Public Hearing Precedes Council Vote on 2008 Municipal Budget

Dilshanie Perera

Princeton Borough Council met last night (after Town Topics press time) to consider the public’s view of the 2008 municipal budget and to vote on the adoption of the budget.

The new budget was introduced on June 24 by a 4-2 vote. Council members Roger Martindell and Barbara Trelstad voted against the introduction while council members David Goldfarb, Margaret Karcher, Andrew Koontz, and Kevin Wilkes voted for it.

The new budget includes a five-cent (or five percent) increase in the tax rate per $100 of the assessed value of a home. Borough staff initially recommended a six-cent increase, but after discussion on June 24, a five-cent increase was proposed.

During that time, Mr. Goldfarb and Ms. Karcher cautioned against taking money out of the surplus to reduce the tax rate, saying that it would prove problematic in later years. Mr. Martindell opposed the increase during a recession, lamenting that the “taxpayer is being asked to pay five percent for the municipal budget, which is in excess of the amount of inflation.” He cited the budget review process as inadequate.

A report of last night’s meeting will be included in next week’s issue of Town Topics.

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