TOWNSHIP OF UPPER
2100 TUCKAHOE ROAD
TUCKAHOE, NJ 08270
CAPE MAY COUNTY
CALL TO ORDER
ROLL CALL
Barbara Camp Present
Frank E. Conrad Present
Curtis Corson Present
John “Jay” Newman Absent
Richard Palombo Present
Also present were Municipal Clerk Wanda Gaglione, Municipal Attorney Daniel Young and Municipal Auditor Leon Costello.
The following persons were present from the Board of Education: Superintendent Vincent Palmieri, Administrator Donna Young, Board President Michelle Barbieri, Vice-President Jill Cassaccio, and Board member Debbie McLees.
Mayor Richard Palombo opened the meeting. He reported that Committeeman Jay Newman was not present this evening at the advice of council due to conflict; that being that his wife is a member of the Board of Education.
He stated that the purpose of this meeting is to discuss the defeated school budget and commented that both the Township and the School Board took the vote very seriously. Both Mayor Palombo and Deputy Mayor Curtis Corson have had several meetings with the School Board over the past week and a half, and their goal was to get to zero percent (no increase) over last year’s budget, which would require a $903,616 budget reduction.
Although reducing the school budget to a zero percent over last year’s figures was a very difficult task for the School Board, the Mayor stated that the School Board has been extremely congenial in working with the Township. He further stated that the School Board has the laborious task to develop their budget, a responsibility for educating our children, and they worked hard on their budget, and then worked just as hard to get it to the level we requested. He complimented them on their effort; after the failed budget they came up with what the Committee requested--a trimmed budget that will not jeopardize the educational process of our children.
Mayor Palombo stated that school security was the one item that the Township Committee felt should not be reduced. The security of our children is a top priority. The School Board made the budget cuts to some of the newer programs while at the same time not jeopardizing the safety or the educational process for our children.
Members from the Board of Education commented on the process. It was discussed that everyone realized the magnitude of the school vote and they also realized the present tough economic times. Superintendent Vincent Palmieri commented that both the School Board and the Township Committee had a definite spirit of collaboration to resolve this matter satisfactorily for everyone and that the cuts still maintain the integrity of the education system. He stated that the School Board still stands behind its Budget, that was cost effective and in the best interest of the children. However they heard the message from the public. In moving forward he touched on the possible consequence of budget cuts in that expectations need to be adjusted to allow some things to take a little longer and that a little more help may be requested.
Municipal as well as Board of Education Auditor, Leon Costello outlined the process necessary to take during a defeated school budget. The matter needs to be resolved by May 19, 2009. He stated that the Township sets the levy however the Township does not have control as to what line items in the School Board Budget are cut. They can only suggest. The line items to be reduced are ultimately determined by the School Board.
Motion was made by Frank Conrad, second by Barbara Camp to reduce the School Board Budget to a zero (0) penny increase over last year’s budget. During roll call vote all four Committee members present voted in the affirmative. Mr. Newman was absent.
The resolution was read into the record as follows:
TOWNSHIP OF UPPER
COUNTY OF CAPE MAY
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
RESOLUTION NO. 116-2009
RESOLUTION REGARDING THE UPPER TOWNSHIP
DEFEATED SCHOOL BUDGET
WHEREAS, the voters of the Township of Upper in a duly held election, did fail to approve the General Fund Tax Levy Budget of the Upper Township Board of Education for the school year 2009-2010; and
WHEREAS, the Education, Budgets and Appropriations Law, N.J.S.A. 18a:22-37, requires the Governing Body of the Township of Upper, after consultation with the Upper Township Board of Education, to determine the amount which is necessary to be appropriated in such budget and to certify to the County Board of Taxation the total amount so determined; and
WHEREAS, the Governing Body of the Township of Upper has consulted with representatives of the Upper Township Board of Education, and has thereafter determined the amount necessary to be appropriated.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, by the Township Committee of the Township of Upper, County of Cape May, State of New Jersey; that the following determination is hereby made:
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that certified copies of this resolution be forwarded to: Cape May County Board of Taxation, Upper Township Board of Education, and the Superintendent of Schools for the County of Cape May.
Resolution No. 116-2009
Offered by: Conrad Seconded by: Camp
Adopted: May 12, 2009
Roll Call Vote:
NAME YES NO ABSTAINED ABSENT
Camp ____x______ __________ __________ __________
Conrad ____x______ __________ __________ __________
Corson ____x______ __________ __________ __________
Newman ___________ __________ __________ _____x____
Palombo ____x______ __________ __________ __________
There was no further business for this evening and the meeting was adjourned at 8:10 P.M. Next meeting with the Township Committee, a special meeting on the Strathmere Deannexation is scheduled for Thursday, May 21, 2009 at 7:30 P.M. The next regular meeting is scheduled for Tuesday May 26, 2009 at 7:30 P.M.
Wanda Gaglione, Municipal Clerk