Page 12 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • April 21, 2010 Wyckoff budget to increase taxes by $81 on average by John Koster The municipal budget introduced by the Wyckoff Township Committee will increase property taxes by $81 on the average township home assessed at $807,000. The budget increases total spending by 0.13 percent, and totals $16,647,957. This budget does not include costs for the local and regional school districts or for Bergen County. The municipal-purpose budget is approximately 16 percent of the total tax bill. “This is a maintenance budget,” said Wyckoff Township Committeeman David Connolly. He described Chief Financial Officer Diane McLeod and Township Administrator Robert Shannon as relentless in helping the committee put together the spending plan. Shannon was credited with saving the township $100,000 in tipping fees through strategic bidding of the garbage collection contract and diversion into recycling. However, Connolly said he would rather go through root canal without anesthetic than take on another such budgeting process. Also incorporated into the savings program is a hiring freeze that started in 2009 and will continue through 2010. The members of the township committee unanimously waived their stipends to compensate for time spent on public business, as they did last year. The Black & Decker Electric Mower Starts With The Flick Of A Switch Easy to Operate 18” Mulching Mower With Flip-Over Handle It Never Runs Out of Gas And Doesn’t Pollute! The total municipal tax levy has increased 5.85 percent, or $616,042, due to a cut in state aid and loss of revenue. Wyckoff’s increases included $100,166 in negotiated salaries, $139,000 in state-mandate health benefit increases, $36,898 in mandated pension increases, $34,000 for increased snow storm clearances, $77,000 to defend the township from tax appeal litigation, and $19,632 for planning reports. Brian Scanlan, the township committee’s lone Democrat, concurred with the four Republicans that Wyckoff had done the best it could considering cuts of $373,363 in state revenue, reducing the state revenue from $1.4 million to $1.09 million. Scanlan said that without the state cut, the municipal purpose tax increase would have been about $20 rather than $81. Mayor Rudy Boonstra observed that the state government appeared to believe that fiscally responsible and upscale districts like Wyckoff would continue to make ends meet no matter what was inflicted on them, and that the towns perceived as the most responsible and the most affluent suffered most from the state cuts. Municipal budget Other Models To Choose From Propane Available 7 Days A Week Mon-Wed 7:30-6, Thurs & Fri 7:30-8 Sat 8-5 27 FRANKLIN TPKE, WALDWICK www.homehardwaresupply.com 201-652-5666 OPEN SUNDAY 9-3 (continued from page 4) $635,000 of the $918,000 increase in the tax levy and, without those large uncontrollable costs, the increase would have been only three percent. He said the majority of that increase is due to excessive salary increases and benefits established by contracts signed during the mayor’s term. “This council has worked hard to develop a budget that includes a three-year plan to significantly reduce future tax levies, reduce the borough’s debt levels, and stabilize surplus at a level necessary to maintain the borough’s Triple-A bond rating,“ Bivona stated. When DeNicola voiced her budget complaints at a recent council meeting before the budget was introduced, she was challenged by Smith who repeatedly pressed her to make specific recommendations to reduce the budget. She suggested personnel changes in the Franklin Lakes Department of Public Works, but Smith called that unrealistic. She also suggested money could be saved on lawn maintenance, air conditioning, bottled water service, and maintenance of the municipal building, but Smith continued to ask her for specific recommendations. She suggested that revenue could be increased by permitting a monopole at the firehouse on Franklin Lake Road, but Smith said he did not know anyone who wants to put a cell tower at that firehouse. He said most of the mayor’s other suggestions had either already been considered by the council or were unrealistic. “It’s easy to criticize,” Smith said, “but if you have specific suggestions, we’ll consider them.” OCEANFRONT HOUSE with Private Beach Access FOR SALE WATERFRONT HOUSE ON FRIPP ISLAND, SC (near historic Beaufort and Parris Island). Ranch style with extended lg. deck overlooking the ocean and own beach access, screened porch, 4 BR, 2½ baths, full kitchen, great room with fireplace. 2-car garage. Fully furnished. Sleeps 8-10. In gated community featuring 2 championship golf courses, several swimming pools, racquet club, bike trails, marina and more. Call Fripp Island Real Estate; Vic Schwarzer, Agent: 843-838-2411; cell 843-597-2491 or check website: www.frippforsale.com