Budget Minimizes Local Taxes, Preserves Services, Mayor Says

In a letter to Springfield Township taxpayers, Mayor David Amlen tells property owners that this year's local budget represents the smallest dollar or percentage tax increase in more than a decade, with the average Springfielder seeing a bump of $7.07 over last year. 

Maintaining services while continuing to improve the community are among Amlen's priorities.

With third-quarter property taxes due in August, the Township recently reminded taxpayers that they can make their payments online. Amlen has included the following letter to property owners along with their quarterly tax bill which will be mailed shortly: 

July 2013 

Dear Friends:

When I was appointed Mayor on January 1st of this year, I was adamant that we control our local taxes and pass the least amount possible on to you, the residents of Springfield. With that in mind, I am happy to announce that this year's local budget represents the smallest dollar or percentage increase in over a decade.

Lowest Increase in Over a Decade

Our property taxes are divided into three parts, local, county and the Board of Education (schools). The local portion, which represents about 32% of your taxes, is directly under the control of the Township while the other two parts are not under the control of the Township. In forming this year's local budget I set several goals:

Despite the $650,000 price tag for Hurricane Sandy, we were able to achieve these goals with an increase of only 0.22% or $7.07 to the average Springfield resident. Our 2013 budget of $29,713,758 nearly replicated the preceding year's total of $29,329,096.

Capital Improvements

I am a firm believer that we need to continually improve our community. To this end, we have built into this budget about $2.6 million for capital improvements. Residents can expect to see the commencement of several new projects and services, including new road paving and improvements, dike and flood prevention upgrades, sewer improvements, storm preparedness, pool filter replacements, new police and fire equipment, as well as restoration to the Chisholm Senior and Recreation Center. Finally, the first tangible evidence of our downtown's resurgence, the Business Improvement district (BID) received $240,000 towards redevelopment costs.

In conclusion, I am very pleased to present a fiscally responsible budget that minimizes local tax increases on the residents of Springfield while preserving services and developing our town for the future. I am quite proud of the job done by our Township administrator, Township CFO, department heads, and the Township’s finance sub-committee. I commend them all for an outstanding and incredibly responsible commitment this year.

As always, feel free to contact me or any other Township Committee member through email at townshipcommittee@springfield-nj.us, or phone (973)-912-2204 and have a safe summer.

Regards,

David Amlen

Mayor