Verona Council Narrowly Approves $21.4 Million Municipal Budget

On Monday evening, the Verona Council narrowly approved the $21.4 million municipal budget for 2011 by a 3-2 vote.
Deputy Mayor Frank Sapienza and Council members Jay Sniatkowski and Bob Manley voted for the budget, while Mayor Teena Schwartz and council member Kevin Ryan voted against it.
The budget increase will mean an additional $200 in the municipal portion of Verona property taxes for the average home assessed at $400,000, or $16.66 per month. The budget is $270,000 less than allowed under the portion of the state mandated two percent maximum tax cap.
During council comments, Schwartz, who is not seeking re-election when her term expires at the end of this month, commented first. Her remarks, directed to Township Manager Joseph Martin, concerned the mayor’s requests of a timely delivery of a draft budget and detailed options the council could review to achieve a flat budget. “The council hardly had a chance to digest, no less discuss, the options. I am disappointed,” Schwartz said. “I would not cut anything in this budget that would jeopardize the quality of life here, but I do think that there can be further tax relief in this budget,” the mayor concluded.
The entire council agreed with the mayor the budget process has to begin at an earlier point. Sapienza, summarized his comments saying, “I think the budget is fair and responsible and I plan to support it.”
Sniatkowski added his support, “Agree with me or not, this year, I’m just not willing to support closing facilities or changing services… and I do support this year’s budget.”
Manley, who voiced his support, said, “I believe it [the budget] offers fiscal conservatism and management that insures the town’s financial future but maintains the high quality of life that we have come to love and cherish in Verona… therefore, I support this budget and I intend to vote yes on it.”
Other than the mayor, the remaining opposing vote came from Ryan, who ended his remarks by emphasizing, “I was a voice out there speaking against it, [the budget] and I won because people were not satisfied. So I owe it to my constituents that I will not vote to approve this budget. Coming up with nothing new [tax relief options] was a great disappointment.”
During the public portion of the meeting, the same four or five residents expressed opposition to the budget.
When asked to comment after the budget passed,  Martin said, “I believe the budget reflects the sentiment of the majority of the voters and while I admire and respect the opinions of those who oppose the budget, I think in the long run Verona is much better off with this budget in place. Verona is a quality town that expects quality services and this year’s budget insures that those services are delivered.”