Politics & Government

Borough Unanimously Adopts 2012 Budget

The budget includes a 7 percent increase to the local tax levy.

In its first order of business at the meeting Monday night, the Council unanimously passed the 2012 municipal budget.

No member of the public opted to speak on the budget, which includes a 7 percent local tax levy increase.

The budget includes $102,986.61 for Open Space, Recreation, Farmland and Historic Preservation Trust Funds and $757,825.24 to support the .

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In an effort to increase the borough's tax base, Lonergan said the committee and Borough Engineer Vincent J. DeNave will assess some of the empty lots in town to see if they can be sold.

"We actually have a fair number of parcels of land, but the difficulty for building is, they're unique," Council President James Lonergan said.

Find out what's happening in Chathamwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

By "unique," he meant the parcels are not ideally set up for development of houses. Still, he said, if the parcels can be sold, it could help mitigate increases to the local tax levy in future years.

In other business:

  • The council passed an ordinance in town to recycle 50 percent of the material generated.
  • The council passed a resolution proclaiming Sunday, May 6 as Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure North Jersey Race for the Cure Day in the borough and encouraging all residents to participate in this year's race.
  • The council appointed three residents, Christine Grobart, Marcia D. Casais and Catherine DiFiglia, to the .
  • The council passed two bond ordinances in the amount of $1,039,851 and $257,000 for new and replacement equipment, including communications, water utility and information technology equipment, for "various public improvements."


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