STRATFORD EMAIL BLAST

2009 Borough Budget

The Borough Council has introduced the 2009 budget which is has the lowest tax increase in over ten years.� The Borough portion of your tax bill at this time has an increase of only 5.7 cents per $100. of assessed valuation.� In simple terms, the average home in Stratford would see an increase for the year of about $57.00.� The average home is assessed at $105,000.�� You can find your home�s assessed value noted on your tax bill.� The assessed value was last done in 1989.� Both the local school and the high school have informed us there will be NO tax increase from either school.� The Borough is applying for extraordinary aid from the State of NJ.� Last year we received $300,000.� This aid can only be used to directly reduce taxes.� If we get just $180,000. the tax increase will be reduced from $57. to $0.� We will not receive the aid results until about August.�

One of the largest credits to the budget is the Magnolia Shared Service Agreement for trash and recyclable collections.� Last year we entered into an agreement for six months from June to December.� The results were so drastic we entered into a three year agreement with Magnolia, with 2009 pricing being the same as 2008.� The annual savings is over $110,000.� and we find the service so much better than the private hauler we had been using.� Last year we also had three employees retire, Kennth Ryker, Marie Gahagan, and Linda Kane all of whom served us well, but we did not replace those positions which saved over $100,000.� We are already attempting to create revenue to assist in the 2010 budget with the possible sale of a liquor license in 2009, the new State funded signal light camera to enforce traffic violations, and further shared services.� �

Offices Closed
Please remember the Borough Offices will be closed April 10, Friday due to the holiday weekend.