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Byram Council outlines 2025 budget goals, stressing recreation, roads, stormwater and fund-balance planning
Summary
Councilmembers presented 2025 goals emphasizing C.O. Johnson Field improvements (drainage, dog park, fieldhouse), road resurfacing strategy tied to utility work, zoning clarifications, grant-seeking and closer review of the township's elevated fund balance.
Councilmembers at the Aug. 13 Byram Township Council meeting presented their priorities for the 2025 municipal budget, with repeated emphasis on recreation facilities, road maintenance and stormwater improvements.
Township Manager Joseph Sabatini introduced a July 15 memo that set the 2025 budget process: departmental sub-accounts should start at zero; each request must include detailed justification and identify discretionary spending; no increase from the 2024 budget is expected with a goal to identify sustainable reductions; the CFO and manager will populate salary and wage lines; and department-head budget reviews will be scheduled in September. Sabatini said staff will support as many advertised budget workshops as the council needs to adopt the budget in early 2025.
Councilwoman Franco urged continued investment in C.O. Johnson Park, listing priorities including completion of drainage improvements for Field 8, dog-park planning, future fieldhouse repairs and improved park circulation. She also recommended pursuing grants for the municipal building project and updating zoning code language for accessory structures and corner lots.
Councilman Proctor said recreation momentum should continue, calling for evaluation of resurfacing the skate park, consideration of field lighting and a renovated fieldhouse to better serve seniors and sports groups. He also praised the Public Works staff and recommended targeted seasonal help for DPW for modest interior work at the Field House.
Councilman Roseff pressed for establishment of a formal resurfacing fund and schedule, closer attention to stormwater grant opportunities, a review of administrative staffing and a conservative forecasting approach for interest income and fund balance projections.
Mayor Rubenstein said he concurred with many of the proposals but does not favor changes to the administrative budget. Manager Sabatini warned that natural-gas installations and roadwork will complicate paving schedules but said the township should anticipate fund-balance and interest income in planning for 2025.
What happens next: the council will schedule budget-review meetings with department heads in September per the manager's memo and staff will prepare the draft budget for council consideration in advertised workshops leading to adoption in early 2025.
