South Brunswick Scores 90 Percent on State Best Practices

South Brunswick Township received a score of 90 percent on the New Jersey Best Practices Worksheet, which is a 50 question form that questions a township’s business practices. The worksheet ensures that municipalities receiving state aid follow guidelines to "achieve cost savings, maximize fiscal efficiency to insure increased operational efficiency, optimize facilities and resources, and increase accountability," according to Public Affairs Coordinator Ron Schmalz.

Questions on the worksheet also address general management, financial standards, budget preparation and presentation, which were vital to making sure South Brunswick keeps the entire $5.1 million allocated through state aid, according to Township Councilman John O'Sullivan.

“It is important that township officials maintain this high rating in these hard economic times, so that we can continue to receive this funding for the betterment of the township,” O’Sullivan said.

Schmalz said the results of the worksheet are a testament to the work of township officials seeking out cost efficiencies like shared service agreements with the local school board and other townships.

"We try to work as effectively and efficiently as possible," he said. "One thing we have over a lot of other small communities is that many of the services the state is asking municipalities to do are longstanding services in South Brunswick. A good example is our recycling program, we also have tri-party agreements with other communities and local entities."

Schmalz said paving work to the parking lot of the Kendall Park Firehouse and similar projects with the Board of Education are also examples of the township's cost efficiencies. 

"We've been doing shared services for a number of years and that's why we ranked so highly," he said.