Township committee reviews draft budget, weighing closure of associate library and other cuts to close $489,000 gap

The township committee reviewed its draft 2025 budget and discussed a range of measures to close an estimated $489,000 shortfall, including possible changes to local library services, cuts to departmental spending and use of fund balance. Staff told the committee the draft includes $82,500 for the associate library’s salaries and operating costs but noted the library is an "associate" (affiliate) of the county system and not established by referendum.

Why it matters: the committee must balance statutory requirements for reserves with local spending and tax rates. Staff explained that a required reserve for uncollected taxes—about $625,000 in the draft—must be included in totals even though it is unlikely to be spent, and that 1¢ on the tax rate is worth roughly $93,000 to the township. That math means closing the gap with taxes alone could require roughly a 5¢ increase unless the committee reduces appropriations or uses fund balance.

Staff member (S2), who presented the budget, walked the group through line items and clarifications. S2 summarized how the library’s funding works and the choices available: “It turns out that our library is officially called an associate library. That means that it was not created by referendum… There's no legal requirement to fund or keep that library open.” S2 added that the $418,000 figure sometimes discussed in town refers to what a full municipal library financed by a 1/3 mill could cost, whereas the township currently pays the county a lower, negotiated amount reflected in the draft budget.

Committee members pressed for options that would avoid a large tax increase. Committee member (S3) described a possible transition plan with the county: “In lieu of having that physical library, we could have a drop off here that they would put in, and you'd still get basically what's happening over there.” Other members raised the potential one-time proceeds from selling or leasing the building and the recurring savings from eliminating the township’s library appropriation.

The committee also reviewed other cost drivers. Staff reported the gas and diesel line at $75,000 (about $65,000 spent last year), noted the police pension appropriation fell due to state billing timing, and described an accumulated-leave trust of about $326,000. S2 said a multiyear retro payroll obligation tied to a newly approved contract (CWA) will be covered in part by $60,000 in the current draft plus remaining prior-year appropriations.

Members highlighted additional savings opportunities: the police chief told the committee he could cut about $50,000 (overtime), and the committee discussed trimming the capital improvement contribution. S2 recommended waiting for final auditor numbers for fund balance and collection rates before making large adjustments.

On utilities and accounting, staff said the township will streamline multiple electric/oil/telephone/Internet accounts into consolidated categories to improve clarity; members also flagged apparent miscoding of some hydrant and library water charges that staff said they would correct.

The session produced no final vote on the budget. The committee asked the Hunterdon County Library director (James, referenced by staff) to present services and a lockbox/drop-off option to show residents what county offerings they might retain if the township reduced or ended its local appropriation. The committee scheduled department presentations and a follow-up budget meeting next week; procedural motions to close public comment and to adjourn passed by roll call at the meeting’s end.

Next steps: staff will provide updated fund-balance figures after the auditor completes financial statements, present estimates for library-cleaning and park maintenance as requested, and arrange a county-library presentation so members can evaluate service alternatives before finalizing the budget.