By Doug Carman, Staff Writer
East Windsor finalized its 2011 budget Tuesday evening, making the $39 municipal tax increase for the average township homeowner official. Hightstown residents, however, will have to wait for that assurance that their taxes are staying put this year.
The East Windsor Township Council voted 5-0 to approve a $20.2 million “maintenance budget,” using East Windsor Mayor Janice Mironov’s phrase, which called for no new programs or changes in staffing anywhere in the township. Council members Marc Lippman and Al Rosenberg were absent.
The budget is, however, larger than 2010’s $19.8 spending plan. Almost all of the increase comes from a $530,000 increase in the township’s pension payments. That increase, Mayor Mironov told the council, amounted to about 2 cents of the 39.79 cents per $100 of assessed property value that taxpayers will have to pay this year.
Also affecting the budget is a $14 million decline in the ratable base for property in the township.
”This represents a fiscally responsible budget,” Mayor Mironov said during the council meeting prior to its approval.
Hightstown previously presented a $6.27 million budget that maintained last year’s 87.7-cent tax rate.
Council President Isabel McGinty said she sought more clarification on some wording found within the budget proposal during a council meeting held Tuesday. A vote on the budget was tabled.
Hightstown Mayor Steven Kirson said during an interview at his office on Wednesday that he expects the budget to pass soon.
”It’s the first time in 14 years we’re not going to have an increase in property taxes,” Mayor Kirson said.

