Tentative 2011 Borough Budget Presented at Last Meeting

The mayor and council recently had borough auditor Gary Higgins attend their meeting to present the proposed 2011 budget.

The average home in New Milford, which is valued at $414,000, would see a $112 increase in municipal taxes for 2011.

Gov. Christie recently reduced the municipal budget cap statewide from four to two percent, meaning the borough could not increase their budget more than two percent over last year's budget.

"It is a wonderful accomplishment that you complied with the governor while still giving the services to the residents you wanted," said Higgins.

Borough Administrator Christine Demiris said this was a difficult budget year and that a budget couldn't have come together without the help of several groups of borough employees who reopened their contracts for new negotiations. Mayor Ann Subrizi also acknowledged the sacrifices made by borough employees.

"Without the cooperation of our white collar workers and the DPW who took a zero percent increase in salaries this year this budget never would have come together," said Subrizi. "Also the library staff were incredibly generous and were a big help in supporting this budget."

The budget and tax resolution passed by unanimous vote at the Feb. 28 meeting of the mayor and council. The public is invited to comment on the budget and ask questions at the March 28 meeting of the mayor and council.

Borough residents can review the budget on New Milford's website.

Editor's Note: A quote originally attributed to Christine Demiris was actually stated by Mayor Ann Subrizi although Demiris shared similar statements at the work session.