Several amendments adjusting appropriations were made to North Bergen’s $79.2 million budget for fiscal year 2010-2011 at their Oct. 28 commissioner’s meeting.
According to Township Administrator Christopher Pianese, because the state Urban Enterprise Zone Authority awarded them $185,000 less in public works funding, $185,000 had to be shaved off the budget.
The Urban Enterprise Zone is a business district in an urban area that is allowed to collect only 3.5 percent in sales tax. Before Gov. Christopher Christie froze the budget, townships were able to use the monies in these UEZ zones for salaries and beautification; however, having funds returned from the state is much more difficult now.
“Our kids are in communication with these people through the internet.” – Joseph Sitty
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However, Pianese said since the township over budgeted their contribution to North Hudson Regional Fire and Rescue, the fire department that services North Hudson, by $460,000,
that savings helped them offset the loss of public works and UEZ funding.
The total amount of taxes to be levied to fund the budget also increased $250,102, from $55,355,102 to $55,605,102. The owner of the average $140,000 home will still experience around a $249 tax bill increase over last year because this increase was negligible, said Pianese.
However, homeowners who in the past received a Regional Efficiency Aid Program (REAP) tax credit on their bills, a credit created by the state when North Hudson’s five fire departments regionalized into one, will not get the credit this year because the state removed it from its budget. That means they may see an additional $170 increase, bringing their tax bills to around $419.
“Our increase is not quite at the cost of living, [it is] a little bit higher, but it was very, very difficult,” said Mayor Nicholas Sacco, speaking of the state aid cuts that North Bergen dealt with this year.
North Bergen settles mistaken identity lawsuit
According to Township Attorney Herbert Klitzner, in 2008, Police Officers Sgt. James Sanford and Officer Julio Reveron were pursuing a vehicle that was being driven erratically and dangerously when they mistakenly lost sight of the car. Instead, they pulled over a vehicle very similar to the one they were looking for.
When they threw the person out of the car, Gloria Gil, Klitzner said it was a case of mistaken identity. Gil sued the township, and the commissioners at their meeting awarded her a $22,500 settlement due to the incident.
Resolution to purchase river front land
North Bergen introduced a resolution that will allow them to purchase riverfront land from K. Hovnanian at $1.62 million that will be used to create a waterfront park with a parcel that Guttenberg already owns.
Pianese said that they were able to get the purchase price lower by negotiating with the real estate company, stating that the township deserved a break since they would have to build a waterfront walkway, something K. Hovnanian would have been responsible for.
Pianese said that the township stands to receive $2 million for the purchase of the land and creation of the park from the Hudson County Board of Chosen Freeholders, which were scheduled to vote on Open Space Trust Fund monies on Oct. 28.
He said that another application to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s Green Acres Program was pending. These funds would go toward creating the park.
North Bergen receives $10,000
North Bergen restaurant Sabor Latin Bistro donated $10,000 to North Bergen. $5,000 will be put toward the North Bergen Recreation Department, while another $5,000 will be put toward the North Bergen High School Music Department.
The restaurant held a pig roast to help raise some of the funds, Township Commissioner of Recreation Allen Pascual said.
“Today is a great day for North Bergen recreation,” Pascual said.
Tricia Tirella may be reached at TriciaT@hudsonreporter.com.