They also recognized the Sikh community and heard presentation from EMS squad
Burlington Township Council approved a resolution at its April 10 meeting amending the 2018 municipal budget that was introduced in March.
It’s another step toward the Council passing the budget, which is scheduled for final adoption at the meeting on Tuesday, April 24.
The amendment increases total general spending from about $23.8 million to $24 million and adjusts accordingly for total anticipated revenues.
Township Administrator Walter Corter said the purpose of the amendment was to factor in the cost of pension increases for municipal employees and to provide funding for emergency remediation work for two low-cost housing units the township is in the process of acquiring.
Residents will not see an increase in their municipal property taxes under the plan, Corter said. He said the rate would remain constant at 0.523 percent.
A homeowner with an averaged assessed property of $234,355 would pay $1,225.68 this year in local purpose tax under the introduced budget, according to information provided by Corter.
In other news:
· Mayor Brian Carlin read a proclamation at the meeting recognizing the Sikh community in the township and declaring April 14 “Sikh Day.” The proclamation follows a similar resolution adopted by the state.
“Our Sikh neighbors embody the spirit of family, volunteerism, community and public service that continues the traditions that have made Burlington Township a place to live and raise one’s family,” Carlin said while reading the proclamation.
About 20 members of the local Sikh community attended the meeting, including Burlington County Freeholder and former Burlington Township School Board Member Balvir Singh.
Members of the Township Council praised the Sikh community for their willingness to volunteer and be involved in events around the township.
“Your commitment to our community is going to be seen going forward,” Council President Michael Cantwell said.
Officials said the township has one of the highest populations of Sikh residents among municipalities in Burlington County.
· Township Council also heard a presentation from the Endeavor Emergency Squad, which covers Burlington Township, Burlington City, Edgewater Park and portions of Springfield Township.
Endeavor Chief Operating Officer David Ekelburg said the squad responded to 7,049 calls last year, of which 2,764, or 39 percent, were from Burlington Township. The average response time for calls for service in Burlington Township was 7.73 minutes, Ekelburg said.
He said Burlington Township calls have increased by about 20 percent since 2011, while the response time has decreased.
In 2018, the squad’s goals include further improving response times, Ekelburg said.
The township provides about $58,000 a year in funding for Endeavor, which covers about 3.3 percent of the squad’s budget, according to Ekelburg’s presentation.
