Several Public Hearings Set for Township Council Meeting Monday

Three public hearings are scheduled to take place during the Washington Township council meeting Monday night.

Residents will be able to share their thoughts about the 2011 municipal budget, the 2011 salary ordinance and an ordinance setting the hours of operation for retail businesses.

The $12.5 million municipal budget was . Taxpayers with an average home assessed at $543,000 will see a municipal tax increase of $32 for the year, according to the budget statement.

The 2011 salary ordinance, if approved, will hand out 2 percent wage increases to municipal employees, but not to Acting Administrator Lilly Chin. Councilmen decided to reduce her pay $25,000 to an annual salary of $64,000. Mayor Janet Sobkowicz during the May 9 meeting before the ordinance was introduced.

Also at the May 9 meeting, councilmen introduced an ordinance that would prohibit 24/7 retail stores from opening in the township. The ordinance calls for retail businesses to be closed between midnight and 5 a.m. The measure would not apply to establishments governed by the Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control, which would include restaurants and catering halls.

The council meeting is scheduled to begin Monday at 7:30 p.m. in the , 350 Hudson Ave.