Lower Township Candidates Debate, Budget Deficit in Forefront

VILLAS – Ward One Lower Township Council Republican incumbent Thomas Conrad and independent candidates Janet Pitts and Joseph Will debated before a full room of voters Fri. Oct. 15 at the Millman Center with the event dominated by talk of budget shortfalls and union contracts.
The debate was sponsored by the Cape May County Herald and Coastal Broadcasting (98.7 The Coast). Mary Conley, president of the Cape May County League of Women Voters, moderated the event.
The candidates were questioned by a panel of local reporters who regularly cover the township: Christopher South of the Star and Wave, Carole Mattesich of the Cape May Gazette, Denis Brown of Coastal Broadcasting and this reporter. Written questions were also received from the audience.
In his opening statement, Will said the township had problems with taxes and employee contracts. He said he had been involved with politics with the union of which he is a member.
Will said there were tough decisions to be made and if he was elected, “there would be no backroom deals.”
Conrad, in his opening statement, said during his four year term, properties were reassessed to bring the numbers down to a realistic level following a reevaluation at the height of the real estate boom. He said the Sweet Briar Motel, a site of criminal activity, has been shut down and council approved a budget with no tax increase. He accused Pitts of making disparaging remarks about the township in Spout Offs on the Herald website.
In her opening statement, Pitts, former president of the Taxpayers Association of Lower Township, said her involvement with the community has shown her “there is a total lack of leadership in Ward One. She noted she was also a member of the Mayor’s Advisory Board and raised a family in the community.
On a question of how the township will deal with a 2 percent property tax cap from the state that could produce as much as $1 million shortfall in the township budget and whether employee layoffs or a cut in capital improvements should be considered, Conrad said the township was looking at eliminating a 5 percent down payment on bonds which would save $100,000. He suggested capping unused employee sick time and having arbitrators take property taxes into consideration.
Conrad said he believed council could bring in next year’s budget close to a zero percent increase.
Pitts said while layoffs were a possibility, they would be a last resort. She suggested negotiating some concessions from employees
Will said he believed council made a mistake bringing the budget down to a zero percent tax increase and he believed it should have had a 1 percent increase because a number of employee contracts were up for renewal.
The candidates were asked their position on requiring union employees to give concessions on contracts that were negotiated prior to Gov. Christie implementing the state’s 2 percent property tax levy cap for 2011. Pitts said she did not believe the township could require concessions but it needed to make clear they may be necessary to prevent layoffs. She said health insurance costs to the township increased 20 percent last year and 12 percent this year.
Will said where he is employed, everyone was required to take a wage freeze and he suggested the same for township employees.
Conrad said the township was limited what it could negotiate in contracts by state law. He said the unions were aware of the current economic situation because “they live here, they work here.”
On a question of why candidates talk about economic development for the township when they are campaigning but never mention it again until the next election, Conrad said it was important to maintain the existing small businesses here. He noted there was no industry here and he was unsure why businesses do not want to locate in the township with its large residential population.
Will said residents should patronize local businesses. He said a suggestion has been offered to place parking meters along the beachfront to raise more revenue for the township.
Pitts said the Mayor’s Advisory Board met with DRBA concerning development at the county airport. She also suggested an economic development commission to aggressively seek industries to locate here.
On a question of alternative uses for the Ponderlodge property if an agreement between the state and Richard Stockton College falls through to use the site as an environmental education center, Pitts suggested a land exchange for Stockton to use a county-owned property for the center.
Conrad said if the deal falls through, the state needs to demolish the buildings at Ponderlodge.
Will suggested the swimming pool at Ponderlodge be opened for “Villas kids.”
The candidates were asked if they could commit the necessary time to their council position. Will said he arose a 4 a.m., worked in Atlantic City and was home by 3 p.m.
“If you call me, I’ll be there,” he said.
Pitts said she would make a large commitment of her time to council.
Conrad said he has served on council for four years and the job involves attending classes and seminars and “being highly flexible with your time.”
On the topic of shared services, Conrad said any service the township offers is open to shared service. Pitts suggested sharing services with schools and fire companies. Will agreed with Pitts.
All three candidates agreed the township’s school budgets should receive the same scrutiny as the township budget is given.
On a question of whether police officers set to retire before 2012 should be replaced to keep the force at 42 officers or their positions eliminated, Will said more Class II officers were needed.
Pitts said the population of Lower Township has dropped significantly and a 2001 study indicated the police department was adequately staffed with 44 officers.
“It would be easier if we weren’t paying the amount of money we are paying but that’s what we gave away in the last contract and that is what is killing us now, not necessarily how many we have,” she said.
Conrad said the police department had fallen below 42 officers and public safety had to be considered. He said Class II officers were not the answer.
Conrad said Lower Township police are paid less than other towns. He said binding arbitration was giving raises of 4 percent while the township settled on 3.75 percent.
Will rebutted saying in the eleventh hour, Conrad “caved in right before Mike Beck was voted in.” He said the township was in its current financial situation because of the police contract.
Conrad replied said it was not binding arbitration but a state mediator who negotiated the contract. He said binding arbitration would have cost the township more money.
On a question of how the township can raise more revenue or decrease spending to keep taxes down, Conrad said two union contracts were coming up for negotiation. He said the borough’s auditor told council the only thing left to cut is personnel.
Will suggested charging landscapers to recycle items from the brush site on Seashore Road.
Pitts suggested the township work with non-profit organizations to hold events that appeal to tourists to bring in revenue to supplement items normally paid for by taxation.
On a question of whether the three candidates would take a stipend of just $1,200 per year as opposed to the normal $12,000 salary, Will said he would while Pitts and Conrad said “no.”
All three candidates said they opposed the township ceasing trash collection with the work turned over to a commercial trash hauler.
A video of the debate is available at: http://www.987thecoast.com/