Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Federal grant supports groups that serve the low-income elderly and disabled communities.
The South Brunswick Township Council heard recommendations last week for the allocation of grant funds that aid programs serving low-income elderly and disabled communities. The Community Development Block Grant allocated about $67,000 to South Brunswick, as one of 19 county municipalities to receive funds through the U.S. Housing and Urban Development Department. The program, aimed at eliminating code violations, health and safety problems, is open to South Brunswick agencies and non-profit groups for low-income elderly and the disabled. The grant amount was in stark contrast to the funding provided by the program in previous years. "A few years ago we got about $117,000," said Mayor Frank Gambatese. "Some of us thought this program …
Thursday, February 7, 2013
Township to reassess tax appeal situation at the end of the year to determine if property revaluation is needed.
South Brunswick will hold off on a property revaluation program for at least one year to determine if such action is warranted moving forward. During a discussion at Tuesday's Township Council meeting, Chief Financial Officer Joseph Monzo said South Brunswick experienced a significant decrease from the impact of tax appeals last year on the ratable base. "I think there's been some improvement in the market, so I would hold tight to see what 2013 brings in terms of tax appeals and (the ratio of assessed value to market value), and then revisit this at the end of the year," he said. A revaluation program appraises all real property according to its full and fair value. While some residents would see their assessments, and consequently their…
Owner of home assessed at township average would see an annual municipal tax increase of approximately $94.
South Brunswick began discussions Tuesday evening to craft the municipal spending plan for this year with a preliminary budget that would increase the tax rate by 5-cents, however that figure is expected to change as the township begins budget hearings. Township Manager Bernard Hvozdovic and Chief Financial Officer Joseph Monzo presented a preliminary budget to the Township Council that would bring an annual municipal tax increase of $94.20 for homes assessed at the township average of $188,400. Last year, the council approved $47.9 million budget that held the tax rate firm from the previous year at about 72 cents per $100 of assessed valuation. The preliminary budget presented Tuesday carries an increase in spending of about $257,000. "…
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
Township Council to hold formal discussions on 2013 municipal budget and implications of tax revaluation Tuesday evening.
As South Brunswick is still wrestling with an influx of new tax appeals, formal discussions will begin Tuesday evening on the 2013 budget and the impact of a possible revaluation program. Last year, 391 tax appeals were filed in the township, up from about 180 appeals in 2011, when about 100 companies successfully sued the township for a tax reduction. That reduction resulted in the loss of over $100 million in ratables, $98.5 million of which came from commercial and industrial tax appeals. Over the last seven years, the township's ratable base has decreased by over $180 million, in no small part due to the increase in tax appeals. "The biggest concern we have is the fact that these suits are rising from people appealing their taxes," …
Friday, January 25, 2013
South Brunswick stipulates prospective contractors and subcontractors should be required to meet minimum standards for responsibility.
South Brunswick is taking aim at contractors who fail to meet qualifications for responsibility on township projects. The Township Council Tuesday evening passed an ordinance that seeks to ensure contactors bidding on municipal projects meet minimum standards for responsibility. Those requirements include documentation of clear qualifications, competency, expertise, and adequacy of resources, including equipment, financial, and personnel, as well as satisfactory records on past projects. "The whole premise is to make sure people bidding on projects can meet minimum work standards," said Public Affairs Coordinator Ron Schmalz. "It takes time to do all the research, so we're trying to be out in front of the process with the contractors." …
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Increase in new construction fees could help offset ratable decrease.
While a number of municipalities are still wrestling with a decline in revenue during the recession, township officials are hopeful that South Brunswick's budget for the upcoming year will reflect an improved business climate. Mayor Frank Gambatese pointed to a surge in new construction fees that may signal the tides are turning towards a rosier financial picture for the township. "I think we're in a good situation and we'll be okay with the municipal budget," Gambatese said. "We've had some really good construction fees come in that generated what we project at about $800,000. This tells me more corporations are interested in moving into town and that's good for us." Over the last seven years, the township's ratable base decreased by …
Thursday, January 17, 2013
Township officials say South Brunswick may be forced to consider property revaluation in the future due to the continued increase of tax appeals from residents and businesses.
As the township is still in the early stages of formulating the municipal budget for 2013, South Brunswick officials remain concerned about the overall impact of tax appeals from residents and businesses. Last year, 391 tax appeals were filed in the township, up from about 180 appeals in 2011, when approximately 100 companies successfully sued the township for a tax reduction. That reduction resulted in the loss of over $100 million in ratables. Of that total, $98.5 million came from commercial and industrial tax appeals. "The biggest concern we have is the fact that these suits are rising from people appealing their taxes," said Mayor Frank Gambatese. "We expect to have a pretty big number again from last year to this year, so we need to…
Monday, January 14, 2013
South Brunswick to revise guidelines for contractors bidding on municipal projects.
South Brunswick Township is planning an overhaul on guidelines for contractors bidding on municipal projects. During a discussion at last week's meeting, Township Council members discussed an ordinance that focused on the importance of having responsible employees working for any company bidding on a public contract. "If we have a low bidder bringing people on the site who are not qualified to do the job, then that creates problems for residents and the entire township," said Mayor Frank Gambatese. Public Affairs Coordinator Ron Schmalz said the ordiance would provide an added layer of protection for the township on large construction projects. "The purpose of this is to select responsible contractors for significant public contacts to …
Friday, January 11, 2013
Program would allow residents to turn in unlicensed and illegal weapons under a grant of amnesty.
In light of the most recent mass shooting to hit the U.S., the South Brunswick Township Council said Tuesday they will explore available options for a gun amnesty program. At this week's council meeting, former Republican Councilman John O'Sullivan spoke during the public portion of the meeting and asked the council to consider a measure that he said could help safeguard South Brunswick from the potential of gun violence. "As we know maintaining the safety, heath and welfare of the residents are the important functions of government and an amnesty program can be a way of moving toward those goals," O'Sullivan said. "We are all aware, now more than ever, about people having legal licensed and illegal unlicensed weapons and some being used …
Friday, December 14, 2012
South Brunswick to ask state to explore giving municipalities the authority to give local property tax exemptions to residents on active duty in a combat zone.
In honor of the sacrifices township residents perform while on active duty in the Armed Forces, South Brunswick officials are asking the state to lessen the property tax burdens for those individuals. At a recent Township Council meeting, Councilman John O’Sullivan presented an idea that would relieve South Brunswick residents on active military duty while deployed in a combat zone from paying township real estate taxes for the period of time while they're deployed. “I feel this is a way to help the service members and their families in these hard economic times by reducing some of the financial burden facing them," O'Sullivan said. “I initially introduced this idea at a council meeting in October, when I requested that the township …
Tugwalla
9:01 am on Monday, February 11, 2013
Just Me....and don't forget the pensions and free healthcare...just like us shlubs in the real world! more ›