Hi Friends!
The past seven weeks have been intense with 22 more hours of budget meetings, the affordable housing fiasco and continued complications between the Mayor’s office and the Council. Through it all, we have moved forward with our agenda of financial accountability and controlling spending. Here’s a quick rundown.
RELIEVING THE TAX BURDEN:
If you’ve watched any of our 13 budget hearings so far, you’ve probably seen me drilling down line-by-line through the numbers, asking tough, but necessary questions like, “What is this for?” and “How much has already been spent?” These aren’t popular questions with department heads—one even called his own budget request “mulligan soup”—but this kind of scrutiny is essential. I understand that a bloated budget is directly passed on to you.
The Mayor’s proposed budget would have increased the average household’s tax burden by 6.1%—about $247 more per home. That’s unacceptable without a full accounting of what’s being spent, what’s truly needed, and what can be safely reduced without sacrificing essential services or quality of life.
The Council brought the municipal increase down to an approximate 1% increase, less than $60 per household. I’m especially grateful to the Citizen’s Budgetary Advisory Board (CBAB) for their leadership in outlining responsible cuts and advocating for smart fiscal practices.
One key recommendation from CBAB is a three-year forensic audit of our township’s finances. I fully support this. We can’t move forward with confidence unless we’ve addressed past practices. Yes, an audit has a cost—but unchecked spending is far more expensive in the long run. I urge my colleagues to support this necessary step.
BUILDER’S REMEDY: LAWSUITS WE COULD HAVE AVOIDED
Because the Mayor failed to submit the state-required Affordable Housing Plan by the June 30th deadline, two (and soon a third) Builder’s Remedy lawsuits have hit our Township. Developers —including Mayfair Farms and Daughters of Israel – are suing us to force high-density housing in areas that violate our master plan because our plan was late.
To prevent more lawsuits, we must adopt a compliant affordable housing plan. A draft plan has been prepared by Planner Susan Greul. It was supposed to be discussed at the Planning Board meeting on Monday, August 25 at 6:30 PM via Zoom. But the draft plan has not been released to the public to date which is a legal requirement. This has been a sloppy process by our administration. A public hearing will follow soon after.
Let me be clear: We need a plan—but not this plan.
The draft currently on the table unfairly concentrates the bulk of the high density developments in just one part of town, while ignoring opportunities for smart redevelopment in other areas of town. It threatens remaining forests that provide protection against flooding. It lacks innovation, fails to reuse existing housing stock, and overburdens our infrastructure and schools.
I urge you to attend the public in-person meeting and speak out when the plan becomes public. This plan will shape our town’s future—and we deserve a one that’s both fair and forward-thinking. Of course, hiring a full-time in-house planner is now more important than ever. We have budgeted for this position and requested the Mayor put out a notice for a public bid. No response.
STILL EnTRENKED:
Although Township Attorney Richard Trenk publicly stated he would retire, he billed over $24k last month. Contrary to the Mayor’s public statement to residents, it is the Administration and not the Council, that has failed to finalize an exit ramp for Trenk that would allow the Township to appoint a new attorney.
Now the Mayor has drawn her long-time colleague, former Fire Chief Pete Smeraldo into this chess game by mixing Mr. Smeraldo’s appointment as Business Administrator into Trenk’s settlement. On May 1st, without Council consent, the Mayor appointed Mr. Smeraldo as the Business Administrator.
By state statute, his hire had to be confirmed by the Council after 60 days. Instead of seeking the required Council approval, the Mayor unilaterally authorized Mr. Smeraldo’s appointment with a hefty 51% pay hike, ballooning the BA’s salary to $209k plus benefits.
The Council was forced to take action. On Friday, August 21, we held a special meeting and voted to pre-emptively formally reject Mr. Smeraldo’s continued appointment to save the township money and to follow the law. We need good government, not backdoor deals.
SHEDDING LIGHT ON OTHER ISSUES
- Dual Full-Time Employment – I requested an investigation into an employee reportedly holding two full-time positions (one with the Township and one at the Rock Springs Country Club). I was told this is beyond the scope of Council, despite the serious implications.
- Take-Home Vehicles – Records show approximately 10 employees regularly take home Township vehicles that based on gas records are used freely. Our policies only permit the Fire and Police Chiefs to do so with written Council notification which has not been provided.
- Cell Phone Oversight – Former employees are still listed on the Township’s cell phone bill, indicating ongoing billing errors which we pay for.
Taxpayers deserve transparency, accountability, and answers. I will continue to advocate for all three. On other issues, I have worked with residents on addressing noise complaints, tree and steep slope issues, flooding, parking, Crystal Lake overbuild and bringing back a plan for Lafayette Park.
THE TAKEAWAY
Despite being able to reduce your tax burden to one percent, the Council overall, and I in particular, constantly encounters obstructionism and unanswered questions from the administration. I will continue to advocate and not back down. Your support is essential for our success. Please attend meetings, speak out and use your voice to urge transparency, accountability and change! Together, let’s get our Township government to be responsive to the residents.
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