Plainsboro officials are still waiting to hear back from the state Local Finance Board on whether it has approved the township’s request to defer its state-mandated pension costs until 2012 before they can introduce the 2009 municipal budget.
During the Plainsboro Township Committee’s May 27 meeting, the committee held a public hearing on the $21.97 million budget, which includes the tax savings the township would see if the move is approved.
The budget represents a 5.7 increase over last year and is proposed to carry a tax rate increase of 1.9 cents. In the beginning of the budget process, officials had anticipated having to increase the tax rate by 3.26-cents, but had since reduced it before introduction.
The state-mandated pension costs, if not approved, would have the biggest impact on the budget. The township is due to pay a total of $545,000 — $375,000 into the Police and Fireman’s Retirement System and $170,000 into the Public Employee Retirement System. Under new state law, towns were able to apply to hold off on paying the contributions until 2012, by which time, they hope, the economy will be more robust. If approved, the deferral would give the town a 1.5-cent savings.
In the area of revenues, the township used $3.27 million in surplus to offset taxes. Still, the township saw its state aid decrease by $53,000, and a decrease in revenue from hotel taxes, which fell by $151,000. Interest on the township’s investments is also down by $372,000. On the other hand, housing fees are up by $69,000.
Employee-related expenses make up 60 percent of the budget, and account for 57 percent of this year’s budget increase.
LAB Dissolution Hearing on June 10
A public hearing on an ordinance that would dissolve Plainsboro’s Local Assistance Board is scheduled for Wednesday, June 10.
The Township Committee introduced the ordinance on May 13, after officials took steps this year to move most of the township’s social services responsibilities to Middlesex County.
A few years ago, most municipalities moved the responsibility of administering cash grants — as part of the social services program — to the county and state. Plainsboro had been one of the few in the county, and state, that had not done so, until last month, when the move was approved.
Also as part of the changes, the rest of the social services responsibilities at the township level were given to Joanne Lupica, Recreation Department director.
In order to dissolve the board, the committee had to alter the township code, which requires an ordinance to be adopted.
Other Committee Business. During the Township Committee’s May 13 meeting, the committee approved the submission of a grant application to the Transportation Enhancements Application for $975,000 towards work on the bridge over Cranbury Brook.
The committee also appointed Jack Venturi to fill a three-year term on the township’s Zoning Board.
On the agenda for the committee’s next meeting on Wednesday, June 10, are more appointments: an Acting Township Clerk appointment for a term from February 18, 2009 through February 17, 2010; a three-year term on the Housing Agency; two positions on the Human Relations Council, one for a three-year term and one for a one-year term; an alternate member of the Planning Board; a three-year term on the Shade Tree Advisory Committee; and a two-year term on the Zoning Board.
Hospital Plans To Be Discussed
With construction underway on the new hospital being built in Plainsboro by the University Medical Center of Princeton, its CEO will discuss plans for the new building at noon on Friday, June 12, at the Princeton Senior Resource Center at the Suzanne Patterson Building on Stockton Street in Princeton.
Barry Rabner, the president and CEO of Princeton HealthCare System, will talk about the plans for the remaining 110 acres on the new healthcare campus, including the new Merwick nursing and rehabilitation center.
Located on 50 acres of a 160-acre site in Plainsboro off Route 1, the new University Medical Center of Princeton at Plainsboro (UMCPP) is a replacement hospital for the current UMCP on Witherspoon Street in Princeton. When the new hospital opens in late 2011, it will consist of 636,000 square feet of interior space, including 237 single patient rooms, operating rooms, treatment areas, and an emergency department, which will be double the size of the current emergency department.
Hyman and Michael Jacobs, father and son at the head of Windsor Healthcare LLC, will also talk during the event about the new Merwick, the nursing and sub-acute rehabilitation facility. Merwick will move from Bayard Lane in Princeton to the Plainsboro site. Owned and operated by Windsor Healthcare LLC (with the hospital retaining five percent ownership interest) the new Merwick will be double the size of the old Merwick. At 105,000 square feet, the new LEED-certified structure will include 200 beds.
