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Maplewoodgop
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 20, 2001 - 9:12 pm: |     |
The Maplewood Township Committee tonight voted unanimously in favor of a resolution to request a state review of the 2002 budget. In a motion introduced by Committeeperson Ellen Davenport,the Township of Maplewood will petition the Department of Treasury for a Local Government Budget Review.
The move by the Township Committee comes in the wake of two ongoing petition drives in support of the state review. Up until tonight, the Township Committee had refused to endorse such a resolution. Beginning in January, a local citizens group began the call for a state review and launched a petition drive. Later that month, the Maplewood Republican County Committee passed a unanimous resolution of its own asking the Township to request a review. They have recently launched their own petition drive.
The Local Government Review Board provides cost-cutting assistance to municipalities at no charge whatsoever. When their review is complete, their recommendations are non-binding and open to discussion by the local government. According to their website, in 17 completed municipal reviews the LGBR found $47 million in suggested savings, an average of over $2.8 million per review. There is a waiting list at least a year long for the review. Neighbors currently on the waiting list include West Orange and Springfield.
All Committee members voted in favor of this resolution, while making it clear that suggestions made by the LGBR are non-binding and the final budget decisions will be made within Maplewood. Said Davenport at the meeting, "I'm a big supporter of home rule." |
Overtaxdalready
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 20, 2001 - 10:00 pm: | |
That's good news. Thanks for the update. |
Marie
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 20, 2001 - 10:31 pm: | |
The bad news is that there is 1-2 year wait list
due to the success of the program... |
Melidere
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 20, 2001 - 10:33 pm: | |
lol |
Townie
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 20, 2001 - 10:35 pm: | |
If true, how disappointing. Well, at least people will no longer think I'm on the TC!
kathleen |
Paulrevere
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 20, 2001 - 10:44 pm: | |
Our previous post here was removed. We will try to post again. Why would anyone object to a free audit of how Maplewood can save money? Once again, a comment in town, "Why do we need outsiders to tell us how to spend money. The TC is doing a great job". The TC members have full time jobs, they are not auditors, and should be grateful for free help. I don't get it. We think it's a great chance to have an objective audit done. Our taxes pay for it anyway.
One - two year waits can be circumvented, esp. with petitions.
LOL!!!! |
Dave
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 20, 2001 - 11:49 pm: | |
No posts were removed. |
Michael
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 21, 2001 - 9:07 am: | |
To be absolutely clear, the resolution passed was to invite the Local Government Budget Review to assist in the 2002 budget not the 2001. Although this is definitely a step in the right direction, one has to wonder why not ask for assistance with the 2001 budget ? As I understand it ,Ms. Davenport's reasoning is that we are already too far in the thick of it for 2001.
I , for one, believe that the Local Government Budget Review committee should take a look at the town's current budget. If this review is to provide viable cost saving suggestions, we could all use them sooner rather than later. |
Bak
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 21, 2001 - 10:49 am: | |
Maybe it was approved unanimously for the next TC to deal with(??)
The good news is that whoever signs up to run for TC will know full well what they could be in for during their tenure.
I would imagine that Mr. DeLuca would have to analyze his quality-of-life quotient as it relates to stress and conclude he and his family would be better off and live longer with an alternative hobby. I mean no disrespect, it just seems like Mr. DeLuca has aged over 5 years in the last 3 months, with Mr. Ryan not far behind,
Ms. Davenport and Mr Liebman tied for 3rd losing a few years each, while Ms. King seems to be getting younger. |
Johnjdel
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 21, 2001 - 11:36 am: | |
The problem is the backlog at the state. Apparently the waiting list for the LGBR is over a year long. Even if they asked for a 2001 review, it probably wouldn't happen until 2002.
Historically, according to the article in the 2/11 Star Ledger, municipal reviews that are paired with school board reviews get moved up the waiting list. Of course, that would require a request approved by the BOE. Last night, the TC said they would make the suggestion to the BOE but that's all they could do (which is true). You have to wonder how South Orange will react to being dragged into this. |
Johnjdel
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 21, 2001 - 11:37 am: | |
fyi...while I'm sure this has been posted somewhere else in the cyber-abyss, you can get plenty of LGBR info at
www.state.nj.us/lgbr |
Vicdeluca
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 21, 2001 - 12:31 pm: | |
Bak - I have only been mayor for about 50 days. Granted that I lost a few nights of sleep, but do I look that bad? |
Nakaille
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 21, 2001 - 1:12 pm: | |
Vic and other TC members: if you're watching this thread today.... Please seriously consider moving the meeting to CHS. Put a sign up at town hall and begin at 8 if necessary.
Also, during the public comments section, please consider changing the format so that speakers can alternate pro and con. This is essentially a public debate and alternating viewpoints actually stimulates the discussion. It also prevents people from walking away (or turning off the TV) after two hours thinking that theirs is the only viewpoint being voiced or that their viewpoint is not being voiced at all.
Bacata |
Bak
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 21, 2001 - 2:00 pm: | |
Vic-
In your defense, it may have been the memory of you at CHS at 1:30AM.
But my husband and I were talking about how stress, in general, can take years off your life. At the same time, we brought up your name. |
Eb1154
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 21, 2001 - 5:12 pm: | |
Maplewoodgap,
These reviews may have showed a total of $47mil in savings but at what expense. There was a previous post that broke down the review of one town and the state's suggestions (I believe it was West Orange) and their ideas will probably cost a lot more in the town's quality of life than it's worth.
Dave, you should set up some kind of post for people who are for the review and those who are against the review and then stick it in the archives and then we can revisit it when the state comes in and see if any of those for it are complaining about the cuts.
P.S. The grass isn't always greener on the other side. |
Melidere
| | Posted on Thursday, February 22, 2001 - 8:52 am: | |
Vic,
I am the first to get annoyed when the press includes the 'outfits' of prominent women as part of the 'news' about what they are doing...but in this case, you asked, so...imho...and with due deference to your charming wife....
you look great.
(blushes) |
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