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Politics & Government

'Taxes, Taxes, Taxes:' Fanwood's Town Hall Meeting

Fanwood Mayor Colleen Mahr convenes a special meeting to discuss taxes, the budget, shared services, redevelopment and other topic.

Fanwood residents and officials gathered for a town meeting for the first time in two years Monday night, to discuss local issues that have garnered curiosity, confusion and anger over the past few months. At the Fanwood Presbyterian Church, Mayor Colleen Mahr presided over the town hall-style meeting and gave a presentation explaining expected tax increases, shared services with Scotch Plains and redevelopment plans for the downtown area. There were about 150 residents in attendance.

"I know there's a lot of anger, I know there's a lot of people worried about making ends meet," Mahr began her speech. "Right now we're going to talk about taxes, taxes, taxes."

Mahr, joined by a panel that included Acting Police Chief Richard Trigo, chief financial officer Fred Tomkins and director of public works Clinton Dicksen, explained that reductions in state aid ($690,099), statutory expenses ($308,920) and the school budget contributed to Fanwood's tax increase.

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 "The average [yearly, 2010] tax bill is $10,631.96, and only $2,220.78 is on municipal charge," Mahr said. "$6,616.03 of that is on the schools." Of that $6,616.03 per-household average, about $5,623 goes toward salaries.

Mahr assured attendees that Fanwood would not raise taxes next year to the maximum-allowable 2 percent. "There's a 2 percent cap on taxes next year, but do not think that your taxes will go up 2 percent. They won't," she said.

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Mahr praised Acting Police Chief Trigo for keeping the streets safe and reducing the police department's costs. She noted the police budget in 2010 was less than it was in 2007, and that overtime payment is down 60 percent since last year. In addition, by allowing the Fanwood dispatch to be controlled by the county, she said, Fanwood will saving about $230,000 over the next three years.

On the topic of shared services, Mayor Mahr made it clear "we don't necessarily agree" with the findings of the shared services report, which was released two weeks ago. The report recommended that the Fanwood Police Department be absorbed by the Scotch Plains Police Department, and Fanwood converted into a patrol bureau or precinct.

The report also recommended merging Scotch Plains and Fanwood's departments of public works. To balance the suggested police department merger, the report suggested Fanwood absorb Scotch Plains' DPW.

Mahr and Scotch Plains Mayor Nancy Malool said they will discuss the shared services report in-depth at two public meetings in October and November.

Mahr concluded her presentation by outlining Fanwood's downtown redevelopment plan, which includes a four-story Victorian-style structure and outdoor community spaces.

"I want you to think Westfield and their Jazz festivals," she said. "But there is bad news. Retail is doing bad, we've taken a hit. This is what happens: we take our car and go to Westfield." A renovated downtown district, one that encourages foot traffic, she said, would help revitalize Fanwood businesses.

Mahar spoke for about 45 minutes, and after finishing her remarks, opened the floor to questions. For about an hour, residents asked about and offered their opinions on a seniors' exemption from school taxes, an allegedly "hazardous" left turn at Nichols court, whether to fully merge the Scotch Plains and Fanwood libraries, redevelopment in general, the difficulties of working under the country freeholders (referred to as the "frozen cheese-holders" by one resident), and a recent spate of car burglaries on Glenwood Road. At this point Police Chief Trigo interjected and made it clear that "A hundred percent of the cars that were broken into were left unlocked," he said. "We need to lock our cars."

The meeting concluded at about 9 p.m. Residents said they were pleased with the meeting. "She was very clear and effective, although the Q and A could have been a little quicker," Fanwood residents Dan and Caren Dankin said.

Stay tuned to the Scotch Plains-Fanwood Patch as we explore the shared services report and other topics that were discussed at Monday's meeting.

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