Last month I was invited to speak with the Webelos of Cub Scout Pack 206 at the Municipal Building.
As someone that grew up in a big city, my elected officials were people I would only see on television or in the newspaper. To be able to talk with a group of 4th graders was an opportunity for me to share what I have learned over the last 10 years on council and connect.
I was not surprised at some of the silly questions and jokes, but they also surprised me, asking about my thoughts on increasing mobility for pedestrians and cyclists in the Township. There was a curiosity about what I really do serving on council and how my work impacts them and their families’ lives.
I share this story because it encapsulates many of the reasons why I was interested in the possibility of writing a monthly column in the Lawrence Gazette to give some insights into what it is like serving on Township Council as well as how we think about setting policy for the municipality. I am grateful to the Gazette and excited to begin this journey.
As one might expect, I am the result of a variety of experiences and interests. Growing up I discovered the thrill, and responsibility, of being able to ride a bike or skateboard to see my friends or go to the local convenience store.
Living at the edge of the suburban sprawl in Los Angeles, I gained an appreciation for being in nature both for play as well as relaxation. As I got older, I studied the built environment and became a practicing architect. When I moved to Lawrence Township, I became involved with a township committee that focused on small businesses. These experiences all help to shape and inform my positions and decisions serving on council.
I have already written as a candidate about the large community issues that we are facing in the next few years. They are the fire service, the community center, housing and the master plan, and Trenton Water Works.
These issues go to the heart of municipal government which is to deliver services that impact the quality of life for the residents, businesses, and visitors to our town. As council navigates these issues, I believe it might be helpful to share my thoughts with the community.
Over the years, I have stated that Lawrence Township delivers the best value in services received to property taxes paid in Mercer County. On the tax side, one can look at state data that allows one to compare property taxes among all 565 municipalities.
Last year, our municipal tax share was 21.6% of the total property tax. The equalized rate of 0.503 cents per 100 dollars of property value and the average municipal tax of $1,973 are both lower than the Mercer County and state averages.
On the service side, one can look at the fantastic level of service each of our departments provides to the township. From the public safety that our police, fire and health departments provide to the quality-of-life services that our construction department, municipal clerk, public works, and recreation department provide, our municipal staff deliver at an elevated level on a daily basis.
They achieve this high standard by having a municipal manager that encourages teamwork and collaboration and a finance department that creates a focused annual budget.
I would urge you to watch our recent council meetings, especially the March 3 meeting when the various departments gave their budget presentations to council. The township website is a good place to review the budget documents that the finance department shares every year. To get a sense of the township finances, one should start with the budget message from the manager.
That document highlights the big picture issues, the proposed tax rate as well as some reasoning behind the numbers.
My goal for this column is to highlight an emerging or relevant topic each month to bring some insight, but I am open to answering questions about a specific topic or a general one. Feel free to email me at cbobbitt@lawerenctwp.com. Until next month, take care.
Christopher Bobbitt is a councilman and mayor of Lawrence Township
Lawrence Township Mayor Christopher Bobbitt. (Facebook photo.),
