Township Council Adopts Lawrence 2011 Budget

Lawrence Township’s – increasing the municipal tax rate 6 cents to 84 cents per $100 of assessed property value – was adopted at the township council meeting Thursday (June 9) with no fanfare whatsoever.

No one spoke up when Mayor Greg Puliti opened the meeting for public comment about the budget. Puliti and Councilmen Bob Bostock, Jim Kownacki and Michael Powers then voted their approval of the budget.

Councilwoman Pam Mount was not present, as she was part of a delegation from Sustainable Jersey traveling to Taiwan to share ideas for environmentally-friendly and sustainable practices.

During the meeting, Puliti announced that the Lawrenceville School had agreed to increase its voluntary contribution to the township by $30,000 () and Township Manager Richard Krawzun reported that Matrix Consulting – – would be making a public presentation of its findings at the council meeting to be held on July 5.

Thirteen resolutions were approved at the meeting, including one authorizing the Mercer County Park Commission to install a “waterless restroom” at Mercer Meadows (formerly known as Mercer County Park Northwest).  

Also among the resolutions was one authorizing a contract between the township and Van Cleef Engineering Associates in the amount of $84,463 for the creation of updated tax maps that the township will use as part of the by the Mercer County Board of Taxation.

Another of the resolutions authorized a professional services contract for legal services between the township and Michael W. Herbert. to serve out the remainder of the one-year post – ending Dec. 31 – after the former attorney, Kevin Nerwinski, became the township’s new municipal judge. The authorized amount of the contract with Herbert is $25,000, “subject to increases when necessary.” Herbert will be paid at a rate of $140 per hour.

Also during the meeting council approved an ordinance re-appropriating previously unused funds so that the proceeds can now be used to help pay the cost of updating the township’s tax maps. Council also introduced an ordinance amendment that, if approved at the next council meeting on June 21, will authorize the creation of a handicapped parking space in front of 758 Puritan Ave.

Township council also approved the awarding of three bids during the meeting.  One authorized a contract – in the amount of $32,558.76 – for uniform rentals and cleaning for township public works employees for a three-year period. Two others – in the amount of $10,065 and $7,500 respectively – authorized contracts with A-1 Limousine and George Dapper Inc. for bus transportation services for the township’s summer travel camp and recreation programs.

Previous Budget Coverage:

May 13:

April 23: Lawrence to Move Forward with 6-Cent Tax Rate Hike

April 7: Manager Asked for Suggestions to Cut Tax Rate Hike

March 24:

March 2: Proposed Lawrence Township Budget for 2011 Revealed - Includes a 6 Cent Tax Rate Increase