GARWOOD — DuringThursday’s regular meeting of the Garwood mayor and council, the regular order of business was briefly suspended to hold a public hearing on Resolution 24-086 for the adoption of the 2024 Municipal Budget. The budget totals $11,360,764.29, with $7.296 million coming from taxes.
Resident Bruce Paterson, who said he also sent a letter to the governing body with concerns regarding the budget, said Thursday that the borough’s plan to reduce its existing debt could be standing in the way of other necessary community services. He also said that the debt will go up with the million borrowed this year and a hypothesized two million the following year.
“That money is being sucked out of the budget to pay down the debt and could be used for better programs for the residents,” said Mr. Paterson.
Mr. Paterson also raised concerns about the rise in salaries and wages and the number of employees being hired by the borough, stating that the budget for salaries and wages has gone up 9 percent over the last two years.
He additionally criticized the council for its use of $610,000 in PILOT funding that the borough stands to generate through an existing redevelopment agreement this year.
“I’m not too happy that you kept all the PILOT money and gave only 50 grand to the board of ed,” Mr. Paterson said. “I push for you to be doing a lot more.”
Mayor Jen Blumenstock responded to Mr. Paterson’s comments and questions. She also raised concerns about his statement regarding adding $2 million worth of debt to next year’s budget, saying, “It’s kind of crazy to announce that because that has never been discussed.” CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
Councilman Sean Foley added that the number of employees had decreased from 36 to 33 this year due to retirements in the court administrator office, with the administrator now being shared with Fanwood, and turnovers in the police department.
“It’s fun to get up and say we’re hiring like crazy but just not the truth,” said Mayor Blumenstock. “The PILOT money is being used as a revenue source to help offset increases this year, and the best use of it at this point, given inflation.”
She also pointed out that even though residents’ tax impacts are going up, the PILOT money prevents them from increasing even further.
The 2024 Municipal Budget was adopted with Councilman Foley, Councilwoman Karina Boto, Council President Vincent Kearny, Councilman Marc Lazarow and Councilwoman Clarissa Nolde voting yes, and Councilwoman Kimberly Salmon voting no.
