voters cast their ballots in the election.
The township polls were open from 7 a.m. until 9 p.m., according to township officials.