Town Talk

State aid and grants fund budget

Township Committee members Ken Francis, Bonnie Quesnel, Mike Roberts and Deputy Mayor Joe Pryzwara have approved the introduction of the township's budget for the year 2000 which maintains a stable tax rate for the 1lth consecutive year and continues to keep our local government completely debt free.

In 1999, the total property tax bill for the school, county and fire commission increased nine per cent. The total increase for the year will not be known until after the residents vote on the school budget in April.

While the Township Committee has not asked the local property owner to pay increased taxes for the past 11 years, there has been significant increases to our budget and spending which was paid for by the township committee obtaining additional state aid and grants.

Since 1991, the township committee's bud get and spending has increased from $1.6 million to $3.6 million, an increase of $2 million to provide for the township's public health, safety, welfare and .capital improvements, all of which has been paid for by more state aid and grants, not local taxes.

Local residents are reminded to complete and mail your federal census questionnaires in March. If the township committee is to continue having in creased state aid and grants pay for our budget and spending increases of $2 million, rather than local taxpayers, we need your support. Remember, to be under counted is to be under funded.

The first Wednesday of each month, (March 1), I am at our new library from 7 to 8 pm. to meet residents and listen to concerns.

The next meeting of the Township Committee is February 28.