Aschenbach: Proposals For a Leaner Budget

Editor's note: This piece was written by Daniel Aschenbach, Commissioner of Public Affairs. It has not been edited, though some links to additional info have been provided. If you'd like to submit a letter to the editor, email whitney@patch.com.

I have done this type of memo every year that I have served since 1987. My objective has been to contribute by proposing ideas to better balance property taxes and a strong service level. I urge that these proposals be considered.

(1) Before any further discussion of affecting current service levels do a line-by-line evaluation of budget items not by department but by type of expenditure. For example, review subscriptions, cell phones, professional memberships, computers and municipal car use. Target 10 percent savings.

(2) Request state legislators to restore Cranford's state aid cut of $700,000. All this cut will do is raise local property taxes. Cranford does not waste money and should not be targeted like this in a broad stroke of indifference.

(3) Request Governor to fund the flood control capital improvement program since the cause of the flooding is largely regional and not local.

(4) First negotiate with Union County College to increase the in-lieu of tax payments. Ask state legislators to support state legislation to permit a $ per student fee. (estimated at $150,000)

(5) Corporate sponsorship of July 4th fireworks and charge $1 admission fee ($10,000)

(6) Use county SLAP community service workers to do various labor intensive public works projects

(7) End the garage deficit that has reached $150,000 and will reach $250,000 if we do not implement changes. Deficit means taxpayers pick up the garage loss. We need to act now on this to incorporate in budget.

      (a) Shift 25 long-term North side spaces to garage to free-up additional retail spaces where needed. This will add vital retail spaces and yield more revenue per space than now in garage since THE SPACES ARE EMPTY.

      (b) Raise the out of town commuter parking permits to $950 per year for parking in garage and elsewhere. Market the spaces for garage to the six towns nearby that have waiting lists.

      (c) Let more of the held back retail spaces for additional commuter spaces on a monthly basis until retail comes!

      (d) Market overnight parking better. 

      (e) Permit ATT to install cell tower on roof

      (f) Develop a DMC-Crossings marketing campaign to push the retail so retail parking spaces are used which is the best revenue producer

(8) Do not lease NJ Transit train station. Appoint citizen task force to evaluate purchase and redevelopment possibility ($30,000)

(9) Require all township land purchases to put 10 percent down as a down payment as a way to ensure project has priority

(10) Sell Mosquito Commission property to commercial developer. Meet with school district to prepare for equipment re-location and evaluate the highest and best use.

(11) Close municipal buildings on Fridays except for essential services. This would be modeled after Summit. Shift as many service requests to online.

(12) Establish a new service fee for township services related to accidents on Garden State Parkway

(13) Establish a higher alarm fee to pay for the cost of this service

(14) Consolidate all revenue collection activities into one unit and merge into tax collector office. Move more to online service

(15) Eliminate use of paid lobbyist and designate bipartisan task force to better attract federal, state and county funds

(16) Sell several township owned lots to fund part of the RVSA 2010 capital costs related to new treatment facility

(17) Implement an aggressive I&I program. Appoint several senior citizen volunteers to visit all homes to check into illegal connections and provide homeowner education of cost. Meet with RVSA to jointly develop I&I program

(18) A complete revamp of TV35 and Cranford.com to integrate their role in service to Cranford citizens. List on website a list of services and links to forms needed or  contacts

(19) Approve the expansion of DMC boundaries to fund the expanded marketing program

(20) Implement the roof repair and HVAC system improvement at Community Center with existing available funds which will yield immediate energy savings.