Brooklawn: Mayor and Council Oppose Governor Corzine’s Budget Cuts
"We are doing everything right and then we are told we will not get any aid because we did so well last year,"Brooklawn Mayor John Soubasis
By Sara Martino
NEWS Correspondent
Mayor John Soubasis and members of Brooklawn Council recently went to Trenton with the intention of letting Governor John Corzine know about their objections to the reduction of, or non-existence of, state aid to the municipalities.
"We are streamlining everything possible. Why are we getting penalized by losing state aid?" Mayor Soubasis asked.
During last week's Council meeting, the mayor said more than $119,000 of state aid was lost this year.
Discrencenary aid dole outs are up to the governor.
"Some municipalities receive it who shouldn't," the mayor said.
"We are doing everything right and then we are told we will not get any aid because we did so well last year," Soubasis said.
"We are making it work because we are operating on a shoestring. We are fiscally responsible. The town is run like a business. Our only funds and revenue is received from borough owned rental homes, property taxes, and writing tickets," the mayor said.
The municipal budget for FY2008 was introduced in the amount of $2,605,000.
If approved and if no state aid is forthcoming, the increase in taxes would be 6.5 cents or an increase of $52 per year on an average $80,000 property.
"We will continue with our services. There will not be any cuts. Brooklawn is a clean, safe environment in which to live in and to work and raise a family. But, there is no magic, no Brooklawn money tree," the mayor said.
Council okayed a resolution opposing the governor's proposed state bud-get.
Borough Engineer Chuck Riebel said the NJ Historical Society gave the go-ahead to start the redevelopment project along the waterfront.
The process had been delayed because the Historical Society had to determine if any artifacts may be unearthed or destroyed and they did not want an endangered plant along the water to be lost.
"Maybe we could start this summer or early fall to finish the gazebo, install an emergency boat access ramp, install lighting and establish the riverbank," Riebel said.
Other resolutions that were approved include; the increase of the temporary budget; adoption of a three year agreement with Camden County for CDBG grant for the improvement of properties; a borough home credit for heater contracts ($20); awarding of a contract with Winner Ford for a police vehicle; rental increase for borough homes; and an application for Open Space funding to purchase playground equipment.
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