|
|
Vol. LXV, No. 11
|
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
|
|
|
|
Vol. LXV, No. 11
|
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
|
Money — with regard to next year’s budget, pool appropriations, and capital requests — was the theme of Monday night’s Township Committee meeting.
With a budget presentation scheduled for the next meeting, Mayor Chad Goerner spoke of “sharpening our pencils and coming up with a budget that is appropriate for this year, anticipates coming years, and maintains the Township’s triple-A bond rating.”
While the “good news” is that the Township will be receiving the same level of state aid as it did last year, Mr. Goerner noted that preliminary budgets have included “some type” of increase. He reminded Committee members that a zero increase budget had been discussed in the past and should also be an option at the formal budget presentation.
“Unequivocally,” responded Township Administrator Jim Pascale. He acknowledged the participation of the Citizens’ Finance Advisory Committee in preparing the budget, describing it as “a novel and wonderful asset.”
Later, Township Committee approved the introduction of a bond ordinance making a supplemental appropriation of $2,053,500 for the installation of a new pool. Township Attorney Ed Schmierer described the ordinance as a matter of “housekeeping.”
“We’re moving from conceptual to actual on a pretty aggressive timeline,” explained Mr. Schmierer. Since the Township acts as the Recreation Department’s banker, Township will be responsible for overseeing eventual contracts for the pool. The money does not represent a new appropriation, Mr. Schmierer observed; it simply puts funds in Township coffers to enable it to pay bills. He said that he expects the Borough to foot its share of the bills in a timely manner.
A resolution for “Supplemental Professional Services Agreements” for pool work was also approved, and since these agreements also reflect Township’s role as “authorizing agent” for pool expenses, the Borough will not be passing a companion resolution. Township committee approved agreements with Cambridge Construction Management, Inc., of Somerville, not to exceed $19,000; and a maximum allocation of $119,226 to Brandstetter Carroll, Inc., in Lexington, Kentucky.
In a work session, Township Engineer Bob Kiser and Sewer Operating Committee Manager/Engineer Bob Hough presented requests for road improvements and equipment purchases in the next year totaling $2,527,000. Mr. Hough noted that two of the projects will be receiving money through a New Jersey Environmental Infrastructure Financing Program loan program at a particularly good rate.
Spirit of Princeton representative Ray Wadsworth announced that this year’s Memorial Day parade will take place on Saturday, May 28; Flag Day will be celebrated at Township Hall on June 14 at noon; Veterans Day will be observed on Friday, November 11, at 11 a.m. at the monument on Mercer Street; and Independence Day fireworks will be held at Palmer Stadium on Friday, July 1. Unlike other municipalities observing these and similar events, Spirit of Princeton activities proceed without support from Borough or Township taxpayers, and the organization welcomes contributions.