Borough Council Approves 2011 Budget

Mountainside Borough Council approved the 2011 municipal budget at the April 19th meeting. Taxes will increase $128.88 for the average-assessed property.  The total budget will increase $383,757.25. The council also approved the second reading of an ordinance creating a cap bank.

Mayor Paul N. Mirabelli outlined changes from the 2010 budget, showing cuts and increases in a variety of areas. The borough’s operational budget was decreased by $34,127 and salaries were decreased by $11,000. The police department budget was increased by $30,979 due to contractually-obligated salary increases. Insurances, including healthcare, increased $79,000 with $69,879 of that increase falling outside the tax cap restriction. Pension contributions increased $139,461, with $126,992 falling outside the tax cap, as well. The Rahway Valley Sewer Authority (RVSA) costs increased $33,500. The snow removal line item was increased $94,792.  Additionally, the budget includes a projected $58,217 increase in revenue though recreation department fees, construction permits and sewer fees. This increase offsets the approximately $31,000 of miscellaneous revenue lost from safety fees and investments.

The increase announced includes both the municipal and library portions of the budget, in the interest of clarity for the tax payer. New legislation separates the two budgets into separate line items on tax bills and exempts library costs from the tax cap. An amendment to the budget creates the second line item. Mirabelli noted that while the library budget is now outside the tax cap, the 2011 library budget uses less public funds than the 2010 budget.

Before the budget introduction, the council gave a standing ovation to Gina Perrotta and Jeanie Ruban, winners of the Mabel Young Good Neighbor Award for volunteerism and service to the community. Janet Skinner, of the Mabel Young Committee, began the presentation by telling the crowd about Perrotta and Ruban’s lifelong friendship and the various accomplishments of both women, including their joint efforts to revive the PTA fair by creating the “Fall Festival.”

“I would like to thank all the volunteers I have worked with over the years. These people truly make Mountainside the place it is,” said Perrotta, who is a member of the Mountainside Education Foundation, was the PTA president for two years and coaches a variety of youth sports.

“I call it ‘Mountainside magic.’ You call and they come,” said Ruban of the town-wide spirit of friendship and volunteerism. Ruban was PTA vice-president for two years, is a board member for the Police Athletic League (PAL) and Mountainside Youth Baseball (MYB), oversees MYB’s snack shack and also coaches a variety of youth sports.

The balance of the meeting consisted of the approval of the emergency replacement of an air conditioner at Borough Hall, appointing summer playground staff and awarding a contract to B&K Concession to run the snack bar for the 2011 pool season. Additionally, the council authorized the advertisement for bids for pothole repairs, not to exceed $25,000. The council also authorized the purchase of a $300 savings bond to be awarded to the valedictorian and a $200 savings bond to be awarded to the salutatorian of the Deerfield School graduating class.

Councilman William R. Lane ended the meeting by commending the Mountainside Fire Department for their exemplary response to the recent fire at the Hamilton House apartment complex in Westfield.