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NORTH HANOVER TOWNSHIP
TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE MEETING
SPECIAL BUDGET WORKSHOP MINUTES
FEBRUARY 23, 2019, 9:00 A.M.
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor DeBaecke called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
FLAG SALUTE:
Led by Mayor DeBaecke
ROLL CALL: Mayor DeBaecke Deputy Mayor O’Donnell Committeeman DeLorenzo Committeeman Doyle Committeeman Kocubinski
Absent: None
Also Present: Mary Picariello, Township Clerk and Joseph Greene, Treasurer, Jack Bruno, CFO, Chief Budd Wells and Chief Ben Palombi
SUNSHINE STATEMENT:
“The provisions of the Open Public Meetings Act have been met.
Notice of this meeting has been transmitted by email to the Courier
Post, Burlington County Times and The Trenton Times as well as given to
those having requested same and posted on the Township bulletin board
located in the foyer of the municipal building”.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Members of the public wishing to address
the Township Committee must state their name and address for the record.
Mayor DeBaecke opened the meeting to the
public. There were no
public comments.
MOTION TO CLOSE PUBLIC COMMENT
Proposed By:
Committeeman Kocubinski
Seconded By: Committeeman DeLorenzo
BUDGET WORKSHOP
– Mayor DeBaecke began reviewing the revised budget worksheets.
Committee Kocubinski inquired about the reserve for uncollected
difference. CFO Bruno noted
there were cuts made and noted the in original paperwork it was only
noted for comparison purposes.
He stated it is not finally calculated yet and believes it to be
$267,000 and it is not listed as a budgeted item.
He stated to look at page 55 and 56.
CFO Bruno gave a summary of what was done subsequent to the last
meeting. He noted the
difference was the grant items from the County and the NJDOT.
Those numbers would not be in this year’s budget as it related to
last year. He noted the
struggle financing the full court operation.
He noted it was deficient by $120,000.00.
As a result, CFO Bruno made adjustments to the O/E budget from
Chesterfield since we would no longer be operating it.
There were cuts made of $60,000.00.
He noted he believes no tax increase is needed due to projected
revenues. He stated there
needed to be another $40,000.00 in cuts to other departments and
believes this is feasible.
He noted court salaries need adjusting to reflect the loss of
Chesterfield. Committee
DeLorenzo inquired as to the number of Court sessions.
It was noted there would be 2.
CFO Bruno stated the bond overlap would be covered with deferred
school tax. This was
discussed during the bridge commission financing which saved the
Township. CFO Bruno
discussed the positive MOODY’s letter as it relates to Township
finances. Committee
DeLorenzo noted it was a reflection of the finance department.
CFO Bruno stated the Township Committee takes guidance well and
they should be credited.
CFO Bruno noted every year stands alone but this year the budget would
be lien. Mayor DeBaecke
noted his first inclination is no increase if it is not needed.
The excess of last year could be used.
CFO Bruno noted the past due monies that will be coming in from
Chesterfield. Mayor
DeBaecke noted those monies would help with the shortfall.
CFO Bruno noted he was comfortable with no tax increase due to
the expected but not anticipated revenues.
Deputy Mayor O’Donnell noted the court agreement ceased January
14th. CFO Bruno
noted the surplus with deferred tax was $1,000,035.00.
He stated last year was $917, 000.00.
CFO Bruno noted we were moving in the right direction.
There were inquiries concerning the police contract.
CFO Bruno noted it was covered in this budget.
Joe Greene, Treasurer, noted health insurance would need to be a
consideration next year as there are officers who could be looking for
coverage. Committeeman
Kocubinski noted budgeting is a three year path and CFO Bruno agreed.
Committeeman Doyle noted he reviewed the
police budget. He stated
there was no increase of necessity other than the required radios that
CFO Bruno noted would be covered.
CFO Bruno noted the capital fund is not a fund that is replaced
every year once it is done it is done.
He noted it is used as down payment money for major capital
improvements. He also noted
there are some old capital ordinances that he will explore canceling so
that he can replenish the fund if spent.
Deputy Mayor O’Donnell noted there is no anticipation of any new
bonding. There was
discussion of auctioning off old vehicles after the purchase of the Fire
Chief vehicle. The
Committee decided they would give JVFC $20,000 toward the truck and the
remaining funds would need to come from the EMS fund.
There was also a general consensus to purchase the police radios
needed at a cost of $20,000.00.
There was discussion pertaining to farmland preservation and the
new law as it relates to the proximity to the base.
There would be no need to finance any portion thereof as the
federal government will share in that cost.
Mayor DeBaecke suggested reviewing the
fire department budget before the police department as it is shorter.
Chief Palombi noted he was still awaiting the award of the AFG
grant. He noted if it was
received that would not be an expense from the budget and it was his
third year submitting with the assistance of the Bridge Commission.
After review, the Township Committee was fine with the budget as
submitted and contributing $20,000 towards the command vehicle.
There was no increase for normal operations.
It was also noted there was an increase in answering calls within
EMS. Deputy Mayor O’Donnell
inquired as to the status of the new stipend program.
Chief Palombi noted it was going well.
Deputy Mayor O’Donnell also noted the need to do an ambulance
refurb. Chief Palombi noted
this would be a request within the next few years.
Deputy Mayor O’Donnell inquired as to the revenue in the EMS
fund. Chief Palombi stated
collections were good and if it does not perform the stipend program
would be revisited.
Committeeman Kocubinski stated there was
substantial savings in the bond financing for the capital improvements
made and would like to deliver this great accomplishment in the budget
message. Deputy Mayor
O’Donnell noted some confusion with the Court’s AOC budget.
CFO Bruno noted it looks like the Chesterfield Court was being
removed. The actual costs
are known and reflected in the Finance Departments paperwork.
Committeeman Kocubinski made inquiry in
the Police Chief salary line.
It was noted there was also a stipend for Deputy EMC.
CFO Bruno noted the pensionable salary was $81,600.
Joe Greene noted it would be more beneficial to review the
control line in the budget.
He also made note of a $10,000 reduction to the overtime budget.
CFO Bruno noted this was part of balancing the loss of
Chesterfield Court. Mayor
DeBaecke reviewed all the reductions to offset the Court operation.
It was also discussed the police salary line was inflated due to
retro and the settling of the contract.
Chief Wells noted the higher numbers
were set at the higher amount for each officer but noted the chances
were slim that every officer would take everything in a given year per
the contract. He wanted to
make the Township Committee aware of the potential.
He noted there would be 3 officers per court session as a
security feature. CFO Bruno
noted the police O/E was slightly more than what was requested.
Chief Wells stated there was no increase other than the need for
police radios and he believes he can work within the allotment.
Committeeman Doyle inquired about the Chief salary.
It was decided Committeeman Doyle would discuss with CFO Bruno
and then make recommendation.
Deputy Mayor O’Donnell noted the budget does not yet reflect any
court salary reductions.
Committeeman Kocubinski stated no school tax has been deferred the last
two years and there was a substantial savings with the bond financing.
He was pleased with that.
Mayor DeBaecke asked for a general
consensus to move forward with no tax increase.
All present were in favor.
MOTION TO ADJOURN
Proposed By:
Deputy Mayor O’Donnell
Seconded By:
Committeeman DeLorenzo
TIME OF ADJOURNMENT: 11:44 AM Respectively submitted, ________________________
Mary Picariello, RMC/CMR/CTC Township Clerk |