From the Press of Atlantic City, Wednesday, April 15, 2009
MULLICA TOWNSHIP - The Township Committee quietly introduced a $5.5 million budget Tuesday night that will raise municipal tax bills almost 2 percent.
The $5,509,005 budget represents a $176,025 increase over the 2008 budget and calls for an $84,390.94 hike in the tax levy, from $2,994,022 to $3,078,412.94.
The tax rate per $100 of assessed value will also climb 2 cents to $1.057. For a home assessed at $200,000, this will mean an annual increase of $40.
The committee discussed issues ranging from land sales to "public assembly" permits at length during the meeting. But when it came time to introduce the budget, the committee did not mention any of the pertinent figures, and a 3-2 vote on its introduction was not explained.
The only discussion about the budget at all was a conversation between Committeewoman Kathy Chasey and CFO Dawn Stollenwerk about when the public hearing and vote on the budget must be held.
Committeemen Michael St. Amour and Bernard Graebener, who both voted against introducing the budget, said they felt enough discussion on the budget took place during multiple budget workshops and they expected more time would be given to the topic during the public hearing.
"Mullica Township is in a much better position than other municipalities who depended on development to offset their budget in the past and are now facing difficulties," St. Amour said after the meeting. "It's a vicious circle that Mullica was lucky to steer clear of."
Mayor Janet Forman, a Republican, blamed St. Amour and Graebener, both Democrats, for the lack of discussion on the budget, claiming St. Amour and Graebener did not want the public to know "how they want to raise taxes instead of cut taxes."
Democratic Committeeman William Kennedy and Chasey, a Republican, both voted to introduce the budget.
St. Amour and Graebener said they voted against the budget due to the additional $114,000 in surplus funds that were used to control the tax rate and because they felt there was no sufficient discussion on areas to cut spending.
"Despite what the other side says, (ways to cut staffing expenses) were never mentioned," Graebener said. "They should have at least been discussed."
But Forman stood by the use of the additional surplus funds and the budget.
"We're getting hit on all sides, from Greater Egg, from our school district, from everywhere. I'm not blaming anyone, but we had to do something to cushion the blow for our taxpayers," she said. "We're comfortable with tapping into the surplus because we're confident it will bounce back and our land sales could help with that."
E-mail Robert Spahr:
RSpahr@pressofac.com
Municipal budget
Breakdown20082009
Total budget$5,332,980$5,509,005
Tax rate per $100 of assessed value$1.037$1.057
Tax rate change by percent5.6%1.93%
Amount to be raised by taxes$2,994,022$3,078,412
Ratable base$288,706,046$291,229,785
Surplus funds applied to the budget$740,000$854,000
Remaining surplus$699,688$624,650
Tax bill for home assessed at $100,0001,037$1,057
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
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34 comments:
The $176,025 increase in the budget, according to Forman, is a tax cut. Cut it anyway you like, its still an increase that the taxpayers will have to pay each and every year on top of their current taxes henceforth, smoke and mirrors notwithstanding.
"Mullica Township is in a much better position than other municipalities who depended on development to offset their budgets in the past and are now facing difficulties," St. Amour said after the meeting. "It's a vicious circle that Mullica was lucky to steer clear of."
This is an important point that the three Republicans, Forman, Chasey and Kennedy, reject, Forman especially, who has an axe to grind with the Pinelands for pointing out her multitude of environmental violations and who wants to be avenged before she quits town.
The chart in the press shows that our ratable base went up by $2,523,739. If we only added one new business and lost the Casino, that would mean all the new ratables came from residential growth. The budget went up $176,025from last year and we are using $114,000 more out of the surplus than last year to cover it.
Now Chasey and Forman want to sell off property to make even more residential ratables which will result in costing the taxpayers more money forever in educational expenses.
They are putting us in a spiraling collapse for the future.
Well isn't this article just packed full of Forman's lies.
I guess Chasey is still letting Forman deal with the Press. Chasey wouldn't want all these lies thrown back in her face in the future.
$26,000+ for a building lot in Mullica seems mighty low. Sounds like another sweetheart deal, like the Chief got from KFC earlier this year.
Re5:02 pm
Freda Thomas is listing a 3.68 acre lot for $119,900. The buildable lots that Chasey wants to sell for $26,000 start value are almost 5 acres surrounded by forest zone. Very desirable for someone who wants privacy.
They could also be used as an offset for someone who has property in another part of town.
She's pulling another fast one on the taxpayers and portraying it as a benefit.
Same old tricks. Let's wait and see who buys this land. I'm sure Chasey knows interested people already.
Go to the meetings and speak out if you have a problem. Posting it on this web site and reading this web site only give you one side of the coin. Go to the meeting and listen to Mr. Graebener whose comment is usually "I don't remember discussing that issue".
How about "we didn't discuss this issue" is more like it.
It seems that one is a hypocrite to on one had say that you're for protecting our environment and then turn around and want to sell grossly undersized building lots in the forest. You're either pro-environment or your not. You can have it both ways.
RE: 9:03 PM-I remember my first beer
3:43 pm Why you blaming Forman , Chasey the Blob is the one running all of it!!! Kennedy & Forman listens to Chasey..The 3 wonders of the world!! I wrote a letter to "Ripleys believe it or not" about the 3 of them & he wrote back ,he dont believe it.....
RE 9:03
I can't understand your confusion.
St. Amour and Graebener are AGAINST selling the land.
Chasey, Forman and Kennedy are voting for the land sales. From the past projects they backed,it is evident that none of the three care about the environment.
Re 7:11 & 8:45 pm
Let's set the record straight.
When Mr.Graebener says "I don't remember discussing that issue", it's because the issues weren't discussed as recorded in the minutes. He's quick to pick up on discrepancies.
Watch the first few minutes of the meeting on Mullica News.
Mr. G questioned the minutes on pg.10 of the 4/2/09 budget meeting that stated "Ms Chasey suggested that furloughs be (?) instated".
Mr. G says "I don't remember that being discussed. I know it was said dismissively."
Mrs. C says "I didn't say it dismissively. I said it. It was an idea."
At the 4/2 budget meeting,Mrs Forman was stating that the committee had already decided not to fire anyone and asked what the alternatives were to cut the budget.
Ms Chasey jokingly said "Furloughs?"and started laughing and said a few words that gave the distinct impression that this was off the table. That's when Mr. St Amour seriously suggested that they give up their salary. This brought even more laughter from Ms. Chasey who said she needs the money for gas.
Why is this important?
Because in the future,if someone looks up the minutes,they can say that Ms. Chasey was being fiscally responsible by discussing the idea of furloughs. Not only is this an inaccuracy,it is a bold-faced lie.
It makes one wonder about how the past minutes were written before Mr. Graebener and St.Amour started checking them.
I didn't catch this until I reviewed the meeting.
Jo ann , get real, you couldn't catch a fish if it was swimming in your glass of booze.(just for the record Joann was one of the 7 members in the audience , she never spoke a word)So don't act like you caught anyone doing anything, keep looking for those little men in your backyard, I think they might want to build a transfer station. The sky is falling!The continued paranoia(here and with the dems in general) and unwillingness to move forward has stunted our town from any progress.
RE: 8:19 AM post
This is why you should never sign your name. You get attacked personally from someone who seems to be our mayor. For the record, JoAnn doesn't drink.
In watching the video of the meeting, it appears that we are back to the days when the public was allowed to interrupt the meeting at any point. They do not identify themselves so that one watching the video has no idea who is speaking. At the end of the meeting when the public is supposed to comment, there was silence. Probably because all of the comments were made during the meeting.
Yes, it appears that our mayor lets her friends speak out whenever and whatever they want throughout the meeting. They even spoke to issues that weren't even being discussed but the mayor let them go on. I didn't see anyone else acting this way.
The 8:19am post obviously comes from the Mayor...the fact is only three people were in the audience, JoAnn, one gentleman, and the Chief of Police. You wouldn't catch Kathy Chasey OR Bill Kennedy writing to the Gadfly to defend themselves, but you WOULD catch Forman cleaning up their messes. Forman's post again shows she only cares about the people that she can make money on. If you're a cop selling your house and listing it with Forman, she's up your a$$. If you're not, she's sending the code enforcement officer after you. If you need clarification of what happened at the meeting, you can ask the municipal clerk to hear the tape of the meeting...if Forman hasn't already instructed the clerk to destroy the evidence.
RE 8:19 AM
Just for the record, I was one of the 2 people that showed up for the 4/2 budget meeting and sat two feet behind Ms. Chasey and Ms. Forman as they discussed the budget at the lower table. My comment on the furlough matter is accurate. There must be a recording of it if you wish to check these facts. This is an example of why all town meetings should be filmed and why I was upset about Comcast leaving.
I was under the impression that the minutes were correctly revised until I viewed video of the 4/14 meeting.
I try to attend every meeting and speak or ask questions. The 4/14 meeting was a demonstration of how people connected to Ms. Forman and Ms Chasey were allowed to call out or make remarks from the back of the room at improper times throughout the meeting. I have not a doubt in my mind that I would have been gavelled down or removed for such behavior.
Ms. Chasey's attitude and demeaner during the entire meeting toward her co-committee people left me totally disgusted with her. She is going to push through her agenda with the help of Ms. Forman and Mr. Kennedy no matter what anyone says or does at this point. I can only stand as a witness to the events to let the people know the truth.
Regarding your other remarks:
As for "Paranoia" here, I actually find there is more truth written on this blog then in the town minutes.
I do not think that blocking a garbage transfer station or a dense housing project is "stunting" the town's progress.
I have cameras in my yard watching for those little men.
And finally, thank you,9:50 am for your TRUE comment that I don't drink.
Chasey is the puppet master of the other two. Watch Kennedy fold after he initially opposes her on the permit ordinance or when she answers for the solicitor. She's a real piece of work.
To Joann,
Sorry to see you getting bashed and attacked on a personal basis for your statements on this site. The attackers must see you as a threat to their power and figure they cant win you over
The shame is, the increase is partially hidden because of the use of the reserve. Instead of biting the bullet and making some difficult decisions, Janet Cathy and Bill, hid part of the increase by using the reserve which will hurt us later down the line. Cathy and Janet have been buying votes for years, by giving generous increases in salary at the expense of the tax payers. They yes, yes anyone that they can get a vote from and charge it to the taxpayers of Mullica.
Now that Kathy Chasey said at the town meeting that she suggested furloughs, maybe this idea can be looked into. She seems to get everything she wants. There's still time to cut the budget.
Thank you to Joann for taking the time to go to the meetings and the time to report back here and not allow them to intimidate you.
Larry Angel was right again about insisting that minutes be taped since it seems that they are being edited . It really is scary as to what could be occuring in executive session that isnt being written into the minutes that are no longer being taped.
It was actually refreshing to see the 8:19 posting. This site has become very boring and one sided. While I usually agree with the majority on this site, I long for some controversy like the old Larry Angel days. Is JF the only repug that still watches the Gadfly site?
Joanne
Thank you for going to the meetings,for doing the research and for sharing the information. You presented the factual information in a clear, concise, rational and logical way. It is no wonder that the 8:19 poster could not attack you except by trying to tar you with untruths. They were mud slinging becasue they had nothing else to use against you. It is obvious that you knew what you were talking about, so instead of silence, or admision, they attack with nonsense. I don't think that they realize, their lies say more about them than about anyone else. Thank you for speaking out!
Re 3:19 & 7:16 pm
I don't think that anyone sees me as a threat but more like an annoying hangnail. The real threats are from the people like you who are joining together as groups on the blog,in neighborhoods and in clubs who are ready for a change.
I'm glad that the 8:19am poster let it be known that I wasn't a part of the unidentified group that was disrupting the meeting.
I understand both parties viewpoints and would never want to be the one making decisions for this town. I just feel that the lies,deception,trickery,rudeness and exclusion should be eliminated.
Thank you for your kind words.
Re 8:20 pm
Did you know that when the new Open Public Records act(OPRA) became law and the public were allowed to listen to the executive sessions minutes, it was discovered that the committee was in collusion with an auto insurance overcharging scam being run by the Formans'.
So how did the committee,which included Chasey, handle this?
Well, they just stopped taping the meetings and destroyed 20 years of tapes.
re: 9:57 AM poster. Granted, having a little controversy can be make things more interesting, but what I found more interesting was that you made the assumption that "JF" was the only Republican watching the site, which further makes me think that you believe "JF" left the nasty comment.
Re5:59 pm
Maybe the 9:57 am poster remembers the old nasty posts JF use to leave on Larry's site. They're not hard to pick out. She has a very distinctive style to her wording, structure and content no matter what name she signed.
Actually, I do think the comment was made by Janet, but I am sure there are probably other repugs watching the site. Janet has a certain way of expressing herself which makes her more easily identifiable. I would guess that the other members of her party feel outnumbered here, or that they just realize that the comments made by the kmg people are usually accurate and indisputable.
Re2;32 pm
20 years of history destroyed because they had to cover their tracks. What secrets did those tapes hold besides the Forman scam?
It must have been some pretty bad stuff on Chasey and the rest of the committee to drive them to such drastic measures to keep the public in the dark.
Re 10:10 am
I've always been a Republican and I know many others that read this blog. Don't make the blanket assumption that only Democrats or KMG people are writing in.
I don't like what has been going on in this town and the elite Republican Club does not represent the values or morals of the majority of our party.
My local vote will go to the Democrats this year in order to get the town back on the right track.
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