NB, Guttenberg to lose state school aid
Gov. Chris Christie gave his address to the state legislature on Tuesday regarding the 2010-2011 $28.3 billion budget.
Christie called for cuts in state and local government spending such as a reduction in municipal aid of $445 million. He also touted Proposition 2.5 – a constitutional amendment that would go to the voters in November to cap the growth of property taxes at no more than 2.5 percent per year starting next year.
“No longer will we reward cities and towns who irresponsibly spend,” Christie said.
He also talked about reducing $819 million in school aid, saying specifically that school districts will see a reduction equivalent to 5 percent of their total budget.
North Bergen and Guttenberg both stand to lose aid.
North Bergen’s school district has been allocated 7.5 percent less in state aid for the next school year. The district will lose $4.4 million. The district’s budget is approximately $111 million and according to the state formula should receive a total of $54.6 million in aid.
Guttenberg’s school district will receive a 14 percent cut in total state aid, receiving $696,000 less for the 2010-2011 school year. The town is allocated $4.25 million in aid according to the state formula for its approximately $14 million budget.
Other cost-saving measures Christie proposed include reforming the state’s pension plan and new rules for arbitration and employee benefits for school districts.
Christie used the bully pulpit to also talk tough on stopping what he saw as excess taxation, or “tax madness” in New Jersey.
Hudson County freeholders to hear Palisades appeal
On March 22, the Hudson County Board of Chosen Freeholders will consider an appeal on a Palisades cliff development.
The meeting will be held at 567 Pavonia Ave. in Jersey City at 6 p.m.
Last month, Superior Court Judge Mark Baber ordered the freeholders to respond to an appeal made by the Coalition to Preserve the Palisades Cliffs (CPPC), who oppose the development on the cliffs.
Avak Properties, LLC and U&G Development, LLC plans to build a Walgreens, a Bank of America branch, and a coffee shop there.
The Hudson County Planning Board unanimously approved the controversial project in June 2009. The CPPC filed an appeal with the freeholders after the decision, stating that the Planning Board ignored issues that were in conflict with county and state law. However, the freeholders didn’t respond to the appeal, so they took it to court.
Baber said that the freeholders have 30 days from the hearing to either: approve the plan, send it back to the Planning Board for consideration, or reject the proposal.
They also must conduct an independent review of the development based on the records presented to the Planning Board at the June meeting, in which a hardship waiver granted to the developer allowed the project to continue.
“It is hoped that on March 22, 2010, the Hudson County Board of Chosen Freeholders will reverse the Planning Board’s approval and remand the application to the Planning Board for rehearing,” said President of the CPPC Peggy Wong.
In the meantime, the developers are allowed to continue demolition in the area.
Free grant writing seminar for firefighters
U.S. Senator Robert Menendez, FEMA and the Middlesex County Fire Academy will host a free grant writing tutorial for New Jersey firefighters and first responders next week.
The event will teach firefighters and first responders how to apply for federal funding for protective equipment, such as specialized vehicles.
On March 25 the first session will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., while the second session will run from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
It will be held at the Middlesex Fire Academy, located at 100 fire Academy Dire, Sayreville, New Jersey.
For more information, call Kellie Drakeford at Senator Menendez’s Newark Office at (973) 645-3030.
Palisades opens new pediatric rehabilitation center
Palisades Medical Center expanded its Pediatric Rehabilitation Program last week when they opened the new, larger facility on the second floor at the medical center.
The program supports the needs of children diagnosed with developmental delay, autism, cerebral palsy, Down Syndrome, torticollis, musculoskeletal conditions, and genetic disorders.
Services that include physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy and audiology services are available at the center.
“Our Pediatric Rehabilitation Program fills a critical need in our community for children who are not achieving their physical, functional and communicative potential,” said Ingrid Pais, PT, Director of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Palisades Medical Center. “Until now, parents often had to travel out of the immediate area to find services for their children or have had delays in receiving services due to a shortage of pediatric rehabilitation programs.”
For more information, call (201) 854-5000.