By Charles W. Kim, Managing Editor
Township Council members are working to chip away at an increase in the 2012 municipal budget.
”We are moving in the right direction,” Councilman Joe Camarota said during a budget meeting Tuesday night. “We want to get as close to zero as we can.”
Mr. Camarota said the council has reduced the proposed tax increase of 5.5 cents per $100 of assessed valuation down to 3.9 cents and hopes that amount also will decrease.
If passed today, that would mean a tax increase of about $75 for the owner of a $190,000 home.
The governing body had its first look at the proposed $47.3 million budget for 2012 during a presentation by Township Manager Bernard Hvozdovic and financial officer Joe Monzo Feb. 7.
Mr. Monzo said at the time that continued tax appeals, mostly in the commercial sector, have dropped the overall value of the township again in 2011, dropping from $3.7 billion in 2010 to $3.6 billion in 2011. That 2.4 percent loss translates to a loss of $935,000 in local tax revenues, which is 2 cents per $100 of assessed valuation, according to the presentation in February.
The council has been meeting since the presentation with the heads of each of the departments and is working to bring the proposed increase down.
In the last two budget meetings, the council has heard from Public Works, police and recreation.
During the budget meeting Feb. 21, Public Works Director Ray Olsen said his department, containing seven divisions, would try and maintain services with about $140,000 less to work with.
”We tried to hold the line on many items,” Mr. Olsen said.
Some of the areas that would increase this year are buildings and grounds due to planned improvements to the Senior Center in the municipal complex and additional expenses in the vehicle maintenance division due to serving the town’s first aid squads for ambulance repairs, according to Mr. Olsen.
Police Chief Raymond Hayducka also addressed the council during that meeting and said the department was operating with 73 out of 82 officers on the job.
The poor economic climate, Chief Hayducka said, has caused an increase in some types of crimes as individuals find it harder to get the money they need to support addictive habits..
”We do have an increase in crime,” Chief Hayducka said. “Heroin and prescription drug (addictions) have increased burglaries.”
This week, council members discussed spending with recreation Director Tom Morris.
That department, despite rougher economic times, has seen an increase in revenue of around $200,000 in fees from more people signing up for programs.
”We are a healthy and active community,” Mr. Morris said.
Councilman John O’Sullivan and Mayor Frank Gambatese both said the programs offered in South Brunswick have made the Recreation Department a model for other communities in the state and nation.
”You are doing a great job; keep up the good work,” Mayor Gambatese said.
The public budget meetings take place at 6 p.m. Tuesdays and will continue until the council formally introduces the budget this month.

