Department heads brought their pitches for money and programs
to the Township Committee Saturday at its third budget meeting of the year. No decisions were made, but some ideas, such as
combining recreation departments with South Orange, were heard.
Mayor Vic De Luca was not even at
the meeting, attending a conference out of town.
Police and fire presentations drew a large crowd as both were hit with layoff scares last year.
"We had some good discussions about overtime, how to enhance fire mutual aid, use of technology to help law
enforcement, library services, more on the library elevator, etc," TC Member Fred Profeta said after the meeting. "I
think the process is going very well. We are getting lots of good information. Some of the solutions are apparent. We
will just have to work very hard at this and know that, whatever we do, some people will be unhappy. That's the nature
of the job these days."
Profeta should know. His
proposal for sharing services with South Orange and possibly selling some buildings, such as the main library, have already
drawn anger. But it is positive to see he and the others are willing to try anything to cut costs, the main goal for us anti-property
tax types. The TC is trying to erase a $3 million deficit from the projected budget.
The next meeting is set for Feb. 13.
