2007-10-09 Ewing Mayor Puts Blame On Predecessors

Ewing mayor puts blame on predecessors Ball's $45.6M proposed budget calls for 43-cent tax rate increase Tuesday, October 09, 2007 BY LISA CORYELL EWING -- In his first state of the township address, Mayor Jack Ball last night blamed the town's budget woes on troubles created by his predecessors, saying they underfunded past budgets, left bills unpaid and otherwise hid spending from the public. Ball said his $45.6 million proposed budget, which carries an unprecedented 43-cent tax rate increase, includes millions of dollars to cover outstanding debt, including $1.5 million in overdue sewer payments and $674,000 in emergency appropriations to cover overspending last year. "The township has averaged $1.148 million a year for the last three years in emergency appropriations, a clear indication of how the true cost of government, in my opinion, has been hidden from the people of Ewing," Ball said. "My budget for fiscal year 2008, although it's high, does reflect the true cost of government for Ewing." Ball's comments were delivered before a crowd of nearly 100 at the former Jewish Community Center, which is now used as a Ewing community center. The audience, mostly senior citizens, interrupted his speech several times with applause. Joseph Graziano, who has lived in Ewing for 40 years, said he found the speech informative. "I think the mayor's doing a wonderful job," Graziano said. "I'm a Democrat and I didn't vote for him, but I'll vote for him next time." Ball, who took office in January, is the first Republican mayor elected since Ewing changed to a strong mayor/council form of government in 1995. Democrats dominate the council by a 4-1 ratio. Although last night's crowd was receptive to his comments, Ball has faced sharp criticism for the proposed tax hike. The Democrats charge Ball was too quick to shepherd Ewing out of the state's distressed cities program, costing the town millions in state aid. Ball's speech capped "A Taste of Ewing" -- a showcase of the township's eateries. The first-ever event was sponsored by the Ewing Economic Development Commission. In touting his accomplishments, the mayor said he made good on his promise to replace the automated phone system at township hall with a live operator. He also said he opened government to the people with his monthly mayor's meeting. Under his watch, the police department has moved four supervisors onto street patrol duty and enhanced the town's gang unit to combat crime, he said. Plans are in the works to use permanent and mobile surveillance cameras to further fight crime, he said. But the heart of Ball's speech revolved around financial matters. He said John Barrett, Ewing's new chief financial officer, has provided all township department heads with online access to their budgets.

Until this year, they could not track their spending, he said. Now there is no reason for any department to overspend. But Ball cautioned that the town's long-standing fiscal deficiencies will not be resolved until the state and county increase the funding they provide Ewing in lieu of paying taxes on property they own in town. Ball said new tax ratables are on the horizon for Ewing in the form of a new office/warehouse being built on Silvia Street; a kids fitness center being built on Graphics Drive; the expansion of the Marrazzo's shopping center; a condominium complex being built on Lower Ferry Road and the continued construction at the Opus office park on Pennington Road. Between 2008 and 2010, the anticipated new assessments for Ewing Township will be in the neighborhood of more than $80 million, Ball said.