Michael Dauber of Bordentown Township
To the editor:
The Board of Education, once again failed to be accountable and fiscally responsible to the taxpayers.
Members passed the $40 million dollar budget by a 5-3 vote with little discussion from the members.
This budget includes a 106 percent, increase for Township residents, which is more than double last years increase.
Only Mr. Drew, Mrs. Wehrman, and Mr. Hartmann were willing to stand with the taxpayers and voted “No.”
The other five members present rubber-stamped the budget while Mr. Potts, a Township representative, missed his 4th consecutive meeting. One of my main contention points with the budget is the diversion of solar revenue and energy savings.
These revenues were intended to offset the cost of the solar/field bond payments and offer the taxpayers relief. Even after the BOE knew that the solar system was too small, it would not save as much energy as they advertised, and would not produce as much revenue.
Yet members still voted to divert the revenue away from the bond payments.
The advertised “free to the taxpayer” solar bond is far from free and we have been making payments through higher taxes since its inception.
The solar system will never fully cover the bond payments and the taxpayers will have to pay the debt.
The BOE could lessen that impact by returning the income and energy savings back to its original intended purpose of debt service, but they refuse to do so.I estimate that additional funds of approximately $100,000 to $120,000 could be allocated for the bond payment in this budget.
I have pleaded with the BOE to be accountable and responsible to the taxpayers and reallocate these funds, but once again, they refuse to the public. Once the bond is paid off after 2025, they could use the money however, they want.
Until then, 100 percent of any revenue should be used for taxpayer relief.
Michael Dauber
Bordentown Township

