The budget was introduced at the Town Council meeting held on Tuesday, March 7.
After much planning and two budget meetings earlier in the year, Medford Town Council introduced the 2017 municipal budget at its meeting last week. This year’s proposed budget totals $20.46 million.
With a sum just a couple hundred thousand less than last year’s budget of $20.63 million, there will still be a number of beneficial additives the town plans to implement over the course of the next year. Additionally, council plans to maintain no tax increase on the municipal budget for the fifth consecutive year.
If this budget is approved as introduced, it will reduce the open space tax from 3 cents to 2.5 cents per $100 of assessed property value, and will use the budgetary funds to hire two additional police officers. With a number of officers eligible for retirement in the next few years, these hirings will provide the new officers with the time and training necessary to succeed in patrol. Council has additionally built the promotion of a lieutenant and a sergeant into this year’s budget.
“I discussed with council years ago after a downsizing that having between 35 and 38 officers is ideal to give me the ability to have the appropriate manpower, supervision and staffing throughout our various units,” Chief Richard Meder said.
Despite the firefighter layoffs that occurred i within the past 10 years, council also wishes to hire a new firefighter to better ensure the preparedness of the department, and it plans to purchase a new fire command vehicle. It also intends to hire a new inspector for its tax inspectors office.
“This is to make that office more efficient and to keep our tax inspections up-to-date so we’re not 26 years out like we were last time, [when] everybody had surprises, whether they were good or bad,” Mayor Charles Watson said.
Within the proposed budget, $2.5 million will be used for road repairs, ranging from the bigger roads to numerous neighborhood roads as well. Other funds will be used to purchase a dump truck for the Public Works Department,and a new ambulance to keep the emergency fleet safe.
“They answer an awful lot of calls in those ambulances,” Watson said. “2,400 calls last year, that’s a lot of calls.”
Overall, the mayor commended his fellow councilmembers and the township staff on completing this year’s budget, and especially in maintaining no tax increase. As in years past, council also recognized the efforts of Township Manager Kathy Burger.
“It’s a team effort, everyone,” Burger said.
Council has sent its budget to the state, and once the state approves the budget, council will be able to approve it on final reading.
