Everyone should try and attend tonights meeting. That's the only way you stop them. When they think no one is looking is when they sneak these past.
Posted by
Anonymous
on
December 9, 2008 7:26 PM
Part of the reason for the sewer increase I believe is to pay for the police union pay raise.
Posted by
Anonymous
on
December 9, 2008 10:56 PM
For the person who believes the increase is for the police union pay raises, you should think again. How about the increase is for all the turf fields and school budget since that is where all the taxes go to begin with. The increase could also be for update on the sewers in town.
Posted by
Anonymous
on
December 10, 2008 9:30 AM
What is the town's justification for the rate increase???
Posted by
Anonymous
on
December 10, 2008 3:24 PM
The larger picture here is the dire economic condition we are currently experiencing and the near certainty that things are going to get worse and will be slow to improve. At this point this sewer budget situation and future budget shortfalls in the township must be addressed on the expense side no matter how painful or unpopular that may be. Moves such as those being taken by the Mayor of NYC should serve as an example of what must be done until such time as the economic climate has reached some sort of stability. Any new programs or projects budgeted but not yet implemented should be postponed or cancelled with those funds used to defray unavoidable shortfalls. New hiring and salary increase freezes must be considered. All budgets should be frozen at current levels along with current fees and taxes for at least 2 years. I don't envy the job before the Township Committee for the next few years but if the tough moves aren't made beginning now our problems will mushroom to levels that make the current ones seem like nothing.
Posted by
Frank Lechleiter
on
December 12, 2008 10:57 AM
The % rate increased is not justified.Itemized changes should be posted and rates should be in line with the charges. The town should stop adding hidden charges. Be open in communication and stop adding other things on Sewer Rates.
Posted by
Anonymous
on
December 13, 2008 11:36 PM
I pay 3 times as much in sewer tax than I use water. What is the sense in conserving water when I pay tax on water I haven't used?? The fairest way is to tax us on the amount of water we INDIVIDUALLY use per household. Tax us on that...not a flat rate... Not on lump sum for everyone. I simply can not afford a tax increase of 300%. This town is ridiculous with all the increases. Oh.. I have an idea...How about I hand you my pay check each week and you give me an allowance to live in this town. Oh... sorry my check is not big enough.you won't be able to give me any money back.. I have a suggestion.... tax us by checking out our annual incomes. Not everyone in this town lives high and mighty. Did you stop and think that natural gas has gone up, oil, taxes, food and etc. What is wrong with you people in this town. Get the silver spoons out of your mouths and face reality.
Posted by
Anonymous
on
December 17, 2008 2:04 PM
Okay, here's my two cents' worth:
A few years ago, when the Township took over the MUA, the MUA was running a surplus. I believe (and I doubt that I'm alone in my belief) that the Town Council took over the MUA soley to get its hands on that surplus which they confiscated and used to offset general expenses which were/are out of control. Now, after a few years of the local pol's managing the old MUA, it can no longer cover its expenses. ...sounds like typical government management competence to me.
I wouldn't be surprised to learn that the Council ran the MUA into the ground to justify a rate increase so they could use it to offset more general expense and still claim they didn't increase taxes.
The only problem is that as a resident of Montville, when I take money out of my pocket and hand it over to the town, it's hard for me to differentiate between taxes and "fees."
It's just more political flim-flam. Another way to pick the taxpayers pockets.
