On April 17, Medford residents will have a ballot choice that could either increase property taxes or sacrifice municipal trash collection in the 2012 budget.
At a township meeting on Tuesday, March 20, residents filled the courtroom nearly to capacity to voice their varied opinions on the subject.
If the referendum at hand passes next month, the average township homeowner, whom recently had their houses’ values reassessed, can expect a $344 property tax increase rather than the previously stated surge of $450 or more.
Still reeling from what officials have described as more than a half a decade of flawed government operations and recent government cuts due to the resulting financial crisis, the new mayor and council members feel the referendum would be the best option for the future success of Medford.
Mayor James “Randy” Pace said during the meeting the council considers the best interests of all members of the public when making decisions, rather than a select few — and challenged dissenters to “do something better.”
Medford Chief of Police Richard Meder, whose department endured four more layoffs last month, said council members have maintained the same message at each public meeting.
“I think it was consistent with all the meetings that we’ve had,” he said. “It was a positive thing to see that the budget gap is dwindling.”
In 2009, the department had 49 officers on staff.
“Currently, we’re at 28 officers,” the chief said, four of which are on loan to outside entities.
A police lieutenant will be retiring at the end of this month as well, he said.
“I don’t think Medford’s going to feel the full effects of the lost police officers for some time,” said Meder of the recent layoffs.
The department used to be “proactive,” he said. Now, the force can only be “reactive” to residents’ needs — going call by call to each issue based on the priority level of the issue.
“People are going to have to understand that they’re going to have to wait longer than they have in the past,” he said. “It’s not a first come, first serve.”
Resident Donna Symons worries about the recent police layoffs and said she’s “not sure they are adequately staffed” anymore.
“This concern is not being addressed in the referendum,” she said in an email.
However, she is agreeable with the referendum’s terms.
“I do think the referendum is the right course for Medford at this time,” she said. “I believe the residents need to attend meetings, visit the municipal website to learn the facts, enabling them to make a valid decision. I would prefer not to have trash pick up eliminated. A more uniform method of one vendor will deter potential aesthetic consequences.”
Tom Corbi of Medford wants the public to be adequately informed about the consequences of voting one way or another.
Corbi is creating a document with FAQs free-of-charge as a courtesy, not an election campaign contribution, to be distributed throughout the community to aid that venture.
“We’re really trying to get the clarity out there,” he said.
The director and past president of the Headwater Village Civic Association has been forming the Medford Homeowners Association Alliance (MHAA) to set up a board of directors between the residential areas of the town as a united, non-partisan, not-for-profit front for information sharing.
That board will be meeting April 1.
“No matter how you vote, please vote,” he urged. “That’s the most important thing. Everybody should vote.”
Corbi believes the council has been doing its best to steer the town into a positive direction.
“They are dedicated, diligent patriots for the cause of these people,” he said of the members. “They’re trying to do the right thing. It’s very difficult to undo eight years in eight weeks.”
He said the issue at hand is a “wonderful opportunity” for Medford residents to make a difference in the community.
“It’s a chance to make a little history,” he said.
If the town chooses to accept the referendum and thus retain collection of trash, township manager Christopher Schultz said the council would potentially be looking into more affordable trash removal options.
Currently, 11 percent of the 2012 budget is allocated to municipal services, which was worrisome to numerous residents at the meeting.
Schultz said that if the referendum passes, the budget gap for the township would be closer in number to surrounding towns in New Jersey.
He believes it will take about two years to straighten finances in the town, and said the rating from Moody’s was not a downgrade last year, that the town was placed on a watch list.
Councilman Chris Buoni said: “We need businesses in Medford” to help generate additional revenue.
If the referendum does not pass, the council has until April 30 to decide on its next move.
Pace says he won’t give up on Medford.
On April 17, he said, “Medford Township has a choice.”
