Gloucester Township will not see an increase in their taxes after last year’s 12 percent spike
Gloucester Township residents will not see a repeat of last year’s 12 percent tax hike. The council unanimously approved its budget for $59,389,202.90, which did not increase from the previous year.
This means the average Gloucester Township homeowner can expect no increase in their municipal taxes this year.
Fluctuation of taxes has become somewhat of a pattern in the township in recent years. Gloucester Township Republican Chairman Ray Polidoro mentioned a 26 percent increase in 2010, followed by a year that saw no increase.
Council President Orlando Mercado pointed out that the 2010 budget was introduced by the previous mayor, Cindy Rau-Hatton.
Last year’s spending increase was caused by a number of factors, such as an increase in salaries and wages and clean up for a pair of major storms.
Expenditures were carved out in the budget for several safe driving programs. Drive Sober Get Pulled Over and Click It or Ticket were allotted $5,000 apiece, and drunk driving enforcement was given $10,300.79.
Some $10,524.83 was allotted for police body armor.
In other news:
*The speed limit in the school zone along Blenheim-Erial Road for Blackwood Elementary School has been reduced to 25 miles per hour when children are present.
*The township wants to establish requirements about feral cats. Residents are invited to apply to be sponsors, which means they will take on the responsibility of getting community cats spayed, neutered, ear-tipped and vaccinated against rabies.
Residents can also apply to be caregivers, which means they will provide the colony with food, water and suitable shelter. It is unlawful to feed cats that have not or are not in the process of being vaccinated or neutered.
*An amended vehicles and traffic code states all vehicles must park in designated areas between the lines provided; that the parking of vehicles over eight tons gross vehicle weight is prohibited at all times except for deliveries; and that the parking of vehicles, boats or trailers with the intent to display for sale is prohibited at all times.
