Palmyra introduces 2018 budget, trims proposed downtown parking enforcement spending

The Borough of Palmyra introduced its 2018 municipal budget March 17 during a budget workshop that also removed a proposed $61,000 parking‑enforcement line and advanced ordinance and resolutions for public hearing April 16.

Mayor Michelle Arnold led the session where municipal administrator Mr. Gural and finance staff reviewed appropriations, surplus use and capital needs. Mr. Gural told the governing body the introduced budget uses $920,000 from surplus and that councilors were considering an additional $300,000 paydown of bond principal to avoid converting a 2017 band into a higher‑cost general obligation bond. "We are using $920,000.00 from surplus on the revenue side to offset the tax levy," Mr. Gural said.

Mr. Nehila, presenting the tax impact, said the introduced local purpose tax rate is 1.22 cents, up from last year's rate and representing an average homeowner increase of $35.26 (about a 1.99% rise), or roughly $2.94 monthly. Council agreed to apply an additional $20,000 from surplus during the session, a change Mr. Nehila said would lower the average household impact in a presented scenario.

Parking enforcement proposal removed Chief Pearlman asked council to fund four Class I special officers to enforce downtown parking, describing staffing limits and a proposed enforcement schedule that would cover 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., seven days a week. "It has to be enforced or it will never be complied with," Chief Pearlman said, arguing for targeted parking enforcement to address chronic violations.

Several council members questioned the cost and the available data. President Bernadette Russell noted limited ticketing statistics, and Ms. Mindie Weiner said other downtown priorities might take precedence. After discussion, councilors voted to remove the $61,000 line for parking enforcement from the 2018 budget and referred the matter back to the public safety committee for further study.

Sewer staffing, capital projects and rate outlook Council approved provisional budget allocations for sewer staffing increases: Mr. Gural recommended a $1.96 per hour raise for Mr. Benson, the borough's Level II licensed sewer operator, bringing his wage to $29.50 per hour, and a $1.65 per hour increase for Mr. Petitte as he completes required certifications. Mr. Gural warned that, despite available sewer surplus balances, a sewer rate increase will likely be required in late 2018 or early 2019 to sustain operations.

He outlined two major sewer capital projects that remain on the schedule: a Public Road pump elimination project estimated at about $840,000 and a Berkley Avenue pump station project estimated at roughly $1.35 million. Mr. Gural said existing project cash could reduce the borrowing need for the larger project.

Public safety and police department items The workshop covered several police‑related budget items beyond parking enforcement. Council discussed proposed pay adjustments for department staff, a deferred hire for a part‑time evidence technician, a one‑time accreditation fee with ongoing maintenance costs, and an officer wellness program that would permit two counseling visits per officer. Council generally left these items in the preliminary budget pending formal adoption steps.

Nonprofits, community center and other operating items Nonprofit donation requests were reviewed, including a $5,000 request from the Palmyra War Memorial Committee, which Mr. Gural said had submitted required documents and an operating agreement signed by the mayor. Council discussed Palmyra Community Center Program Board funding and a $10,000 line that helps pay YMCA camp tuition for selected students; the council retained the YMCA tuition support pending potential grant adjustments later in the year.

Capital priorities and next steps Council reviewed a list of road and park projects, noting available capital balances (about $404,000 for required down payments) and several projects that will be brought back for final approval and separate resolutions before funds are spent. Mayor Arnold emphasized that any individual capital purchase would return to council for approval.

Ordinance and resolutions advanced President Bernadette Russell moved and the council unanimously approved Ordinance 2018‑01 on first reading to exceed municipal budget appropriation limits and establish a CAP bank under N.J.S.A. 40A:4‑45.14; the public hearing is scheduled for April 16. Council also unanimously approved Resolution 2018‑102 certifying compliance with federal Equal Employment Opportunity Title VII and Resolution 2018‑103 to introduce the 2018 budget for public hearing.

The budgeting workshop concluded after council agreed on several allocations and adjustments and set the introduced budget for formal public hearing on April 16, 2018. The governing body adjourned at 1:20 p.m.