Two Budget Presentations Mark Tuesday Meeting

School and township budget presentations are one the agenda for Tuesday's Township Committee meeting, with District Superintendent Jorden Schiff presenting the school budget and Chief Finance Officer Nancy Haberle presenting the town budget.

Proclamations honoring township resident Michael Cavallo's skateboarding achievements and declaring Autism Awareness month, library appreciation week and the YMCA's Healthy Kids Day will precede the presentations, however.

The appointment of Bill Dondiego to Alternate Seat Two on the Environmental Commission is on the agenda as well.  Dondiego's term would end December 31 2012.

The committee will introduce two new ordinances during the meeting, though no public hearings are scheduled for Tuesday.

The first ordinance, 2011-11, proposes a reduction of the Township's Open Space Tax, which the committee mentioned at its March 22 meeting.  Currently set at four cents ($0.04) per $100 of assessed value, the committee wanted to lower the tax, citing the recent property revaluations.  As stated in the agenda, the ordinance would lower the tax to two point eight ($0.028) cents per $100 of assessed value.  A public hearing on the ordinance is set for May 1o.

The second ordinance, 2011-12 establishes a cap bank for 2011.  The bank allows the township to create an emergency fund for unforeseen circumstances but does not raise taxes.  As per state law, the money can be used in the next two years, if any emergencies occur.

Other items on the township's agenda include appointing an additional Fire Marshall for the township, as specified in this year's fire budget.  The full-time position has a starting salary of $40,000.

The township will also vote on a resolution awarding two contracts involving the Sunnymead Landfill to Masur Consulting, P.A.  The first contract, which is not to exceed $10,000 involves monitoring landfill gasses, while the second, which is not to exceed $2,500, involves preparing a proposal to modify the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection's permit requirements regarding the landfill.

Another resolution extends a heating, ventilation and air-conditioning contract with Binsky and Snyder, LLC, for sixth months.  The additional sixth months costs $11,792 and would make the contract end date August 31, 2011.

The meeting occurs at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday in the Municipal Courtroom.