The Coaster

Coaster Photo:
Asbury Parks First Saturday Night featured a jester and musicians performing for shoppers.

By GARRETT STASSE
Two of Tinton Falls unsung heroes got a leg up, thanks to school children and others who donated to purchase bullet-proof vests for the boroughs K-9 unit.
The Vested Interest Fund run by the Associated Humane Societies donated two bullet-proof vests to the Police Departments K-9 Unit to give them as much protection as their human handlers. The vests are valued at $895 each. There are three dogs in the canine unit and one already has a vest.
Theyve earned it, Chief Gerald Turning said.

By GARRETT STASSE
The budget crunch that worried Tinton Falls officials for months is spreading to quality of life issues.
On Tuesday the Borough Council adopted the 2008 spending package, which calls for appropriations of $20,901,804, compared to $19,916,088 in 2007. The amount to be raised through taxation is $10,317,640 this year, up from $9,663,618 a year ago. The utility departments proposed budget would be $4,923,051, compared to $4,960,850 last year.

By GARRETT STASSE

Tinton Falls scored a major legal victory on Tuesday when a judge cleared legal obstacles to redeveloping the former CECOM property. The borough stands to net about $2.5 million and be allowed to approve a 151-unit age-restricted housing development on the Wayside Road property. The green eyesore of an office building is scheduled to be demolished by the end of the year. Jerry Dasti, the lawyer representing the borough for the last couple of years, said the money comes in three forms: about $1.3 million in impact fees from PRC, the developer; $535,000 to help pay affordable housing obligations, and $600,000 the borough doesnt have to repay in a property tax appeal. This is a very fair and appropriate settlement, he said.

Temple Rummage Sale Coaster Photo: Temple Beth El in Ocean Township held a rummage sale over the weekend. Pictured at the sale were volunteers Charlotte Ginsburg, Julie Rosenblatt, Bunny Bloom and Doreen Lenderman.

By GARRETT STASSE
Tinton Falls property owners face a situation confronting nearly every municipality in Monmouth County: rising property taxes.
The 2008 budget, driven by higher costs for salaries, insurance and a loss of state aid, will rise by 5 percent this year, with taxpayers seeing a rate cut by about half, to 36 cents for each $100 of assessed valuation, yet an average $48 increase in the municipal portion of the property tax bill. The hike, based on a property assessed at $343,683 the municipal average for a house here is up from the $1,165 the owner paid last year.
The municipal levy is $10,317,640, up from $9,663,618 last year. The total spending package is $20,901,804 this year, against $19,916,089 in 2007.

By GARRETT STASSE
The Monmouth Regional School District is asking Tinton Falls to help resolve its budget impasse.
Eatontown and Shrewsbury Township rejected the school budget last month. Tinton Falls voters approved it but not by enough to keep it from failing by 42 votes. But now Tinton Falls is being asked to support lesser cuts than Eatontown has proposed.
School Superintendent Jamie Cleary asked the Borough Council on Tuesday to help convince the Eatontown Borough Council to soften its proposed $500,000 cut.

By GARRETT STASSE
The Tinton Falls Borough Council took a close look at its proposed 2008 municipal budget, and wasnt happy.
The borough, like nearly all suburban New Jersey towns, was hit hard by the loss of state aid, a softening real estate market and other factors beyond its control, and Mayor Peter Mclearies spending plan reflects it.
If adopted as is, the owners of a house valued at $343,683 the borough average would see the municipal portion of the property tax bill rise $49, he said.
The goal was a zero increase, but the loss of $178,902 in state aid, soaring fuel, pension and insurance costs wrecked that.