Garwood Council Approves 2013 Budget, $95 Increase Per $100,000 in Home Assessment

At their Tuesday night meeting and public budget hearing, Garwood Council approved the proposed 2013 budget by a vote of 4 to 1, with new councilman Steven Blaufeder abstaining.

The budget calls for a tax increase of $95 per $100,000 in home assessment, or 9.5 tax points, which equates to a 3.31 percent increase over last year's budget.

Council President and Finance Chair Sara Todisco said she was pleased the budget passed and noted some of the new services that it will provide the borough, including the under-construction Athletic Field Complex, a quarterly newsletter and a new borough website. Todisco previously reported that several increases in this year's budget were out of the borough's control, including an $62,000 increase in health care costs, a $60,000 increase in payment to the Rahway Valley Sewerage Authority, an increase of $76,000 in police salaries and wages due to contractual agreements, and an increase of $21,000 in police pensions.

Councilman Jim Mathieu, the lone vote against the budget, again voiced strong concerns about the borough's spending. Mathieu said he feels the increase in the borough's authorized debt and outstanding debt – especially due to the Athletic Field Complex – is alarming.

"We are spending money like it's going out of style and accruing debt like it's going out of style and we have a very big problem here," said Mathieu. "Mayor, your administration, that’s where the debt is taking off. This is going to crowd out other obligations, new needs like a new fire truck or any type of new equipment. And then I heard from other councilmembers that we are going to borough for those, too. Where is it going to end? The thing I have problem with in this particular budget is it shows no priority. If everything is important, than nothing is important. In place of the Athletic Field Complex, what things have we chosen to forgo? Or is the answer we aren’t going to forgo anything? I don’t know which is more disturbing."

Mathieu further stated that he felt that the finance committee had been lazy in attempting to whittle down the budget and then asked the mayor's opinion of the budget, since she joined the committee after Councilman Victor DeFilippo's resignation.

"I went into the budget meetings with questions and suggestions as to other areas that could be cut," responded the mayor. "With regard to the RVSA, Capt. Pipala's retirement, and health insurance costs, these are all very difficult, difficult areas. We did take some money and move it, but there are certain areas where I can’t see taking more money away because it would cause irreparable harm. I’m not happy with the increase. I realize that a percentage of that is the Athletic Field Complex, a very big percentage. But we were at a point where we were going to have to either move forward or eliminate the project totally, which would have put very heavy tax burden to have to satisfy the debt already incurred with project. ... That would be sour pill to swallow with nothing to show for it. I believe the project will enhance the value for all real estate in Garwood."

Todisco added that she has not and will not put the budget down, and has continued talks to find areas that could be reduced in the future.

Council also voted against establishing a cap bank after a tie vote that was decided by the mayor. (Councilmembers Todisco, Palmer and Petruzelli were for a cap bank and Councilmembers Mathieu, Nierstedt and Blaufeder were against it.) A cap bank would allow the council to bank the difference between its final appropriations and the amount it would have been able to spend up to the two-percent cap (a total of $85,000 this year), allowing council to exceed appropriations if need be. This is the second year the decision on a cap bank has come down to a tie vote from the mayor. Last year, she also voted against establishing a cap bank.

Other news:

• June primary. There are three Republican candidates facing off for two spots in the November election where two council seats will be up for grabs. Running as Republicans within the Regular Garwood GOP are Steven Blaufeder (who was recently chosen to fill the unexpired term of Victor DeFilippo) and Mike Martin (who ran in the 2012 election). Running as a Conservative Republican is current council member Jim Mathieu. The Garwood Democrats did not submit any names for the primary. Party Chairman Charles Lombardo told Patch the they are still talking with potential candidates. For those candidates to appear on the November ballot, they will need at least five write-in votes each in the primary.

• Two new police officers. On Tuesday's agenda were resolutions approving the hiring of two new Garwood police officers, Andrew Horan and Christopher Czachorowski, who were lateral transfers from the Union County Sheriff's Department and Hudson County Sheriff's Department.

• Chamber of commerce update. The meeting began with a presentation from Carol Kearney, Garwood's business liaison who is involved with the Greater Westfield Area Chamber of Commerce, of which Garwood is now a part. Kearney reported that membership in the GWAC is up to 305 members, of which 32 are Garwood businesses and 34 are nonprofits. Kearney also listed upcoming GWAC events, including their "Strong Kids Campaign" wine and cheese event on April 21 and a networking event in May at the new Garwood Y Family Center. For more information, visit westfieldbiz.org.

• Road projects limited because of funding. Borough Engineer Don Guarriello reported that the lowest bid received for this round of road projects has come in too low to complete the entire project. Council was given the choice of increasing the bond for the project by $30,000 or cutting one of the three areas to be done. Council members chose to cut the area of Maple Avenue between Spruce and Myrtle avenues, as it was the smallest and least costly. The areas that will be worked on are Willow Avenue between Maple Avenue and West Street and drainage work on Hickory Avenue between Lexington Avenue and East Street. Also, Gallows Hill Road, which is home to one property in Garwood, will be repaved by Cranford. 

• Several properties are encroaching on Athletic Field Complex. Guarriello also reported that there are four properties encroaching on borough property that will become the new Athletic Field Complex. Some of the encroachments (fences, driveways, sheds) span several feet into the AFC property. Guarriello reported that the homeowners have been notified but only one has taken measures to rectify the problem. Borough Attorney Robert Renaud suggested the town have an independent survey done to confirm the property boundaries and then notify the owners of when the encroachments must be removed by or else they will be forcibly removed by the borough. 

• Spraying the brook. Whether or not to spray the brook for vegetation (which the Board of Health has done in previous years to control vermon) has been of concern to Councilman Bill Nierstedt as he wanted to investigate what chemicals are used and whether they could be harmful. Borough Administrator Christina Ariemma said the borough is behind on getting this done if they are going to spray. Nierstedt said he will have a report for council next meeting.

• A smoking section at the Athletic Field Complex? Resident and Planning Board Member Bruce Paterson asked if the new AFC will include a smoking area, as the Little League Field currently does have one. Council members were unsure of whether one would be permitted given the Green Acres grant that will help fund the project. Council members also weren't sure whether or not they would want a smoking area. The mayor said they will look into and discuss it.

• Repairs on northside clock, Center Street flagpole. Councilman Bill Nierstedt reported that the clock on the north side of town is currently broken and is being worked on. Borough Administrator Christina Ariemma said that the quotes for fixing the clock were quite high and so she is working to obtain more information on the life of the clock, its age and the cost of replacing it. Nierstedt also reported that a leaning flagpole on Center Street is not structurally unsound and is being worked on.