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Washington Township council continues 2026 budget review, trims several line items and debates capital vehicle purchases
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Summary
At a March 31 special meeting, the Township of Washington council reviewed the 2026 municipal budget and three‑year capital plan, approving several modest line‑item reductions, asking for procurement and debt premium clarifications, and deferring a final decision on some police vehicle purchases and major capital items to the next session.
The Township of Washington council continued review of the 2026 municipal budget on March 31, 2026, approving several small line‑item reductions and asking administrators for further documentation on procurement and debt accounting.
Council President Susana DeSantis opened the special meeting, confirmed attendees including Mayor Peter Calamari and Administrator Mark DeCarlo, and moved the council through departmental pages of the budget book. Administrator Mark DeCarlo provided line‑by‑line explanations of several public works, recreation and public safety budget requests and described how unused appropriations from prior years were being transferred into trust accounts for accumulated leave and snow removal.
DeCarlo told the council the DPW had spent roughly $43,000 so far this year on overtime because of major snowstorms and that the township had received roughly $10,000–$12,000 in county reimbursements for a large storm; he said the administration transferred $25,000 into a snow trust during annual financial closing to build reserves. "We did just get a check from the county for the big snowstorm," DeCarlo said, pointing to repairs that also reduce available funds.
Members approved several small amendments during the meeting. A motion to reduce a DPW office supplies line by $400 was made and passed. Council also agreed to reduce the oxygen and fire extinguisher line from its initial request by $500 to $1,500 after discussion about frequency of replacement and recent spending. Multiple other modest adjustments — including a cut to a recycling line and reductions to tree‑removal and maintenance items — were discussed and acted on during roll calls.
On larger line items, the council examined the new 2026 curbside recycling contract with Gaeta. DeCarlo said the pickup contract is approximately $174,000 with an estimated $20,000 in drop‑off costs, an increase partly offset in prior years by recycling tonnage and clean‑communities grants that have largely been spent down. "We've supplemented in the past with unused grant lines," he said, and warned the council grant support is dwindling.
Budget discussion turned to capital as the council reviewed a proposed three‑year capital plan that included engineering and roads work, playground and field improvements, and public safety equipment. Members sharply debated a police vehicle package (two Tahoes and three utility vehicles). Some council members favored moving vehicle purchases into the operating budget or cutting quantities; others argued the vehicles’ useful life supports capitalization. A motion to reduce the vehicles to a smaller package failed and the council deferred a final placement and funding decision to the next meeting, directing staff to return with clearer options and financial implications.
Public safety topics also drew substantive discussion. The fire department’s Length‑of‑Service Award Program (LOSAP) and related payout calculations were reviewed; the fire chief described the points‑based system used to certify eligibility and the administration said it will introduce a resolution to permit a small CPI‑based LOSAP adjustment consistent with the local finance notice.
Council members also asked the administration to provide a written procurement update and an explanation of a one‑time premium received on prior short‑term borrowing that lowers debt‑service net costs this year but may complicate the 2027 picture. CMFO John Corcoran agreed to provide clearer documentation on how the premium is accounted for and how it affects next year’s budget.
The meeting ended with direction to return outstanding items — including radio procurement details, the police vehicle funding placement and a follow‑up on Golden Seniors’ program accounting — to the next scheduled meeting for final decisions.
The council adjourned with staff tasked to supply the requested procurement and debt explanations and to bring updated budget language and ordinances to the next session.
