"Loss of revenue from Cranbury shared services"??? Funny...wasn't that part of Voices of Hightstown's calculations of how much it was going to cost Hightstown to outsource the PD?

That probably means there was a subsidy coming in from the state or county which is being phased out; otherwise how does a cost center generate revenue?

Yes the Cranbury contract is less then prior years and the court revenues are also down from projections. Any other issues you want to blame on VOH??

How about the levels of professionalism and dedication shown by the Hightstown PD during Hurricane Irene?? The hours they put in along with the fire department personnel? Not an issues that they were there for all of us?? Wonder how EWPD would have handled Hightstown along with their own issues from Hurricane Irene with the reduced police force they had.

Just a timing issue that the number of police officers EW is going to hire equals the number they would have gotten from the Hightstown contract without the Hightstown responsibility. Funny how these thing seem to happen.

JP, I don't think anyone on either side of the consolidation issue has ever questioned the professionalism and dedication of the HPD. They did a fine job during the hurricane. I am also sure Hightstown would have gotten a similar effort from the EWPD in a similar circumstance (although I am fairly certain EWPD would have had a much easier time with it since their station was not under water.) No need for you to knock the EWPD.

In what universe is a $72 tax hike relatively small?
And how many officers does the force have and how many are needed for one square mile?
And, since professionalism has been broached, does anyone think The Lone Wolf, er, The Lone Detective was being professional when he trampled all over Rob Thibault's constitutional rights or when he took part in the ICE raids?

$72 is a relatively small tax hike compared to what residents will be hit with next year, I'm guessing, when we have to pay to retire at least another officer and pay the Lone Detective to be fired, build a new borough complex and police station and re-build the water treatment plant...all of which are located in a flood plain and across the street from a SuperFund site. This is the price we pay for the apathy that permits a very small group of defensive, poorly trained, undereducated, and xenophobic borough employees/friends to keep things the same and run Hightstown into the ground.

According to information, much of the reconstruction/relocation is covered by insurance. At least the school taxes are going down for Hightstown. East Windsor is getting an increase in both school and local taxes.

BTW - gotta love how Vic Monoco stirs the pot. Doesn't even live in either town!

Have never KNOCKED the EWPD. Just binging to your attention that limited resources have a price in time and response. That appears to be the reason the EW Council approved hiring additional officers for use within the township itself.

The article says that the majority of the increase comes from raises and higher health insurance costs. It's good to know that borough employees were taken care of.

I don't know if much of reconstruction/relocation is going to be covered by insurance or not. They haven't really said much other than they are hoping and have to see. I think if we could get some of our tax exempt properties in this little town to step up, or look into if they truly fall under letter of the law tax exempt, would be a big help on our tax burden as well.

Love this part: “I think it’s a fiscally responsible budget,” Theokas said, noting there will be the same level of services provided to residents. “If it snows we’re going to plow, and the garbage will be picked up.”

Only a government worker would say it's fiscally responsible to force taxpayers to pay more for the same level of services. I

Heres a thought. How about no tax increase and the politicians tighten their belts with the budget.

consolidation sure looks good now