Council delays vote on bonds for capital projects
BY CHRIS GAETANO Staff Writer

SOUTH BRUNSWICK - The Township Council tabled the passage of two bond ordinances totaling $4,847,000 last week meant for infrastructure improvements over the course of the next year.

The spending was delayed over concerns about bonding for such a large amount of money before the municipal budget was finalized. During the council's regular April 24 meeting, township Chief Financial Officer Joseph Monzo said that the purpose of the bond ordinances being introduced at such an early date was to get a head start on several projects that required swift attention. It was said that if projects were bonded for individually, the lead time required could delay things to an unacceptable level. As an example, Monzo used a previous case where a pair of ambulances took about nine months to acquire.

About a month ago, township officials met to discuss capital programs recommended to meet the needs of the township. Eventually, the council came to a consensus on what projects they wanted to fund in the 2007 budget, and those items are included in the bond ordinances that went up for the vote.

The first ordinance, if passed, would pay for upgrading certain computer systems, various equipment and vehicle purchases for the Department of Public Works, the replacement of the air conditioning system in the municipal building, and provide funding for a road overlay program. In total, everything on that list would cost $1,520,000.

The second ordinance is concerned mostly with upgrades and maintenance of the township's utilities. If passed, new vehicles, including dump trucks and cranes, would be purchased for utility workers. The funding would also go toward further computer upgrades and the purchase of additional equipment such as a backhoe and a generator. However, the bulk of the utility spending would go into water and sewer repairs and mappings, specifically in the area of Brunswick Acres. In total, all of the projects would cost $3,403,000.

Members of the council expressed concern about passing the ordinances before next year's budget has been finalized. They wished to have more time to consider fiscal matters before coming to a decision.

"I'm not saying I wouldn't support some of the individual line items, [but] the budget is something I'd like to wrap up before moving on to spending items," said Councilman Charles Carley.

The ordinances are expected to be up for introduction at the council's May 8 meeting, though if need be, they might be delayed until the final details of the budget have been discussed.

"We do need to review the entire budget and say this is good, this isn't, or do you want this reduced, so that's fine. So let's table this until May 8, and we can table it further if needed," said Mayor Frank Gambatese.