Twp. Council to Resume Budget Discussions Tonight

Lawrence Township’s ongoing financial problems and the 2013 municipal budget will be discussed this evening, Tuesday, June 19, when the members of township council convene for their next meeting.

The meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. in the council chambers at the township municipal building, 2207 Lawrence Rd. (Route 206).

According to the meeting agenda and Township Manager Richard Krawczun’s pre-meeting memo, the conversation will cover the potential sale of municipal property, current fee ordinances, the 2013 brush collection program and “general topics” of the 2013 budget.

The agenda shows that one ordinance – concerning peddler permits – is scheduled to be adopted via council vote, while four other ordinances will be introduced. The four ordinances being introduced, in part, will do the following if they are adopted by council in July:

• amend the organization of the township police command staff by eliminating the position of the deputy police chief effective Sept. 2;
• authorize the appropriation of over $1.5 million for various capital improvements, as adopted in the township’s capital budget;
• authorize various road improvements – totaling $835,000 in grants, cash and bonds – as adopted in the township’s capital budget; and
• amend a previously-adopted capital ordinance to allow funds to be used to make improvements to the underground truck lift at the township public works facility.

Twenty-three resolutions also appear on the agenda. Among these are resolutions that:

• authorize the renewal of various ABC licenses in the township;
• cancel the council meetings previously scheduled for July 3 and Aug. 7;
• authorize the acceptance of grants from the state of New Jersey, Mercer County, the Lawrence Township Education Foundation and Bristol-Myers Squibb for various projects;
• authorize a council resolution opposing pending legislation that would result in user fees being included in calculations for the state’s 2 percent tax levy cap; and 
• authorize a professional services contract – at an hourly rate of $300, with a maximum contract amount of $30,000 – with Mark T. Kenny of American Valuation Group Inc. of Lansdale, Pa., “to provide services as a court appraiser in the matter of the Quaker Bridge Mall tax appeal.”

For Municipal Budget Background, See:

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