Haddonfield commissioners gave final approval to the borough’s annual budget on Tuesday, June 23. For the second year in a row, there is no property tax increase.
The final approval was delayed due to an amendment that was approved on second reading that night. The amendment made no change to the total budget, it just changed the way the borough accounted for the water and sewer sale.
“We have no tax increase this year … so we are happy about that. We are increasing spending on much-needed items like road improvements. I would just like to thank all of my colleagues, the commissioners, as well as the borough administrator and our CFO, and everyone that is involved in the budget process,” Mayor Jeff Kasko said.
The $16.2 million spending plan represents a 5.98 percent increase over 2014, but freezes the local property tax rate for municipal purposes at the same rate. This was possible due to a healthy surplus, Kasko said.
Of the total budget, $10.1 million will be raised through property taxes. The local purpose tax rate will remain the same at 48.7 cents per $100 of assessed property value. The remainder will be raised through the collection of miscellaneous revenues, fees, delinquent taxes, surplus funds from prior years and state aid and grants.
The borough’s annual road program continues to play a large part in the annual capital budget, with the funding of $1.4 million for road reconstruction and design. Through proceeds from the sale of the water and sewer utility, the borough will be able to liquidate most of its debt. This has enabled the borough to increase the amount of cash it is using for the road program, which will allow it to complete more roads.
“This investment, which I hope to continue and increase in the future, should enable us to repair all roads that are beyond their useful life within a decade,” Commissioner John Moscatelli said in a press release.
Other major appropriation increases include costs for employee health benefits, fire hydrant service, salaries and wages, parking enforcement, casualty insurance, shade trees and a reserve for future compensated absences. Major decreases include the reserve for uncollected taxes and cost for legal and consulting services, Planning Board expenses, unemployment insurance and solid waste disposal. Borough staffing levels remain the same, except for one additional part-time parking enforcement employee.
“I am pleased to join my fellow commissioners in approving a spending plan that adequately funds important municipal programs and services … without raising property taxes,” Commissioner Neal Rochford said in a press release.
More information on the budget can be found at Borough Hall and the borough’s website www.haddnofieldnj.org.
In other news:
• Proclamations were given to Jessica Blau and Jillian Stone, past student representatives on the Human Relations Commission, for their community service and hard work with the borough.
• Commissioners approved the event permit for the New Jersey Apartment Association’s annual Amazing Race on Sept. 3, a scavenger hunt event. They also authorized the Haddonfield Crafts and Fine Arts Festival, which will be held on Saturday, July 11 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday July 12 from noon to 5 p.m.
• The borough is selling surplus no longer needed for public use in an online auction. Items being sold include automobiles, trash trucks, sound system components and a desk lamp. The items will be sold at www.govedeals.com starting July 6 and will last for about 10 days.
• Haddonfield awarded Waste Management of New Jersey, Inc. the borough’s solid waste and recyclable materials collection services. For the 2015 road program, Asphalt Paving Systems was awarded the project. American Asphalt Company, Inc. was awarded for the North Haddon Avenue parking lot improvements.
• Commissioners signed the settlement agreement between the borough and the owners of a house on Warwick Road. The house in question was not listed on the borough’s map as part of the Historic District, however, after the owners bought the house, there was some confusion as to whether it was. The case was brought before the Planning Board and came to the commissioners, who settled the matter. The settlement agreement states the house is not a part of the Historic District.
• There was no update on the Bancroft property. Commissioners assured there was no application put in yet and that they are still in talks with Recovery Centers of America.
• The next Board of Commissioners meeting is scheduled for July 21 at 7:30 p.m.
