Bradley Beach Budget May Include Tax Hike
By JOANNE L. PAPAIANNI
Borough residents may see a 4.5 cent increase in the 2006 municipal tax rate, said Mayor Stephen Schueler Tuesday night. Council planned to hold a special budget workshop at press time yesterday to discuss final figures.
Because of the re-assessment, however, the actual tax rate is lower than last year. Figures this year are not comparable to last year’s because of the recent tax re-assessment conducted in town.
Meanwhile, the school board adopted its budget which includes a 3.2 cent increase in the school tax rate per $100 of assessed valuation.
The council postponed a discussion on renovations to borough hall because a representative of the architectural firm failed to show up at the meeting.
The mayor, however, said that decisions on the matter will have to be made soon. The borough will lose state grant money if the project is not done within the allotted time frame.
Borough Administrator Phyllis Quixley reported that the borough has been given an extension until August for the grant money.
Schueler said that bids on the project came in higher than expected.
“But we have to deal with it. It’s important we make some decisions. We can renovate or gut it and leave the outside.”
In a related matter Police Chief Robert DeNardo told council members that the air conditioning in the police department was not working.
“Conditions are deplorable. I don’t know what it costs to have it fixed, but I want the place tested to see if there is a mold problem,” said the chief, referring to an increase in sickness among officers.
Also at the meeting council discussed a request from the Shade Tree Commission to have the borough assume responsibility for trees that fall onto residents’ property.
The request came after a tree fell onto a home in the borough and the homeowner asked the Shade Tree Commission to have the cost of the removal re-imbursed by the borough.
Councilman Thomas Volante objected, stating, “If you buy a house, you have to maintain it.” He added that individual homeowners insurance policies should cover the cost of the damage.
Richard Bianchi, Jr., Supervisor of Public Works, agreed. “Whenever a tree falls on the street, we remove it, if it falls on a resident’s property, they are responsible.”
Bianchi said that is the policy used by all the towns he is aware of.
Borough Attorney Michael DuPont cautioned the town about taking on the liability by changing its policies.
“Taking the liability, people will say ‘maybe the borough had a duty to prevent the damage in the first place,’” he said.
Council also discussed the Shade Tree Commission’s request to implement a memorial tree program.
Through the program residents would be able to purchase trees to be placed in designated spots around town. Mayor Schueler said he would like the program expanded to include shrubs and gardens.
The mayor said that council would continue looking into the matter at future meetings.
In other business council introduced an ordinance approving $325,000 for improvements to the sewer pump station.
Borough Engineer Philip Kavanaugh said the funds were necessary because one of the pumps was broken. He explained that they normally function with two pumps, which work back and forth. “We were working with only one pump.”
Bianchi said the equipment dates back to 1970 and he can no longer get the parts he needs to fix it. He added that there are ample funds in the public works budget for the repairs.
Bianchi also said the the Neptune Township Sewage Authority helped the borough through the incident. “They helped us out. They saved us $10,000 this week.”
He also urged residents to be careful about what they flush down their toilets.
“We get tee-shirts, rags and socks,” he said. It just tears the motors up.”
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