Budget introduced last night at township meeting

The Cranford Township Committee introduced a budget last night that will increase taxes an average of $204 on homes assessed at the average $181, 740.

In actuality, the tax increase will be $14, but that's because the township plans to introduce a new sewer fee,  as opposed to having it added to the tax bill.

Thus, the sewer fee for the next fiscal year will amount to $190 for individual users.

The sewer charge is meant to offset the $1.5 million the township pays yearly to the RVSA (Rahway Valley Sewer Association). 

Back in May, the Cranford Township Committee agreed to cut 1.4 million dollars from the municipal budget after individual department heads were told to pare down their spending plans.

One of the major setbacks earlier in the year came when the state decided to cut aid to municipalities, with Cranford losing $750,000 in the final tally.

Throughout the process, many changes have been made to the budget that included decisions to leave vacant positions unfilled. There will also be no salary increase, and some employees will be furloughed for seven days.

Both the sewer fee and the municipal budget will have their public hearing and final reading during the July 20 meeting of the Township Committee.

The voting on the budget was close, with Mayor Mark Smith, Finance Commissioner Mark Dugan and Deputy Mayor Martha Garcia voting in favor of the introduction of the budget.

Commissioners Dan Aschenbach and David Robinson opposed both the budget and the introduction of the sewer tax.

While some criticized the new sewer fee, Dugan said that without this new fee, township services "would have been crippled and your taxes would have remained the same." The new fee is being implemented to meet the state budget cap.

The sewer fee of $190 would be apply to residential and non-residential properties, as well as multi-dwelling units and non-profit organizations, including houses of worship. It excludes all Board of Education properties.

55% of the budget will go to the Board of Education, 27% to municipal services and 18% to the county.

While there have been cuts to salaries, the Police and Fire personnel would see their salaries increase in 2010 because of the current collective bargaining agreement, but in recently agreeing to a new contract, there will not be a salary increase in 2011 for either department.

The committee also notes that the vacant Solomon Schecter School on Orange Avenue, sold by the township many years ago, will be re-acquired for $1.9 million. The building will be razed by its' current owner.

There are no definitive plans for the 3.7 acre site.