Low Increase Municipal Budget Approval Pending for River Edge

Later this month, River Edge officials will approve the 2013 municipal budget with the lowest residentail tax increase for the past few years. The Mayor and Council held a public hearing on the budget Monday night but yielded zero questions from the packed Council Chambers at the time.

The $14.4 million budget calls for an $11.9 million tax levy which will be broken down into a $77 increase for the average homeowner. In prior years, taxpayers were hit by a $234 increase in 2011 and then $140 in 2012 along with borough employees forced to take furlough days two years ago. The currently proposed 2013 budget does not include any furloughs for the second year.

"This is the lowest increase in several years," Mayor Sandy Moscaritolo said. "And the first time in at least five years that the increase is under $100."

The budget includes such capital projects as street resurfacing, storm and sewer upgrades, the library roof replacement, a DPW dump truck, computer hardware and software and new borough signs. This year’s budget has recreation improvements and funding for an economic development/business improvement district study. 

Once again, River Edge was awarded a flat state aid amount of $1,070,715 for the third consecutive year.

The budget will be adopted at the next Mayor and Council meeting of April 15.

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