GOP says Dems’ budget decision will cost town

BY JESSICA SMITH Staff Writer

MILLTOWN – Though a zero tax increase is often seen as cause for celebration, some Milltown Republicans are saying it came at too high a cost.

The Borough Council adopted the 2007 municipal budget at its Sept. 10 meeting. Several council members expressed pride in what they called a bipartisan effort, which involved dipping into surplus monies in the town’s various departments. The majority of the needed funds came from the electrical surplus, though enough money was left in that account to cover needs that arise, according to Democratic Councilman Bill Deinzer, liaison to the utilities department.

“The surplus is the people of Milltown’s money,” Deinzer said. “We still have enough in surplus.”

Republican Councilman Randy Farkas, who voted against adopting the budget, disagreed.

“To leave $112,000 in the surplus in case of an emergency is poor fiscal policy,” Farkas said. “We are one major weather event away from disaster.”

Farkas criticized the Democrats on the council, saying their plan would be to bond in case of an emergency.

“Ultimately, we are going to saddle the taxpayers with the costs of borrowing money,” Farkas said. “I’m deeply concerned for the residents of this borough.”

Republican council candidates Brian Harto and Stacy Waters, along with Ed Winant, manager of the Milltown Republican Campaign Committee, expressed similar concerns.

“Our utility rates are going to skyrocket beginning Jan. 1, 2008, and this council just depleted the utility surplus knowing full well that Milltown’s cost for electricity was going to double,” Harto and Waters wrote in a press release.

Along with eight other New Jersey towns, Milltown purchases a bulk rate for electricity as part of an association. Each time their contract ends, the town enters into negotiations for a new rate, Deinzer said.

According to Harto and Waters, electrical rates in town are slated to rise by about 80 percent. Deinzer refuted their claim, saying that although no definitive numbers are in from the borough auditor, he does not foresee that much of an increase.

“It is irresponsible to deplete the surplus that could provide relief to our residents,” Harto and Waters wrote. “The Democratcontrolled council took the easy way out by raiding surpluses that are there for sound financial reasons.”

Council President Eric Steeber, a Democrat, defended the actions of the council.

“Is it irresponsible to give taxpayers their money back? I don’t think so,” Steeber said. “Obviously, their philosophy is to take money from people and hold onto it, even if they don’t need it.”

Steeber pointed out that the two Republican councilmen, along with Republican Mayor Gloria Bradford, had the opportunity provide input on the budget every step of the way. He also said he solicited recommendations from the public throughout the process.

“My question is, where were [Harto and Waters] when Eric Steeber opened it up to the public,” Deinzer asked. “Are they upset that there’s a zero [increase in the] municipal tax rate? Most people would be happy about it.”

Harto, Waters and Winant questioned why the escalating electrical rate has not been discussed publicly at a council meeting. According to both Deinzer and Steeber, the numbers are simply not in yet. Steeber said he will present a statement setting the new rates at the next council meeting.

“We’re not hiding anything,” Deinzer said. “I know I’ve made announcements at council meetings that we’re going into negotiations.”

Both sides of the debate made claims that the other parties have political motivations. According to the Republicans involved, the Democrats created a zero-tax-increase municipal budget in order to look good to voters, while residents will end up paying more in the long run.

“I think this is only a poor attempt to make good on a campaign promise they knew they couldn’t keep,” Farkas said.

According to Deinzer and Steeber, the Republicans are grasping at straws to find something negative to say.

“It’s unfortunate that this is the only thing their candidates have to talk about. ‘Gee, you didn’t raise taxes,’” Steeber said. “Basically, they’re saying, ‘You should have raised taxes.’”