Borough’s Budget: Spending Drops, Tax Rate Stays Level for 26th Year

WOODBINE – Borough Council met April 7 and the main theme was discussion of grants, already awarded, pending and potential, that Woodbine administration deploys to augment its annual budget.
“We are always looking to add to what our residents, business owners and other taxpayers contribute and to increase the effect of their hard-earned dollars that go into our budget. That is why I am continually looking for grants and other programs to help us do all the things we want to accomplish in the Borough,” said Mayor William Pikolycky.
Among monies already approved was a N.J. Economic Development Authority grant for a landfill remediation project which “was approved a long time ago but we just finally got the check,” said Borough Engineer Bruce Graham.
The award was for nearly $146,000 and will allow for possible redevelopment of the site after funded improvements.
Regarding applications that the borough has already submitted and is awaiting decision, Pikolycky cited a proposal submitted to the U.S. Department of Agriculture for $41,148 which would provide funding for a second phase to renovate its Food Distribution Center.
Funding would be awarded under the USDA’s Rural Development Community Facilities program and provide for additional facility upgrades and equipment purchases for the facility which is used by the First Baptist Church to distribute non-perishable food items to those in need.
Pikolycky described another grant application that the borough has submitted, this one to the state Department of Transportation that would, if approved, complete a $300,000 project as originally designed.
Woodbine received NJDOT assistance under its municipal aid program for $175,000 that started a project to reconstruct a main borough thoroughfare, DeHirsch Avenue, from Washington to Heilprin avenues.
This new application, if successful, for $125,000 would help to improve existing drainage facilities and expand capacity to better absorb flooding to curtail pipe and road deterioration that ensues from storm water.
Borough 2016 Budget
Pikolycky shared highlights from his recent 2016 budget message, “This year’s budget that we are proposing calls for total spending that is down 3 percent from last year’s budget and for the 26th consecutive year our local purpose tax will not increase either.
“I’m also happy to report that our tax collection rate has increased to 98.41 percent and this is great news.” Referring to the numerous grant applications discussed at this meeting, Pikolycky said, “This budget does not include pending grant applications. There is a greater need than ever to attempt to secure increasingly competitive state and federal funding since aid from the State has remained flat.”
Possible Shared Services Agreement
Borough Solicitor Richard Tonetta said he had been communicating with Buena to explore a potential shared services agreement for rental inspections. “Under our ordinance for rental registration and inspection we could streamline the process and save money with this agreement. Buena said they are interested so we just need to work out whose inspection services we will use, theirs or ours,” explained Tonetta. He promised to report at an upcoming meeting the next steps to effect an agreement.
Barracks Upgrade
Council unanimously approved a resolution which authorizes the hiring of Joseph F. McKernan Jr. Architects and Associates to provide related professional services for mandatory upgrade at the State Police station located in the borough.
This project has been long requested by state troopers and will serve to improve its facilities in line with other locations throughout the state.
To contact Camille Sailer, email csailer@cmcherald.com.