| Author | Message | ||
     Buzzsaw |
Maplewood relents on state scrutiny of budget 02/23/01 BY ELIZABETH MOORE STAR-LEDGER STAFF After initially resisting the idea, the Maplewood Township Committee has embraced a call for a state budget review amid an uproar over the town's first property revaluation in nearly 20 years. Though the committee voted unanimously to request the review for 2002, the irony is the state Treasury Department's Local Government Review Board has such a backlog that it might not get to it in time. "I'm not sure that they would," said Francis Rapa, Treasury spokesman. "It could be a year or a year and a half." The idea of a state review was first proposed at a January public hearing called to deal with the public outcry over a revaluation that has dramatically increased some homeowners' tax bills. But it wasn't until Tuesday night, at the request of committee member Ellen Davenport, that the committee voted to ask for a local government budget review. The budget review is a service conducted for local municipalities and school districts by the state Treasury Department. The state sends out 3-person teams to towns, and the teams review financial statements, operating budgets, union agreements and interview staff to find ways that communities can save money. After the two- to four-week examination, the state releases a report to the town with its suggestions. "They review it, interview the heads of departments and make recommendations," Davenport said yesterday. She said committee members weren't opposed to the review, but felt it wasn't necessary, particularly as the township already has a local citizens group that reviews its annual budget. Because the review is free to the town and as the town is not bound by the report, Davenport said, she would be interested in hearing the state's advice. A day after adopting the resolution calling for the budget review, township committee members also voted to adopt the town's revaluation and forward the new property values to the Essex County Board of Taxation. Celia King, another township committee member who voted for the state review, agreed that the state's suggestions could be helpful. "We really view it as an aid, and (we welcome) any recommendation to help us streamline what we're already doing." Longtime Maplewood resident Eugene McNany, who first suggested the review, said he believes the committee's vote was a half-hearted gesture that happened only after residents began signing petitions asking for the review. "It's a move in the right direction," he said yesterday, but added that he expects the review to address the overall management of the town and to point out inefficiencies. "They look for areas whereby they can recommend improvements and so forth," he said. Treasury's Rapa said that since the service began in 1994, there have been 208 requests by New Jersey communities for the review. But because the state initially had only three working teams, only 46 have been completed. About 21 are currently under way. Though Maplewood is last in line for its review -- the state hasn't formally received the resolution requesting it yet -- the evaluation could be done more quickly as the state has 18 teams of reviewers in place, Rapa said. It may be unlikely that the review will be done in time for the 2002 budget, he said. Mayor Vic DeLuca said the committee requested a review for 2002 because it is already in the midst of the 2001 budget year. But Mary Devon O'Brien, the chairwoman of the community's Republican Party, said the committee should have requested the review much sooner. She sent a letter to committee members in early February after concern was raised at a meeting about using town pool funds in the township's operating budget. "There was a concern that the township was spending money that was not in the best interests of the people," she said. O'Brien said she welcomes the review and looks forward to hearing the state's recommendations. "There is nothing to lose and everything to gain," she said. Other towns that have participated in the budget review program include West Orange, Paterson, Montville and Morristown. | ||
| Mem |
I am still laughling cracking up about that rocket scientist's comment in town about the review, "I don't want outsiders coming in and telling us what to do. The TC is doing a great job". ????? And this person grew up here. A free government review of how we may be able to save money, etc. A no brainer. | ||
| Bobk |
The next step is to get the BOE to request a review as well. This may very well step up the time frame. Given the fact that Maplewoodians may very well be picking up more of the BOE budget and the county government budge, time is of the essence. | ||
| Thoughtful |
I met a person in the village on Saturday (you, Mem?) who was soliciting signatures for the budget review. She approached me and said, "I'm soliciting signatures for a petition to have the US (yes, she said US) Department of the Treasury come in and review the town's budge and the Board of Ed's budget. The town doesn't want to do it, and we need it." Now, I could have asked, "How is the Federal Government going to help us? What program is that?" But I didn't. I could have asked, "Is South Orange going to go along with this Budget Review, since they're involved with the BOE?" But I didn't. I could have asked, "How will you force with TC to accept your petition?" But I didn't. Instead, I said that I didn't want to sign, because I didn't want outsiders coming in to tell us what to do. (I'm still uncomfortable with the notion, btw). The person soliciting the signatures immediately responded, "Oh, so you're happy with the job the Township Committee is doing?" I should have pointed out her flawed logic(either you're for the petition or you're happy with the TC--no middle ground) but I didn't.Instead, I said, yes, I am happy with the job they're doing. She replied with shock, as if NO ONE can be happy with their work. Then she said, "well, I've lived here all my life, and I'm not satisfied," as if a person has to live in Maplewood a certain amount of time before they have a right to be satisfied or dissatisfied with the Township Committee. I told her, "I've lived here my whole life as well." Her next challenge: "Oh yeah, when did you graduate from Columbia?" I told her, and she said, "Humpf, so young." So, I'm not old enough, not smart enough, and don't have enough residency to understand what a "no brainer" it is to have the state come in and review the town's budget in two years. If I'm the "rocket scientist" you're referring to Mem (I was wearing a red jacket by the Book Store), I have one correction and one question for you. Correction: I do have a Ph. D., but it's not in rocket science. Question: Now that the TC has agreed to request the review, should you now be happy with their work and I be unhappy? | ||
| Buzzsaw |
I agree with BobK. Is that a service that the state provides? Speaking of the BOE, does anyone know the names of the current members? | ||
| Mem |
Thoughtful, I was repeating what a relative told me (and I have many, so good luck trying to figure out who it might have been). But based on your post - are you sure you don't have a Phd in rocket science? Maybe you've misplaced it! I'm kidding...so don't waste your time getting your panties in a bunch. | ||
| Alidah |
I read in the Ledger today that the state does indeed provide this service to Boards of Ed. How does one propose this to the BOE? | ||
| Michael |
Attend the next BOE meeting and suggest that they also ask for the review. Buzzsaw, http://www.somsd.k12.nj.us/boe.htm will give you info on the BOE | ||
| Tracks |
How come the state does not review themselves which is where most of the money is? And they are the ones who somehow using all these resources managed to give ain icrease to Millburn's BOE and not to ours. Scary that people would want them giving us an analysis. | ||
| Jennie |
Scary? What's scary to me is my property tax bill. A free, nonbinding review seems pretty benign. Sometimes you lose perspective when you are too close to a situation, and it's nice to get another point of view. Just what is Millburn doing better than us to squeeze more money out of the state? Maybe we should ask for some budget help from them. | ||
| Overtaxdalready |
I agree Jennie. Let's get some fresh eyes to look things over. Certainly couldn't hurt. | ||
| Tracks |
To me fresh eyes would mean a third party service that specializes in municipal budgets, not the state government. | ||
| Joancrystal |
Free. Non-binding. So desireable there is a waiting list over a year long. What's the problem here? Are we afraid that these 'experts from Trenton" may come up with an original idea or two that might actually work? This seems a win/win situation to me. | ||
| Beach |
I think it's the "fresh eyes" that's the problem for some. | ||
| Buzzsaw |
So, the State Government is after us now too? Is that what is going on here, Tracks? | ||
| Njjoseph |
Joancrystal -- I'd love an original idea to come from Trenton. My gut says there will be nothing other than the standard cost-cutting. I'd love to cut taxes, but at what price? We have all been complaining about a part-time tax assessor; what would it take to make him full-time? What would it take to add another teacher when class size has reached its limit? How do we get the police to respond when our cars are stolen on Sunday afternoons? Or when our neighbors are murdered? How do we improve the sound system at Town Hall? How do we get more snow plows out so that every road is cleared in a reasonable amount of time? How do we get better paving of streets? How de we revitalize Springfield Ave., hopefully creating a larger commercial ratable base? We sit here and complain about everything we're missing and the services that aren't adequate. Trenton is not going to look at us as the special town we are. Let's do the review, as it's free and non-binding. However, let's also keep in mind when it's finished that there will be a price to implement the recommendations. Maybe we'll get better teachers and snow plowing, but have to give up 2 or 3 police officers. Or vice-versa. I hope that we will be able to vote on the recommendations as a town, rather than leave the decision-making to a handful or two of town officials. | ||
| Tracks |
The problem with this free service is that it comes from the very people who have created the problem. They want to come in and tell towns what they are doing wrong while wasting millions of dollars at the state level. If they had their house in order we would get more state aid and that is what we need most. And the service is not free, it is paid for with out tax dollars! | ||
| Njjoseph |
Good point! | ||
| Johnjdel |
"To me fresh eyes would mean a third party service that specializes in municipal budgets, not the state government." When, oh when, will we have enough of the consultants and the specialists and the "third party experts?" We have seen a line of PAID consultants come in and tell us what to do with Springfield Avenue, how to generate a "Master Plan", and decide whether the revaluation treated us fairly. And the problem with the paid consultation is that, because of the payment, we feel obligated to use the recommendation. When was the last time a $200,000 endeavor was tossed out the door? (see: Certified Valuations, Inc.) Its time, as The-Folks-Who-Pay-The-Bills, that people be given a little credit in having the ability to think for themselves. We have had NOTHING BUT outsiders come to Maplewood, tell us what's best for us, and push the political agenda right along. A consultation that requires no compensation is thus "free." A consultation that is non-binding requires that it be examined by people who know what is best for this community. It provides nothing more than ideas which would have to be evaluated by you and I. My vote would count as much as yours, since neither of us were paid to give our opinion. In truth, for this TC to vote for a Budget Review is a bold step, and certainly not typical of what they would usually do, which is hire a consultant. Democratic. Community-oriented. Home-rule, in the end, isn't it? | ||
| Nilmiester |
I am sure when the review gets done our "books" will all be in order, must like your home when having an open house. I hope they can look back a couple of years and see where our money has been going going to. A side note to Johndel - Don't let people re-write history for you. I thought both Republican women candidates were good though maybe inexperienced but you have to start somewhere. The rest of the TC did. The men candidates were totally unavailable. Their website was good and the issues were clear. People just didn't care until it hit their pocketbooks. | ||
| Njjoseph |
Nil, to which female candidates are you referring? And which male candidates were unavailable? | ||
| Beach |
Refreshing to see how involved Maplewood is in it's local politics! | ||
| Johnjdel |
this is worthy of a new thread:Republican Party in Maplewood. could be interesting, yes? |
