By Linda Seida, Staff Writer
WEST AMWELL — The Township Committee on April 18 unanimously agreed to introduce a nearly $3.16 million budget that will maintain the tax rate at about 22 cents per $100 of assessed value.
”We will hold the line, which is good,” said Chief Financial Officer Thomas Carro. “You don’t see that in too many places; you see 3 and 4 cents” as a tax rate increase.
Last year, the tax rate was 21.8 cents per $100 of assessed valuation. The proposed tax rate for 2011 is 22.3 cents.
The tax levy, which is raised through local property taxes, would be $1,202,562. That’s $32,315 more than last year’s tax levy of $1,170,247.
The committee will hold a public hearing on the budget at 7 p.m. on May 25 at the municipal building, 150 Rocktown-Lambertville Road.
Under the proposed spending plan, the owner of a house assessed at the average of $456,213 would pay about $1,017 in property taxes to support township services.
Last year, when the average assessment was $455,845, the average homeowner paid $1,011.
The budget includes a 30 percent increase in pension payments for police and firefighters and public employees, going from $100,000 last year to $130,000 this year, Mr. Carro said. “The state bills us,” he said. “The township has no recourse with that.”
To help prevent a tax increase, the township appropriated $160,000 from the Open Space Trust Fund to pay debt service on the cost of land preservation, Mr. Carro said.
He emphasized these funds cannot be used for any other purpose in the township, such as road repairs or vehicle purchases.
”Why tax the people when you have this sitting there?” Mr. Carro said. “The people don’t get hit.”
In addition, the committee approved the 2011 Open Space Trust Fund. The fund totals $500,000.
The total breaks down into three categories.
Maintenance of open space properties will be allocated $17,500. Payment of bond principal is allocated $258,460. Interest on bonds will total $224,040.

