By Lea Kahn, Staff Writer
Plainsboro Township Committee introduced its proposed $27.5 million budget for 2017 last week, clearing the way for a public hearing and final action at the committee’s April 26 meeting., The 2017 spending plan, as introduced, anticipates a $68 annual increase in the municipal property tax on a house assessed at the township average of $451,500., The proposed budget is $143,594 more than the 2016 budget of $27.4 million, said Township Administrator Anthony Cancro. Salary hikes and an increase in the cost of health benefits account for some of it., Mayor Peter Cantu and Township Committee were pleased with the proposed budget., “Great job. This is remarkable,” Mayor Cantu said., The major source of revenue to support the budget is the municipal property tax, which is expected to generate $16.4 million., Other sources of income include $1.6 million in state aid, $1.3 million in miscellaneous revenues (including fees and permits, alcoholic beverage licenses and Municipal Court fines), and $2.3 million in surplus funds., The budget also anticipates $4.8 million in revenue from “other special items,” including $1.2 million in hotel taxes and $75,000 for the “hospital impact fee” for the Medical Center of Princeton at Plainsboro., The budget also includes payments in lieu of taxes totaling $1.5 million from St. Joseph’s Seminary, the Princeton Medical Arts Pavilion, the Princeton Fitness and Wellness Center and the Merwick Care and Rehabilitation Center., Finally, the 2017 capital budget earmarks money to replace the fire alarm system in the Municipal Building and to replace radios for the Police Department., Other capital budget items include security cameras for the interior and exterior of the Municipal Building, computer equipment, the road maintenance program and Plainsboro Road improvements.
