1.  2023 Budget Introduced

The Township Committee introduced its 2023 municipal budget at our March 15th meeting. The annual budget presentation and public hearing will take place at our April 19th Township Committee meeting. Here are the key takeaways:

Headwinds: Municipalities across the state continue to grapple with outside pressures on local budgets. The biggest challenges we’re facing in our 2023 budget include:

• Employee health insurance premiums up 21%
• Prescription drug coverage for employees up 15%
• Pension costs up 13.5%
• Recycling and trash disposal costs up 11%.
• Increased costs of goods and services due to inflation, which is currently over 6%

Revenue Returning to Normal: Key sources of revenue for the Township are recovering from their pandemic slumps, including hotel room taxes and parking permit fees. 

-We’re also seeing increased payments in lieu of taxes (PILOTs) from residential and commercial developments in addition to a modest increase in state aid.

The Finance Committee and our professionals have worked hard to provide the benefits our employees deserve, protect the services our residents depend on, and continue investing in our community’s future in this budget; all while shouldering the burden of dramatic increases in non-discretionary spending.

Tax Rate: As a result, our municipal tax rate will be increasing 2%.

Keep in mind: The municipal taxes make up less than a quarter of our overall property tax bills. 

2.By the Numbers: What’s in the Budget?

📊 Here is a glimpse of where our municipal taxes will be spent:

• Salaries, wages, and operating expenses make up over half of our budget: 52%.
• Statutory expenses, such as health insurance, pension, and benefits: 21%.
• Fund Balance, which protects the Township in the event of emergencies, unforeseen expenses and provides for more stable tax rates: 16%.
• Debt service: 9%.
• Capital investments (i.e.,road reconstruction projects, building repairs and renovations, and park upgrades) are approaching pre-pandemic levels: 2%.

🚧    Key projects funded in this year’s budget:

• Road resurfacing: increased from $750,000 to $800,000 to catch up on delayed work due to significant increases in the cost of asphalt in last year.
• Road reconstruction projects: Overlook Rd, Woodland Ave, and Whitehead Rd
• Collinsville Playground & Tucker Field Reconstruction
• Trash Compactor Truck Replacement
• Roof replacement for Woodland Firehouse
• Kiwanis Field Renovation
• Street tree replacements for neighborhoods impacted by ash tree removals

3.2022 Campaign Finance Reform Ordinances Gutted by New State Law

Last year, the Township Committee passed local campaign finance reform ordinances, important steps that prohibited large political donors from being hired as paid Township professionals or chosen for redevelopment projects.

Why it Matters: Passed unanimously by the Township Committee in 2022, these ordinances helped insure objectivity in our annual professional appointment and redevelopment processes.

Last month, the State Senate and Assembly passed S2866, which nullifies the strong protections created by our local pay-to-play ordinances by creating a new state standard that is less restrictive. The bill was signed into law on Monday.

• Other provisions in the bill double campaign contribution limits, establish new reporting requirements, and make structural changes to the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission.

Between the Lines: Municipalities across the New Jersey are no longer able to enact more stringent campaign finance standards than those set by this new state law.

• I commend Deputy Mayor Bud Ravitz and Committeewoman Donna Guariglia for leading advocacy efforts on behalf of the Township Committee over the past few months urging lawmakers to oppose this legislation.

4.Celebrating Women’s History Month

At our March meeting, Deputy Mayor for Public Outreach Cathy Wilson and Committeewoman Donna Guariglia presented the Township Committee’s proclamation for Women’s History Month.

• They also recognized Nancy Hedinger, President of the League of Women Voters of the Morristown Area and Connie Sanchez, Executive Director of the Unity Charter School in honor of Women's History Month.

Both Nancy and Connie have contributed so much to our community; we are incredibly proud that they live in the Township!

5.MTPD’s Officer of the Year

Police Chief Robert Shearer awarded Officer Natisha McIver with the 2022 Officer of the Year Award at our March meeting.

• Officer McIver’s hard work and dedication does not go unnoticed. In addition to teaching Law Enforcement Against Drugs (L.E.A.D.) at Frelinghuysen, Officer McIver also helps organize the Annual Trunk or Treat, National Night Out, our Citizen Police Academy, and our Junior Police Academy.

• Officer McIver has served the Township for 16 years.

Thank you, Officer McIver, for your service to the Township!

Thank you for reading my monthly newsletter. Please be sure to follow Morris Township by signing up for our Municipal Messenger, liking our Facebook page and following us on Instagram.

Best,

Mark