Township Taxes Stable for ’06

While state lawmakers grappled with New Jersey’s FY2007 budget, the township’s own spending plan sailed to easy approval long before the July 1 deadline.

Two months ago, the township council approved Saddle Brook’s 2006 municipal budget, which offers homeowners a stable municipal property tax rate. Officials also lauded the addition of nearly $1 million in new revenues to the township tax rolls, and the maintenance of approximately $800,000 in surplus funds in town coffers.

“We’ve finally been able to give money back to the community in the form of a zero increase in taxes,” said Mayor Louis D’Arminio.

Under provisions of the spending plan adopted May 11, township property taxes will not increase for the calendar year. The mayor said the township was able to offset the increasing price of the community’s fixed costs – pension, insurance, salaries, garbage disposal and fuel – through an increase in tax ratables and utilizing some of the township’s reserves.

“It took us more than three years to get to that place, and that was accomplished through good financial planning,” he said.

The mayor was referring to a $900,000 budget deficit the township was facing when the then newly-elected D’Arminio took office. During the subsequent years, he said, the township built up approximately $2 million in reserves.

“That money was put away for a rainy day,” D’Arminio said. “We used some of that money [to offset the 2006 budget] and we still have $800,000 in surplus.”

The mayor also noted that officials recently took advantage of low interest rates to refinance the township’s debt.

“Now we’re paying down both the principal and the interest instead of paying only interest,” D’Arminio said.

School taxes will increase approximately eight tax points, or $144 for the average township home. The county portion of the property tax bill was not immediately available.

—07663Online Staff

Shared Services Encourage Savings

Saddle Brook is teaming up with neighboring communities to take advantage of reduced costs through sharing equipment and services.

According to Mayor Louis D’Arminio, the township has joined with Lodi, Maywood and Rochelle Park to form The Central Bergen Mayors and Administrators Coalition. The purpose of the collective created on April 11 is to share expenses as one approach to reducing the cost of doing municipal business.

“We’re actively talking and working on sharing services,” D’Arminio said, noting that the coalition is currently working on the purchase of a pothole machine that each community will utilize on an as-needed basis. “I think this will be a win-win situation all around.”

The mayor added that this approach will be beneficial because they will be able to take advantage of incentive grants offered by the county and state to communities who share expenses.

—07663Online Staff

Improvements in the Pipeline

When it comes to the township’s water, sewage and drainage systems, Saddle Brook officials are not content to simply “go with the flow.” As various infrastructure upgrades continue across the municipality this summer, the township administration is preparing the next phase of improvements to address the aging services.

After the first phase of the project is complete, drainage issues will be addressed at the following locations:

• Hayes Drive

• Floral Lane

• Avon Lane & Skillman Terrace

• Scheele Place & Alberta Drive

• Rugby Road & Oxford Avenue

• Pehle Avenue & Nicholas Court

• Pehle Avenue & John Street

• South Street & Woodward Street

• Outwater Lane

In addition to the drainage projects, Township Ordinance #1385-06 – authorizing bonding for sewer upgrades – was approved on second reading at the June 8 council meeting.

The estimated $2 million project will include replacing pumping equipment and controls at the Mayhill Street and North Fifth Street sewage stations.

“We’re looking to get state assistance or a low cost loan [to finance the project],” said Mayor Lou D’Arminio.

The mayor also noted that the township’s water meter replacement program is still an ongoing project that is approximately 75 percent complete.

—07663Online Staff