Cherry Hill Township residents have flat municipal taxes for the second year in a row, following council’s adoption of the budget at last week’s meeting.
The approval of the budget was met with disagreement from Republican council candidates Stephen Cohen and John Galie.
Cohen questioned if the township anticipated a shortfall in anticipated revenue, inquiring about the $5 million in surplus the township intended for the 2014 budget.
Business administrator Lenore Rosner assured Cohen there would be no shortfalls, and the surplus is historically used for a portion of the budget the following year.
Galie expressed his unhappiness with the budgeted $14 million in surplus, noting it was “excessive” for the township to ask residents to pay $44 million in taxes.
According to Rosner, the surplus keeps the township on “solid financial ground,” adding the township had no surplus in past years.
The $64.7 million budget includes a spending decrease of $542,000 compared to last year’s budget.
“This budget continues to give Cherry Hill taxpayers a responsible and efficient government,” Mayor Chuck Cahn said. “We have kept taxes stable and reduced government spending, while continuing to provide a high level of programs and services.”
According to Cahn, the budget reflects a savings on debt services, the continued use of grants to offset taxpayer dollars in funding services and an investment in infrastructure.
“It allocates $8.3 million for capital improvements, including $3.4 million for the maintenance of 260 miles of township roads, $2 million for sewer upgrades and more than $570,000 for parks and recreational services,” Cahn said.
Cahn noted a strong tax collection yielded a good credit rating for the township.
“Council is proud to deliver Cherry Hill taxpayers a budget that is both fiscally responsible and provides the best possible programs and services,” council president David Fleisher said in a township release. “Together with the mayor, we remain committed to the kind of innovative thinking and smart money management that will stabilize the municipal taxes now and in the future.”
Additional members of the council commented “how proud” they were for having “such a successful budget.”
In other news:
• Council passed a resolution for an in-house salt brine system.
The system allows public works officials to mix the substance in-house and apply it while still on the job, according to communications director Bridget Palmer.
“One of the benefits is that it will save the township money,” Palmer said. “The product is cheaper than the salt/sand system we’ve used in the past.”
The brine can be applied up to eight hours prior to the weather event, saving money on overtime hours, according to Palmer.
According to the resolution, the system will cost $232,800.
The contract is being awarded to Roger Wuestefeld of Marlton.
• A resolution was passed to increase the final amount of the 2012 road maintenance program project.
According to the resolution, a contract in the amount of $1.9 million was awarded to Lexa Concrete LLC for the project, last October. Council approved an additional $5,075 for the project.
• Two proclamations were given to community members.
The first was given to the Woodcrest Pool Volleyball Red Team.
It was awarded for a successful season.
The second was awarded to emergency management coordinator Kevin Seta, for National Preparedness Month.
The township honored Seta for encouraging residents to be prepared for any situation that may be presented.
“In recent years we’ve seen several natural disasters hit our area,” Seta said. “It’s important for residents to be prepared and aware of ways they can sustain during power outages, cold streaks or anything that can put them in danger.”
•The next township council meeting is scheduled for Oct. 15
at 7:30 p.m. for more information, visit www.cherryhill-nj.com.
