Westville Council Introduces $4.5 Million Budget, Taxes to Increase

By Sara Martino

NEWS Correspondent

 There was no mention of the proposed 2008 municipal budget during Westville Borough Council's work session March 25.

  The meeting was scheduled for the following night, but due to Mayor Michael Galbraith's inability to attend due to illness, and the need for Council President Russell Welch to be absent, the date change had been announced at the March 12 meeting.

  At that meeting, council agreed, with one abstaining vote by Councilman Ronald Muhlbaier, to exceed the Municipal Budget Appropriation limits and to establish a "Cap" bank.

  One of the reasons to exceed the "cap" is due to the decrease of state funds.

  The proposed budget of $4.5 million would mean a 28 cent increase in local taxes or an additional tax amount of $243 for the average home owner.

  A public hearing and a vote on the 2008 budget will be April 9 at 7:30 pm in Borough Hall. The public may address the governing body on budget issues prior to the vote.

  Borough Administrator William Bittner said that in addition to the loss of discretionary aid at this time, state mandated pension increases and basic operating costs created the need for the increased amount of the budget.

  Many smaller municipalities are feeling the governor's budget cuts. Within the 2009 State Budget, the governor will be looking to eliminate municipal property tax relief from towns with a small population.

  In other business, Borough Engineer Norm Rodgers reported on a pre-construction meeting for the sanitary improvements project.

   "Residents in the areas of Duncan, New and Woodbine will be notified in advance of the start of the project for the sanitary sewer lines," Rodgers said.

  "I have received phone calls from nearby Brooklawn asking if Westville is still planning to have the fireworks display," Public Works Manager Donna Domico said. "I don't know how the rumors began that we would not have fireworks this year."

  Council President Russell Welsh, who officiated in the absence of the mayor, emphasized that there will be fireworks off River Drive, as usual.

  "We do have money in the Celebration account and other reserve monies if needed," he said.

  An ordinance was introduced and approved to allow the codification of borough ordinances for the amount of $20,000.

  It was noted that the Borough has received a grant of $5,036.65 from the NJ Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) for Clean Communities.

  Council okayed an ordinance on first reading allowing the erection of stop signs at Edgewater, West and Twedell avenues to help eliminate dangerous traffic in those areas.

  Councilman Michael Ledrich suggested that the use of the Borough fields be limited to home teams and not to out-of-town teams.

  "The fields are well kept and maintained by the Little League members and it is sad to see how some of the fields get ruined," he said. He said some exemptions may be made, such as for a Gateway Regional High School request.