PLUMSTED		TOWNSHIP
Pride in Plumsted, the State's Center

Town Talk

At a special meeting of the Township Committee on June 25th, Plumsted Township's 2010 Municipal Budget was officially adopted with no tax increase in the rate or dollars. Although the public hearing was actually held at the regularly scheduled Township meeting of June 2nd, the required review and approval from State officials was not received until June 24th.

Residents were informed by the Mayor and Township Committee that this year's budget was reduced by $663,000, from last year's $3.7 million to $3.1 million. The municipal tax rate will remain unchanged at 11 cents per $100 of assessed valuation. Due to a slight decline in the assessed value of the Township's ratables, the total amount of tax dollars to be collected in 2010 will be reduced by $5,000, from $1.195 million to $1.190 million in 2010.

Since 2007, the cumulative loss in state aid to the municipal budget has been more than $675,000. The 2010 municipal budget reflects one (1) layoff of a full-time employee in the Construction Department; wage and salary freezes; furloughs (days without pay); and the closing of the Municipal Building's administrative offices on the third Friday of each month.

The Township's one collective bargaining unit, the P.B.A., that represents 11 of the 13 uniformed Police Officers, is currently in negotiations with the Township, since the contract expired on December 31, 2009. Both the Township and the PBA have agreed to enter into the arbitration process with the first meeting scheduled for August 20th.

Due to the budget constraints, the annual fireworks display for Independence Day will not be funded with any taxpayer dollars. Rather, this year's fireworks festival on Saturday, July 3rd, at the New Egypt High School field, beginning in the afternoon at 2:00 pm, is sponsored by the Mckaig-Test-Mullen American Legion Post #455 and totally paid for with private contributions from local residents and businesses, including, Blacey's Auto Parts; Agway and the Bohonyi Corporation; Emery's Berry Farm; Plumsted Business & Merchants Association; Herman's Trucking; Frank Myroncuk & Son House Movers; and New Egypt Flea Market Village & Auction.

Pending approval of the State Budget, the Ocean County Board of Taxation is expected to certify the amount of taxes to be raised in each Municipality and give authorization for the new property tax bills to be printed and mailed. Residents should receive their new property tax bills by mid-July, if the State budget is passed by the end of June.

The municipal government portion of the property tax bill is approximately 7% of a total property tax bill and is the only portion totally controlled by the Mayor and Township Committee. The other 93% consists of school taxes, county taxes and fire district taxes. At this point in time, the Township can only provide residents with an "unofficial estimate" as to the total amount for the 2010 property tax bills to be mailed in July.

An unofficial estimate of the 2010 total property tax is based upon the following information. No tax increase in the Township Committee's municipal government portion of the property tax bill. The Township Committee reduced the proposed total school tax increase from nearly 5% down to 2% . The Township Committee reduced the fire district tax increase to one-half of one percent. Ocean County government taxes, including the County Health Department and County Library, are estimated to increase one-half of one percent. Given these estimates, the entire property tax bill in Plumsted Township has been limited to a 3% increase which is below the State's tax cap law limit of 4%.

The State-wide average for total property tax bills is $7,281. With a 3% increase in 2010, the average for all Plumsted Township total property tax bills should be $5,875 or $1,406 below the State average. The average residential home's assessed value in Plumsted Township is $384,000. With no tax increase, the Township Committee's municipal government portion of the property tax bill remains the same as last year's $422 for the average residential home. At $422 a year, Plumsted Township has the lowest municipal government property tax of the 33 Municipalities in Ocean County.

The Mayor encourages residents to contact him anytime with questions, suggestions or concerns at 758-3497 Home / 758-2241 x 102 Township / email r.s.dancer@att.net.

Meet personally with the Mayor at the Library on the second Wednesday of each month (June 9) from 7 to 9 pm to discuss local concerns or State issues. Residents may call the Library (758-7888) in advance to schedule a specific time for your convenience.

The most effective weapon against terrorism is you. If you suspect it – report it. Call 1-866-4-SAFE-NJ or email: TIPS@NJHOMELANDSECURITY.GOV

Sign up for Plumsted Township’s free “E-Mail News Alert Service” by applying at
http://www.plumsted.net/subscribe.aspx  

Browse the Township website: www.Plumsted.org for more information and current events and use the online "Suggestion Box.".

Contact the State Legislative Office

For Federal issues, contact our Congressman Chris Smith at 609-585-7878 and for County matters, contact Freeholder Director Gerry Little at 1-800-722-0291. Browse the Township website: www.plumsted.org and www.mainstreetne.org or www.downtownnewegyptnpp.org for more information and current events.

Ron Dancer, Mayor

609-758-2241 Township - Ext 102

609-758-3497 Home

Email: r.s.dancer@att.net

www.plumsted.org