Politics & Government
Verona Budget Approval Delayed One More Week
Council to vote on 2011 municipal budget next Monday
The Verona Municipal Budget for 2011 needs one more week before Council vote and final adoption.
At last night's Council meeting, there were discussions and public comments for and against the proposed budget, but the vote was held up because of a pending resolution to amend the budget. The amendment is in regards to adjustments to the revenues and appropriations for the Township swimming pool. The public notification time period for the resolution to amend the budget required one more week. To address both the budget and the amendment resolutions, there will be a special meeting next Monday, June 13 at 7 p.m., in Council Chambers.
Township Manager Joseph Martin narrated a Power Point presentation on the budget and offered pros and cons for reducing the 21.4 million dollar budget further. The 2010 budget was 20.1 million dollars.
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Some of the possible ways to reduce the budget were discussed but not recommended by Martin. The most burdensome reductions included layoffs of municipal employees or police personnel and cutting garbage collection to once a week or eliminating it completely, thereby making it the responsibility of residents to hire private contractors.
Martin also highlighted anticipated increased revenues for the Township, including offering shared services to other municipalities, and almost a million dollar payment in lieu of taxes stemming from Phase II of The Highlands at Hilltop construction. The administration is also investigating providing an improved 911 system for West Essex where Verona would become a call center for the area.
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In closing his presentation, Martin emphasized, “[Township CFO Dorothy] Trimmer and I believe unequivocally, fully and without apology, that the proposed budget should be approved. It is reasoned, it positions Verona to deal with the financial challenges ahead, and it continues a logical financial plan that we embarked on a decade ago. I think it is essential and I recommend and urge the Council to approve it and we will move on to the budget for 2012.”
