Hightstown Budget confuses council

At the Hightstown Council meeting on Monday night, the budget was front & center with a proposed resolution amending the 2017 budget. The increase was for a total of $408,400 to be distributed as follows: $292k for Litigation Settlement, $1,400 Finance Other Expenses, $104,700 Police Salaries & Wages, $7k Police Other Expenses and $3,300 Social Security. Councilwoman Denise "Denny" Hansen praised CFO George Lang with the way the increase was done stating "$308k will come from surplus and only$104,700 will impact the tax payers." When asked by resident Doug Mair, whether the $308k surplus comes from the taxpayers, the CFO after playing word games finally admitted "yes it comes from the taxpayers." Mr. Mair then asked, "If the surplus comes from the taxpayers, won't the $308k have to be replenished by another tax increase?" The CFO responded, "not necessarily." Doug Mair then asked, "then why did the borough labor attorney submit a Motion to Stay in Marchione v Borough of Hightstown claiming the borough can't pay PO Frank Marchione his back pay because it would be irreparably harmed?" The borough further claimed that the surplus would have to be replenished in future tax increases totaling 7.7 cents. Mrs. Hansen then changed her original comment saying, "I meant it will save taxpayers this year." Mr. Mair then asked Mr. Lang why he amended the budget and Mr. Lang struggled to answer. Mr. Mair asked again and Mr. Lang appearing frustrated said, "we all know what it's for." Yes Mr. Mair replied we do, it's the court ordered back pay to Mr. Marchione. You would think this Mayor & Council could at least tell the taxpayers the truth. Truth is I don't think the council knows how to read a budget.