Ewing OKs revised budget with 22-cent tax hike

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

By JOAN GALLER
Staff Writer

EWING — Ewing’s Township Council cleaned house last night in its final meeting for 2009, voting to amend the
Fiscal 2010 municipal budget, to buy a new fire rescue truck, and to schedule its reorganization meeting for Jan. 7.

Local property taxes will rise to 22 cents per $100 of assessed value under the revised $46,112,839 budget,
compared to 17 cents projected in the $45,294,422 budget introduced a few months ago.

The impact on property owners will mean another $240 added to their tax bills in a township where the average home
is assessed at $125,000.

The amount to be raised by taxes is now $20.08 million compared to $19.442 million.

The move came after the council heard from various municipal department heads — starting with Police Chief Robert
Coulton several weeks ago and ending last night with the Tax Collector Thomas Hespe and Maryann Convenio of
Municipal Court — about their projected budgets and contractual obligations.

Further amendments to the budget are expected before its final adoption next spring to reflect any adjustments made
by state finance officials on Ewing’s bid for state aid and for possible extraordinary aid.

Last year, Ewing received $9,407,504 in state aid compared to $8,360,909 this year, and from the latter amount, the
state withheld Ewing’s December payment, or $418,045.

West Trenton Fire Co. got an early Christmas present, a new rescue truck, when the council accepted a $632,000 bid
from PL Custom Body & Equipment Co. Inc. of Manasquan to replace a 24-year-old rig.

PL Custom’s bid, which came in well below the estimated $750,000 pricetag, beat out two lower bids that failed to
meet specifications, according to Township Attorney Michael Hartsough.

West Trenton Fire Chief Ralf Brandmaier was on hand to thank the council.

The council also voted to hold the annual municipal reorganization meeting on Jan. 7 at 6 p.m. in council chambers.
The meeting was pushed back from Jan. 4 to accommodate a council member who will be traveling New Year’s
week.