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September 12, 2008
Budget delays WT library bond
Friday, September 12, 2008
By Jessica Beym
jbeym@sjnewsco.com
Gloucester County Times
WASHINGTON TWP. Unsolved municipal budget woes have overshadowed the township council's desire for a new library and caused the council to pull a bond ordinance off Thursday night's meeting agenda.
The township council was slated to introduce a $4.7 million bond ordinance for the library board to pay for the purchase and renovation of the Educational Information Resource Center on Delsea Drive. However, some members of council believed they needed to take care of the township's fiscal problems first.
Councilman Bob Timmons, liaison to the municipal library board, argued that the bond wouldn't have any impact on the municipal budget or the taxpayers, since the library board of trustees has enough money in its surplus and budget to cover the debt service.
"I was hoping to do a report on the library and how close we are to making it happen," Timmons said. "I don't understand why we're not voting on a bond issue tonight."
Members of the Friends of the Margaret E. Heggan Library also expressed disappointment that their hard work was being put off.
But Council President Michelle Martin said the township needs to get its own financial affairs in order before it takes any action on the library.
"After speaking to council we decided we would not move forward on the library until the budget is passed," said Martin. "At this point we have to relook at our budget after the state did not grant us our entire waiver."
The township council took its $38.7 million budget to the state local finance board on Wednesday to request $2.2 million in waivers to exceed the cap on the local tax levy. However, the board rejected all but $750,000 of the council's request.
Budget delays WT library bond
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The township council must now either find ways to cut $1.5 million from its budget, or accept Mayor Paul Moriarty's proposal to use an accelerated tax sale to bring in more revenue this year.
The council's budget would call for a 17.8-cent increase on the tax rate for a $1,292 bill for the average homeowner, up $231. Moriarty's proposal called for about an 8-cent tax increase, or about $101.
The council will meet Sept. 17 at 5 p.m. to discuss the budget again.
But Timmons said the township could stand to lose the deal with the EIRC if it waits much longer.
Moriarty Ð who supports the library plan Ð has a contract on his desk waiting to be signed once council passes the bond ordinance. He said it's "frustrating" that the council won't move forward.
"I don't have the good conscience to sit here and vote to approve a $4.7 million bond Ð be that I'm in favor of it Ð without a budget in place," said Councilman Frank Scarpato.
Some residents, including those running for office, criticized the mayor and council for not having passed the budget yet. Matt Lyons, Democratic mayoral candidate, questioned why the budgeting discussions weren't held earlier and in a public forum.
"You can't budget in September for a year that started nine months ago," Lyons said.
Republican mayoral candidate Theresa Lappe was also critical of the council, which has voted for the mayor's previous budget proposals. She urged council to put a long-term plan in place.
"We have to get the '08 budget passed," she said.
Posted by tumulty at September 12, 2008 10:35 AM
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