It's been almost week now since the last Middletown Township Committee meeting took place and the controversy over reserved library funds have not died down, if anything as the calendar gets closer to March 15th and the Middletown Township Committee needs to produce a proposed budget to the State, the rhetoric could heat up even more than it already has.
As I stated in an earlier post, during public comments at last weeks Township Committee meeting, Library Director Susan O'Neal, spoke about the virtues of the library and attempted to talk about the perceived surplus funds that the Township insists are available for it's taking, but when she was badgered and talked down to rather arrogantly by appointed mayor Tony Fiore, she ended the discussion and sat down.
Fiore was waving in the air a piece of paper that he claimed was a 2008 MTPL Foundation IRS 990 form that showed the Library held in excess of $350,000 (but he didn't present it to O'Neal), he wanted to know how much was currently in this account. O'Neal stated that she thought there was $35,000 available as per the 2010 IRS 990 form. Fiore then wanted to know what happened to the surplus funds, what were they used for?
Ms. O'Neal said that NO portion of municipal funds are included in the Library's surplus, at which point Township Attorney Brain Nelson, attempting to interject himself into the conversation, rose from his chair next to the Mayor waved his finger at O'Neal and said that her statement was false.
It was at this point that Director O'Neal ended her discussion, probably feeling somewhat frustrated and intimidated by the aggression shown to her by both Tony Fiore and his "goon" Attorney Brian Nelson.
The below 10 minute audio clip is from Tuesday night's meeting and captures Susan O'Neal's entire 10 minute address in front of Township Committee. To hear the exchange between Tony Fiore, Susan O'Neal and Nelson as described above, you will need to advance the audio to about the 7:50 mark.
It doesn't shed a very good light on Fiore or Nelson,it just adds to the perspective that Township Committee and it's attorney are arrogant and don't care to hear about the truth or worry about how they chose to intimidate others when they have their minds made up.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Library Director Issues Update On Library Reserves Issue
Middletown Library Director Susan O'Neal, earlier today posted the following update on the issue of Library Reserve funds on the main page of the Middletown Township Library's website:
The Library "giveback" issue is now so full of rumors that it is difficult to know where to begin. One of the troubling issues is that some are casting the library as uncooperative. Not true.
So, I'll start with last year, when members of the Township Committee, Pam Brightbill and Sean Byrnes came to library board meetings and asked the Trustees to consider giving some of its reserves to the town. The Trustees listened, and made a quick response to sponsor one of the summer concerts of the Parks & Recreation Department. We followed up with a letter to the Mayor [dated June 10,2010] indicating the Board's willingness to provide some assistance, and asked four questions which were germane to the Board's deliberations. There was no response to the letter [which we will post on this website] These questions were not answered by August, when Mayor Scharfenberger attended the library board meeting, and he was asked again for a response. None followed, and the library pressed on in memos and finally, in November, a meeting was held with Library Trustees, Mr. Mercantante and Mr. Trascente. But questions of the Board were not completely answered. In fact, the inability of the library to get any reconciliation of the small budget surplus of 2008 and 2009 kept our 2010 budget in flux for the entire year. And, without the information it asked for, the Trustees could not make an informed decision about making a contribution to help the Township.
So now we get to late 2010, and the law on libraries returning some surpluses changes from libraries "may" return surpluses to "must" return surpluses that are not restricted for capital projects, or are from per capita state aid funds. Immediately, the request turned into a demand, and for much much more than the law would allow. By the library's calculations of the official "Proposed Transfer Form" of monies, the Middletown Library has $262,453 in funds which must be returned.
The Trustees of the Library are negotiating in good faith with the Township on this matter and will do what they are able to do legally.
Susan O'Neal, Director
p.s. By the way, the NJ State Library has informed us that ALL of the dozen or so libraries that have given back funds to their municipalities have followed the procedures outlined in the law. The MTPL will do the same.
So, I'll start with last year, when members of the Township Committee, Pam Brightbill and Sean Byrnes came to library board meetings and asked the Trustees to consider giving some of its reserves to the town. The Trustees listened, and made a quick response to sponsor one of the summer concerts of the Parks & Recreation Department. We followed up with a letter to the Mayor [dated June 10,2010] indicating the Board's willingness to provide some assistance, and asked four questions which were germane to the Board's deliberations. There was no response to the letter [which we will post on this website] These questions were not answered by August, when Mayor Scharfenberger attended the library board meeting, and he was asked again for a response. None followed, and the library pressed on in memos and finally, in November, a meeting was held with Library Trustees, Mr. Mercantante and Mr. Trascente. But questions of the Board were not completely answered. In fact, the inability of the library to get any reconciliation of the small budget surplus of 2008 and 2009 kept our 2010 budget in flux for the entire year. And, without the information it asked for, the Trustees could not make an informed decision about making a contribution to help the Township.
So now we get to late 2010, and the law on libraries returning some surpluses changes from libraries "may" return surpluses to "must" return surpluses that are not restricted for capital projects, or are from per capita state aid funds. Immediately, the request turned into a demand, and for much much more than the law would allow. By the library's calculations of the official "Proposed Transfer Form" of monies, the Middletown Library has $262,453 in funds which must be returned.
The Trustees of the Library are negotiating in good faith with the Township on this matter and will do what they are able to do legally.
Susan O'Neal, Director
p.s. By the way, the NJ State Library has informed us that ALL of the dozen or so libraries that have given back funds to their municipalities have followed the procedures outlined in the law. The MTPL will do the same.
It's Your Town - Newsletter Volume 3, Issues 3 & 4- 2/07/11 & 2/22/11; Issue 4 Contains Latest News On Fight For Library Surplus Funds
The latest editions of the It's Your Town Newsletter are now available for reading. It has been a crazy couple of weeks, so I never got around to posting Issue #3 of the newsletter a couple of weeks ago.
Issue #3 contains information about the proceedings of the February 7th Middletown Township Committee Workshop meeting, while Issue #4 deals with what happened during last Tuesday night's regular monthly meeting of the Middletown Township Committee.
It should be noted for those that have not been able to attend meetings of the Township Committee yet this year, there is a stark contrast as to how these meetings are now being conducted with a 5-0 Republican super majority controlling the Township Committee this year and how meeting had been conducted during the past 4 years when a Democrat sat on the Committee.
Very little to no discussions take place between Committee members about proposed ordinances or resolutions, massive consent agendas that contain several or more items are passed without public discussion and meetings have been over very quickly.
It seems that local government transparency has taken a step backward this year.
Issue #4 of the newsletter should be of particular interest to readers who have followed the news of how the Township Committee has been attempting to extort surplus funds from it's public library, which is in clear violation of state statute.
During public comments Library Director Susan O'Neal, spoke about the virtues of the library and attempted to talk about the perceived surplus funds that the Township insists are available for it's taking, but when she was badgered and talked down to rather arrogantly by appointed mayor Tony Fiore, she ended the discussion and sat down.
Resident Melanie Elmiger also spoke on the Library and asked why was Committeeman Settembrino appointed to the Library Board, what qualifications did he have to serve on the Board and whether or his presence on the Board was in conflict with his position as a Township Committee person.
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Sunday Must Reading
I've come across a few articles posted on different websites over the past couple of days that should be must reading for those that support the rights of union members, both public and private, to engage in collective barganing.
They deal with what is going on in Wisconsin and public opinion on what's happing, not only in Wisconsin , but also across the country. These posts can be found on Forbes.com's Policy Page blog by Rick Ungar, ThinkProgress.org and from the Washington Post's Plume Line blog by Greg Sargent.
Rick Ungar's post over at Forbes is titled "The Wisconsin Lie Exposed - Tax Payers Actually Contribute Nothing to Public Employees Pensions" informs us that public employees in Wisconsin fully fund their own pension system... the state adds no tax payer money to the fund contrary to what people have been hearing.
They deal with what is going on in Wisconsin and public opinion on what's happing, not only in Wisconsin , but also across the country. These posts can be found on Forbes.com's Policy Page blog by Rick Ungar, ThinkProgress.org and from the Washington Post's Plume Line blog by Greg Sargent.
Rick Ungar's post over at Forbes is titled "The Wisconsin Lie Exposed - Tax Payers Actually Contribute Nothing to Public Employees Pensions" informs us that public employees in Wisconsin fully fund their own pension system... the state adds no tax payer money to the fund contrary to what people have been hearing.
"Gov. Scott Walker says he wants state workers covered by collective bargaining
agreements to “contribute more” to their pension and health insurance plans.
Accepting Gov. Walker’ s assertions as fact, and failing to check, creates the
impression that somehow the workers are getting something extra, a gift from
taxpayers. They are not. Out of every dollar that funds Wisconsin’ s pension and
health insurance plans for state workers, 100 cents comes from the state
workers. "
Over at ThinkProgress they post, "Top 10 Disastrous Policies From The Wisconsin GOP You Haven’t Heard About" where they talk about how:
"...Walker’s assault on public employees is only one part of a larger political program that aims to give corporations free reign in the state while dismantling the healthcare programs, environmental regulations, and good government laws that protect Wisconsin’s middle and working class. These lesser known proposals in the 144-page bill reveal how radical Walker’s plan actually is..."And Finally Greg Sargent's Plume Line post over at the Washington Post, "Public employees not such an easy scapegoat after all" informs us that according to recent Gallup Poll "...Public employees are turning out to be far harder to scapegoat in the public mind than many predicted..."
* Among those who make less than $24,000 annually, 74 percent oppose the proposal, versus only 14 percent who favor it.
* Among those who make $24,000 to $59,000, 63 percent oppose the proposal, versus only 33 percent who favor it.
* Among those who make $60,000 to $89,000, 53 percent oppose the proposal, versus only 41 percent who favor it.
* Among those who make $90,000 and up, 50 percent favor the proposal, versus 47 percent who oppose it.
Sargent concludes:
"...For all the attention being lavished on the likes of Chris Christie and his supposedly successful formula of targeting public employees as the new "welfare queens," the bigger and more interesting story is that they aren't turning out to be such easy targets, after all."
Take a look at these articles and see what you think, I really believe they are must reads. If the radical right-wing and the GOP are successful in stripping public workers of their rights, it wont be long before they attack private sector worker looking to eliminate overtime, health, pension and other long standing rules.
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Free Seminar: "How to Appeal Your Property Tax Assessment"
If any one is interested:
Monday, February 28, 2011
7:00pm - 8:30pm
Monmouth County Library, Headquarters
125 Symmes Road
Manalapan, NJ 07726
On Monday, February 28, 2011, 7:00pm - 8:30pm, the Freehold Township Democratic Club presents a free seminar on how to appeal your property tax assessment. The seminar will be held at the Monmouth County Library, Headquarters, 125 Symmes Road, Manalapan, NJ 07726. Our speaker will be Beverly Bova-Scarano, Former Commissioner of the Monmouth County Board of Taxation, Past President NJ Association of County Tax Board Commissioners & Administrators, and Licensed Residential Real Estate Appraiser, State of NJ. This event is free and open to the public! Light refreshments will be served and handouts will be provided. Topics to be covered include:
*How to avoid common mistakes
*Understanding property assessment appeals
*Just how many comparables do you really need?
*What to expect at the property assessment appeal hearing . . . if it goes that far
RSVP's are appreciated but not necessary. Please RSVP by calling 732-616-8855 or emailing vegand@verizon.net. Please park in the side lot, off Alexandria Drive.
What's The Big Deal At Brookdale ?
Evidently it is the salary and perks that the community college of Monmouth County is giving it's School President Peter Burnham.
Burnham's total compensation package for leading Brookdale over the past 20 years is roughly $300K a year. He currently receives a $1,500 monthly housing allowance, drives a 2010 Ford Expedition that the college purchased for $42,815,is provided with a membership to the Navisink Country Club, and can be reimbursed $20K per year to send his kids to private colleges on top of a $216K base salary.
That's not to shabby if you ask me, but am I surprised or outraged at hearing the news? No, not really. His compensation doesn't seem that far off from what other college presidents receive throughout the state or country.
College Presidents, like school district superintendents, are a special breed that are highly sort after. Someone like Peter Burnham, who has presided over an institution for 20 years and has oversaw it's large expansion during that time while maintaining it's academic level, which by the way, is considered far more superior than many other colleges in the state, probably deserves much of what he receives in compensation.
The only reason why Burnham's compensation has come to light and has now been scrutinized is because he had the gaul to blame the Monmouth County Freeholders for a 8% hike in tuition which was planned for, but now rescinded under pressure, for the coming year.
Burnham embarrassed the Freeholder Board with his comments, so in retaliation Freeholder John Curly released information on Burnham's salary and perks to embarrass Peter Burnham and Brookdale's Board of Directors in return so that he could cover his ass and those of his colleagues on the Freeholder Board. After all, it is the Freeholder Board that appoints
Brookdale's trustees and should have been overseeing/approving contracts for Burnham over the years. If his compensation wasn't considered outrageous previously, why is it now? Politics, that's why.
This was an underhanded and despicable move by Curly, to score political points and encourage others to voice outrage against Brookdale and Burnham, which it has. News out today is that Governor Christie will now be focusing his attention on Burnham's employment contract and those of other public college presidents around the state.
Now, before anyone jumps to the conclusion that I am writing this because I support tuition hikes on students or think that it is appropriate that Peter Burnham receives such generous perks, I do not. I feel that before any costs are passed on to students in the form of tuition or fee hikes, all attempts to reduce costs should be made first.
I'm a big believer in honoring contracts that were negotiated in good faith, as it seems that Burnham's was. If John Curly or other members of the Freeholder Board had a problem with Burnham's contract previously they should have spoken before now, to claim ignorance of it is skirting their own responsiblity over it.
That said, it seems that regardless of the method used to achieve the means, it happens to be good news for those who attend Brookdale, the cost of their continuing education will not be rising next year.
Burnham's total compensation package for leading Brookdale over the past 20 years is roughly $300K a year. He currently receives a $1,500 monthly housing allowance, drives a 2010 Ford Expedition that the college purchased for $42,815,is provided with a membership to the Navisink Country Club, and can be reimbursed $20K per year to send his kids to private colleges on top of a $216K base salary.
That's not to shabby if you ask me, but am I surprised or outraged at hearing the news? No, not really. His compensation doesn't seem that far off from what other college presidents receive throughout the state or country.
College Presidents, like school district superintendents, are a special breed that are highly sort after. Someone like Peter Burnham, who has presided over an institution for 20 years and has oversaw it's large expansion during that time while maintaining it's academic level, which by the way, is considered far more superior than many other colleges in the state, probably deserves much of what he receives in compensation.
The only reason why Burnham's compensation has come to light and has now been scrutinized is because he had the gaul to blame the Monmouth County Freeholders for a 8% hike in tuition which was planned for, but now rescinded under pressure, for the coming year.
Burnham embarrassed the Freeholder Board with his comments, so in retaliation Freeholder John Curly released information on Burnham's salary and perks to embarrass Peter Burnham and Brookdale's Board of Directors in return so that he could cover his ass and those of his colleagues on the Freeholder Board. After all, it is the Freeholder Board that appoints
Brookdale's trustees and should have been overseeing/approving contracts for Burnham over the years. If his compensation wasn't considered outrageous previously, why is it now? Politics, that's why.
This was an underhanded and despicable move by Curly, to score political points and encourage others to voice outrage against Brookdale and Burnham, which it has. News out today is that Governor Christie will now be focusing his attention on Burnham's employment contract and those of other public college presidents around the state.
Now, before anyone jumps to the conclusion that I am writing this because I support tuition hikes on students or think that it is appropriate that Peter Burnham receives such generous perks, I do not. I feel that before any costs are passed on to students in the form of tuition or fee hikes, all attempts to reduce costs should be made first.
I'm a big believer in honoring contracts that were negotiated in good faith, as it seems that Burnham's was. If John Curly or other members of the Freeholder Board had a problem with Burnham's contract previously they should have spoken before now, to claim ignorance of it is skirting their own responsiblity over it.
That said, it seems that regardless of the method used to achieve the means, it happens to be good news for those who attend Brookdale, the cost of their continuing education will not be rising next year.
President Obama's Weekly Address 2/26/11: Traveling the Country, Winning the Future
WASHINGTON – In this week’s address, President Obama said that he expects Democratic and Republican leaders in Congress to find common ground as Congress focuses on a short term budget next week. The President will consider any serious ideas to reduce the deficit, regardless of which party proposes them. In fact, the President has already proposed freezing domestic spending, which would cut the deficit by $400 billion and bring this kind of spending to the lowest level, as a percentage of our economy, since the Eisenhower administration. But, cutting investments in education and innovation would hinder our ability to out-compete the rest of the world. While the President recognizes that everyone needs to be willing to sacrifice, we cannot sacrifice our country’s ability to win the future.
Crime Scene Middletown: THREE JUVENILES ARRESTED FOR MARIJUANA POSSESSION IN PARK
PREPARED BY DETECTIVE LIEUTENANT STEPHEN DOLLINGER
On February 24, 2011 at approximately 6:45 pm Patrolman Keith Hirschbein was on patrol in the area of McMahon Park when he observed three juveniles sitting in the dugout of the hockey rink passing what appeared to be a cigar back and forth to each other.
Officer Hirschbein entered the dugout where the juveniles were sitting and immediately detected the odor of burnt marijuana coming from the area. He then observed one of the juveniles put the cigar down on the bench where they were sitting. Officer Hirschbein checked the area and retrieved the cigar which was found to contain marijuana.
All three juveniles were placed under arrest and were transported to police headquarters for processing where they were charged with Possession of under 50 grams of marijuana and were released to their parents pending a court appearance.
On February 24, 2011 at approximately 6:45 pm Patrolman Keith Hirschbein was on patrol in the area of McMahon Park when he observed three juveniles sitting in the dugout of the hockey rink passing what appeared to be a cigar back and forth to each other.
Officer Hirschbein entered the dugout where the juveniles were sitting and immediately detected the odor of burnt marijuana coming from the area. He then observed one of the juveniles put the cigar down on the bench where they were sitting. Officer Hirschbein checked the area and retrieved the cigar which was found to contain marijuana.
All three juveniles were placed under arrest and were transported to police headquarters for processing where they were charged with Possession of under 50 grams of marijuana and were released to their parents pending a court appearance.
Crime Scene Middletown: POLICE ARREST FOUR ON DRUG CHARGES AFTER SUSPICIOUS VEHICLE CALL
PREPARED BY DETECTIVE LIEUTENANT STEPHEN DOLLINGER
On February 20, 2011 at approximately 8:40 pm Sgt. Paul Bailey was on patrol in the area of Highway 35 and Pine Street when he observed two vehicles parked behind the Prudential Building. The building was not open for business at the time.
Sgt. Bailey pulled into the parking lot and observed people sitting and standing near the vehicles. As he approached the first vehicle, Sgt. Bailey detected the strong odor of burnt marijuana coming from the area. He began speaking with two of the subjects, both fifteen year old juveniles. While doing so he located a hand rolled cigarette containing a green vegetation type substance which he recognized as marijuana and a small clear plastic baggie with marijuana residue in it on the ground near the passenger side door where the juveniles were sitting.
Sgt. Bailey then approached the second vehicle and detected the strong odor of raw marijuana coming from the area. He then located an open pill bottle with green vegetation type residue inside lying on the ground near the car.
Sgt. Bailey then began speaking with the occupants of the second vehicle about what he had observed. At this point a seventeen year old female reached under her shirt and removed a small, green plastic baggie containing marijuana and handed it to Sgt. Bailey.
Officers then received consent to search from the owner of the vehicle, identified as Timothy Soden, age 18 from Laurel Avenue in Little Silver. The officers then located a breath mint package which contained marijuana residue inside the car. Soden and the three juveniles were then placed under arrest.
All subjects were transported to police headquarters for processing. Soden was charged with Possession of under 50 grams of marijuana and Being under the influence of a controlled dangerous substance and was released on a summons pending a court appearance.
The two male juveniles were each charged with Possession of under 50 grams of marijuana, Possession of drug paraphernalia and Being under the influence of a controlled dangerous substance. The female juvenile was charged with Possession of under 50 grams of marijuana, Possession of drug paraphernalia and Possession of a controlled dangerous substance in a motor vehicle. All three juveniles were released to their parents pending a court appearance.
On February 20, 2011 at approximately 8:40 pm Sgt. Paul Bailey was on patrol in the area of Highway 35 and Pine Street when he observed two vehicles parked behind the Prudential Building. The building was not open for business at the time.
Sgt. Bailey pulled into the parking lot and observed people sitting and standing near the vehicles. As he approached the first vehicle, Sgt. Bailey detected the strong odor of burnt marijuana coming from the area. He began speaking with two of the subjects, both fifteen year old juveniles. While doing so he located a hand rolled cigarette containing a green vegetation type substance which he recognized as marijuana and a small clear plastic baggie with marijuana residue in it on the ground near the passenger side door where the juveniles were sitting.
Sgt. Bailey then approached the second vehicle and detected the strong odor of raw marijuana coming from the area. He then located an open pill bottle with green vegetation type residue inside lying on the ground near the car.
Sgt. Bailey then began speaking with the occupants of the second vehicle about what he had observed. At this point a seventeen year old female reached under her shirt and removed a small, green plastic baggie containing marijuana and handed it to Sgt. Bailey.
Officers then received consent to search from the owner of the vehicle, identified as Timothy Soden, age 18 from Laurel Avenue in Little Silver. The officers then located a breath mint package which contained marijuana residue inside the car. Soden and the three juveniles were then placed under arrest.
All subjects were transported to police headquarters for processing. Soden was charged with Possession of under 50 grams of marijuana and Being under the influence of a controlled dangerous substance and was released on a summons pending a court appearance.
The two male juveniles were each charged with Possession of under 50 grams of marijuana, Possession of drug paraphernalia and Being under the influence of a controlled dangerous substance. The female juvenile was charged with Possession of under 50 grams of marijuana, Possession of drug paraphernalia and Possession of a controlled dangerous substance in a motor vehicle. All three juveniles were released to their parents pending a court appearance.
Thursday, February 24, 2011
User's Guide To Political Protests
If anyone is planning on attending a political rally or two this weekend (or in the future) be sure to follow the user's guide for maximum effect.
(click on image to enlarge)
(click on image to enlarge)
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
GREEN PARTY TO HOST REGIONAL CONFERENCE ON HEALTHCARE AND LABOR
Registration is $50 per person, with subsidies available to those who require a discount. Contact registrar David Petrovich at njdgreen@aol.com or 732-571-9464. The event home page can be accessed at: http://tinyurl.com/6x848w6.
Keynote speakers include Baltimore pediatrician Margaret Flowers, M.D., Congressional Fellow for Physicians for a National Health Program; Howie Hawkins, the Green Party candidate for Governor of New York State in 2010; and Hugh Giordano, a labor organizer with the United Food and Commercial Workers, Local 152, in Philadelphia;.
"Sooner or later the country is going to have to reduce the wastefully high cost of corporate for-profit health insurance," said Steve Welzer, a member of the Green Party's state executive committee. "A single-payer system (Medicare for All) would eliminate the corporate insurance middle-man, cut the price of coverage, and assure that every American enjoys guaranteed quality health care. A goal of the Feb. 27 conference will be to educate the public about the real issues in order to counter the propaganda that dominated the debate last year."
"The Green Party message on healthcare is eminently reasonable," added Lynn Petrovich, C.P.A., who will present a "Rip-off Report" on hospital accounting at the event. "Our health care system, which places profits before people can no longer be tolerated and it is up to Americans to demand change."
Synergy and mutual support among labor activists, healthcare reformers, and those committed to the building of a green economy will be a common theme throughout the conference presentations.
Media Contact: David Petrovich, njdgreen@aol.com; 732-571-9464
States, the system drives 700,000 families to bankruptcy from medical bills (the majority of whom have medical
"The Green Party is no longer the alternative, the Green Party is the imperative"
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Crime Scene Middletown: MAN ARRESTED FOR DISORDERLY CONDUCT AT WAWA STORE
PREPARED BY DETECTIVE LIEUTENANT STEPHEN DOLLINGER
On February 18, 2011 at approximately 1:37 am police responded to a report of an intoxicated person at the WaWa convenience store located on Highway 36 in Leonardo. Upon arrival Patrolman Joseph Ahlemeyer spoke with store employees who advised him that the subject, identified as Shawn Dyson, age 18, from Second Street in Highlands, NJ, had approached the counter to order food but instead began yelling at employees. The manager of the store requested that Dyson leave the store but he refused.
Patrolman Ahlemeyer located Dyson and asked him to exit the store. Once outside Dyson began yelling profanities and flailing his arms. Officer Ahlemeyer asked Dyson to calm down because there were other customers who were entering and exiting the store, but again he refused. Dyson was then placed under arrest.
He was transported to police headquarters where he was charged with Disorderly Conduct. He was processed and released pending a court date.
Crime Scene Middletown: POLICE ARREST TWO AFTER FIGHT AT BAR
PREPARED BY DETECTIVE LIEUTENANT STEPHEN DOLLINGEROn February 18, 2011 at approximately 1:49 am police responded to a report of a fight at the Junction Bar and Liquors located on Main Street in Belford.
Upon arrival Patrolman Jason Caruso was approached by two female subjects who had been involved in the altercation. While speaking with one of the females, identified as Kathleen Brant, age 41, from Shore Boulevard in Keansburg, NJ it was discovered that Brant had an outstanding warrant out of Holmdel Municipal Court for Contempt of Court. Officer Caruso placed Brant under arrest and placed her in his patrol car. Ms. Brant then began kicking the rear window of the car which caused it to become detached from the door. She was then transported to police headquarters for processing.
Patrolman Brian McGrogan, Patrolman Michael Pintilie and Sergeant Paul Bailey continued to investigate the incident. They were advised by bar employees that Brant and Sheri Salas, age 37, from Georgia Avenue in Port Monmouth, NJ had been arguing with two other customers when the dispute became physical. The altercation stopped when bar employees intervened.
The officers then attempted to have Ms. Salas call a cab but she refused and began to yell and scream. She refused to calm down despite several warnings by officers. Officer Pintilie then placed Salas under arrest for Disorderly Conduct. She was transported to police headquarters for processing.
Brant was charged with Criminal Mischief for the damage to the patrol car window and was held on the Contempt of Court warrant out of Holmdel. Salas was charged with Disorderly Conduct and was released on a summons pending a court appearance.
Full House Expected At Tonight's Township Committee Meeting
With the controversy surrounding the Middletown Township Committee and it's attempted extortion to grab hold of perceived surplus funds from the Middletown Library, tonight's meeting of the Township Committee should be a good one. A house full of library supporters are expected to back the court room tonight to further voice their concerns over the money grab by the Township Committee.
Tonight's meeting is expected to be an extension of last Wednesday night's Library Board of Trustees meeting, where close to 200 library supporter showed up to let Township Committeeman Kevin Settembrino, Mayor Fiore and other members of the Township Committee that it was not OK to raid library funds in order to fill a budget deficit in the Committee's Municipal budget.
If you have been following this blog you already know the story of how the Township Committee has tried to strong arm the Library Trustees into handing over funds. The Township Committee stated that if excess library funds weren't transferred to the Township the consequences would be that 26 township employees would be laid off, 10 of which would be police officers from the Middletown Police Department and 13 from Parks and Recreation.
During Wednesday night's meeting at the Library we found out that this was not the case, the 10 police officers and others would be losing their jobs no matter what and any funds garnered from the Library would go toward possibly saving other jobs.
The Library's position is that their are no excess funds available for the Township to take, all excess funds are earmarked for capital projects or have been endowed to the Library with specific instructions for its use. The Library also contends that due to clerical issues, perceived surplus funds left over after the last Library audit in 2009 do not exist. The Township CFO should have transferred money from Library's accounts to Township accounts before the last audit instead of afterwards and now because of this issue funds seem to be available when in fact there is none.
Tonight's meeting starts at 8:00pm in the Court Room located at Town Hall, regardless of how you feel about this, it should be a good show tonight and not to be missed.
Green Party To Rally In Solidarity In Trenton With Wisconsin Workers Friday
Greens will meet at new Trenton HQ
Look for The Green Party Banner!
Friday, February 25, 12pm noon at the State House, Trenton
At this rally, we will stand shoulder to shoulder in solidarity and speak out against the attacks on working families and assaults on collective bargaining rights which are taking place in Wisconsin and other states around the country. We will also send a message to Governor Christie that he bargain in good faith and not balance the budget on the backs of middle class families. We urge all affiliates and community allies to join us at the Trenton State House on Friday and to hear first-hand about the events that are taking place in Wisconsin. Wisconsin workers are depending on strong demonstrations of solidarity in states across the nation to help them sustain their efforts back home.
The attacks in Wisconsin are not just isolated to one state or one sector of our labor movement. These are overt attacks on collective bargaining that are relevant to all working people. What we need now in these difficult times, is to work collectively as one labor movement and understand that we need to improve the quality of life for all workers and not dismantle it.
We look forward to standing in unity with you at the State House.
In Solidarity,
Charles Wowkanech, President, NJ AFL-CIO
Laurel Brennan, Secretary-Treasurer, NJ AFL-CIO
Monday, February 21, 2011
Looking At Both Sides
by guest blogger Sean F. Byrnes, former Middletown Township Committeeman
Last week we saw the Township of Middletown enveloped in a dispute over the Township’s effort to convince the Board of Trustees for the Library to turn over a significant share of its surplus to the Township Committee for budget relief purposes. Unfortunately, the manner in which the township chose to solicit these funds lacked tact. Although the township had previously made less threatening overtures to the Library in an effort to win the Board of Trustees’ support for a funds transfer, when that effort failed, the Township pursued an aggressive campaign to convince the public that a transfer would be in their best interest. Spearheaded by new Committeeman Kevin Settembrino, this effort, whether intended or not, seemed rooted in tactics of intimidation and threats to de-municipalize the library and combine it with the County Library system. This effort also suggested that a failure of the Board of Trustees to abide by the wishes of the Township Committee would result in the loss of ten police officers, the layoff of a significant number of Township employees and, if you heard the comments at the Library Board of Trustees’ meeting, an effort by Township Committee members to replace existing Board of Trustees members.
Based on the comments from Board of Trustees’ members at their meeting on Tuesday, it would appear that the resolve of the Board of Trustees has not wilted in the face of these threats. Led by Randy Gabrielan, the Chairman of the Board, the Library challenged the assumptions, numbers and legal authority for the Township’s demand for a funds transfer. Looking ahead, as a Township resident, I would hope that both sides could retreat from the current level of heated rhetoric and restart their discussions.
I think it would be in the interest of all taxpayers for the Township Committee and Library to continue their discussions. It might make more sense to have the Township Administrator meet with the Director of the Library to discuss how the Library might be able to assist the township in this time of budget crisis. From the Library’s perspective, the Board has worked hard to build a reserve that could be used for future capital projects, and there is an understandable reluctance to use these funds to satisfy operating expenses for the Township. From the Township’s perspective, the Library has a protected stream of revenue that is not subject to the same stresses and demands that the Township must face when health care costs increase, pensions become more expensive and the cost of doing business generally continues to go up. There may be opportunities for these two parties to cooperate in other ways that would provide relief to the Township without exhausting the reserves of the library.
There is no question that the Township finds itself in a perfect storm of budgetary constraints. To be fair, some of these strains are beyond its control. But the Township moved at a glacial pace over the last several years as this financial crisis approached. A quicker response to the approaching financial storm would have made the Library ask a smaller one. Accordingly, before the Library turns over any of its reserves to the Township, it would be nice to see an acknowledgment that a swifter response from the township in 2009 and 2010 would have avoided the seriousness of the budget crisis that the Township currently faces. The Township did lay off approximately 16 employees last year, but did so only mid-year. Other municipalities took action much sooner and in more dramatic fashion. The former Mayor’s claims of 40 layoffs include retirements.
Other cost-saving measures were proposed over the last several years, but were rejected as too extreme. Unfortunately, as a result of the Township’s failure to act, the Township Committee must now contemplate cuts that go far beyond those that were previously considered “extreme.” Until the Township forms a subcommittee whose function is to focus on budget recommendations, track existing and anticipated debt, look for opportunities for consolidation and sharing of services and generally manage the Township’s finances on a more regular basis, the Township will always be reacting to rather than planning for increased demands for Township resources.
Once again, in fairness, the unfortunate timing of the Township’s reevaluation in 2009, just prior to a steep decrease in property values, set the Township up for a tax appeal nightmare in 2010 and 2011. (Of course, the township had mistakenly put off its reevaluation for approximately 14 years – had the township completed the reval when it should have, the steep drop in real estate prices would not have resulted in such a large number of tax appeals.) But regardless of the failure to conduct a timely revaluation, the Township has a legitimate reason to gripe, because when a resident or commercial property owner prevails on their tax appeal, the township must return to the taxpayer not only the municipal share of the taxes received from the taxpayer, but must also reimburse the taxpayer for the funds received by the School District during the year for which the tax appeal was filed. This reality is difficulty for some to believe, but true. And, in light of the fact that approximately two-thirds of the tax dollars go to school district activities, the Township ends up paying back the taxpayer for School District funds that the Township never received in its budget.
Consequently, the steady decrease in real estate value over the last couple of years has produced a field day for those filing tax appeals. The Township is now struggling to repay multi-year tax appeals that are probably worth nearly $4 million. Unfortunately, the Legislature has failed to assist municipalities facing this dilemma. Under the circumstances, given the unique circumstances facing municipalities, including picking up the tab for the Legislature’s bungling of pension contributions for public workers, the Legislature should provide assistance to townships by creating opportunities for public entities to finance the tax appeals or extend their repayment terms. In several years, the Township will be through this unique period where tax appeal refunds are substantial and hopefully return to a more predictable budget cycle. The Township Committee took the first step in this direction in 2010 when it decided to conduct a reassessment. Even thought the reassessment cost $400,000 the savings achieved in 2011 from reduced tax appeal filings will be far greater.
The realities of the tax appeals as set forth above increase the pressure for some agreement with the Library. At the same time, the Library will see its share of funding decrease by more than 10 percent next year, due to the fact that its revenue stream is dependent solely upon property values. With a 1.3 billion drop in the total assessed real estate in the Township of Middletown, the Library’s stream of revenue will be reduced considerably. Given this dynamic, it may make sense for the Township and Library to discuss mutual relief. In other words, the Township needs money now most desperately. The Library in the out years may need assistance as its funding stream declines. Perhaps assistance from the Library during the current year could be received in exchange for promises by the Township to return the favor several years down the road.
It might also make sense for the Library to consider some sort of partnership with the Arts Center. While the Arts Center has its own Board of Directors, this arrangement, as far as I know, is not routed in any legislative scheme. Indeed, the Township has effectively turned over the operation of the Arts Center to a non-profit corporation and the Board supervises these activities. Resident Jim Grenafege was the first person to suggest that the Library Board of Trustees might consider assimilating some of the Arts Center’s operations into its activities. A casual review of the websites for these two entities suggests that there is some degree of overlap between the artistic and cultural offerings from these two bodies. Given that they both have buildings that are relatively new and both are focused on improving the education of the citizens of this Township when it comes to arts, literature and music, there may be some opportunity for the Library to assist in the operation of the Arts Center, including some of its expenses. It is exciting to contemplate what the far larger Library work force might be able to provide to the Arts Center when it comes to running the day to day events and offerings at the Arts Center.
At the end of the day, the current legislation when it comes to Library transfer to municipalities, amended in October of 2010, will likely allow some transfer to take place. From the Township’s perspective, the amount of money to be transferred under the current legislative scheme will fall short of what the Township needs to avoid drastic reductions in personnel and services. However, somewhere within the circumstances discussed above, creative minds on both sides should be able to work out an arrangement that provides some additional relief for the Township, even if it may not be a direct transfer of funds of the magnitude the Township seeks. My hope would be that the time and energy on both sides be spent working toward that goal, rather than on blaming the other.
Last week we saw the Township of Middletown enveloped in a dispute over the Township’s effort to convince the Board of Trustees for the Library to turn over a significant share of its surplus to the Township Committee for budget relief purposes. Unfortunately, the manner in which the township chose to solicit these funds lacked tact. Although the township had previously made less threatening overtures to the Library in an effort to win the Board of Trustees’ support for a funds transfer, when that effort failed, the Township pursued an aggressive campaign to convince the public that a transfer would be in their best interest. Spearheaded by new Committeeman Kevin Settembrino, this effort, whether intended or not, seemed rooted in tactics of intimidation and threats to de-municipalize the library and combine it with the County Library system. This effort also suggested that a failure of the Board of Trustees to abide by the wishes of the Township Committee would result in the loss of ten police officers, the layoff of a significant number of Township employees and, if you heard the comments at the Library Board of Trustees’ meeting, an effort by Township Committee members to replace existing Board of Trustees members.
Based on the comments from Board of Trustees’ members at their meeting on Tuesday, it would appear that the resolve of the Board of Trustees has not wilted in the face of these threats. Led by Randy Gabrielan, the Chairman of the Board, the Library challenged the assumptions, numbers and legal authority for the Township’s demand for a funds transfer. Looking ahead, as a Township resident, I would hope that both sides could retreat from the current level of heated rhetoric and restart their discussions.
I think it would be in the interest of all taxpayers for the Township Committee and Library to continue their discussions. It might make more sense to have the Township Administrator meet with the Director of the Library to discuss how the Library might be able to assist the township in this time of budget crisis. From the Library’s perspective, the Board has worked hard to build a reserve that could be used for future capital projects, and there is an understandable reluctance to use these funds to satisfy operating expenses for the Township. From the Township’s perspective, the Library has a protected stream of revenue that is not subject to the same stresses and demands that the Township must face when health care costs increase, pensions become more expensive and the cost of doing business generally continues to go up. There may be opportunities for these two parties to cooperate in other ways that would provide relief to the Township without exhausting the reserves of the library.
There is no question that the Township finds itself in a perfect storm of budgetary constraints. To be fair, some of these strains are beyond its control. But the Township moved at a glacial pace over the last several years as this financial crisis approached. A quicker response to the approaching financial storm would have made the Library ask a smaller one. Accordingly, before the Library turns over any of its reserves to the Township, it would be nice to see an acknowledgment that a swifter response from the township in 2009 and 2010 would have avoided the seriousness of the budget crisis that the Township currently faces. The Township did lay off approximately 16 employees last year, but did so only mid-year. Other municipalities took action much sooner and in more dramatic fashion. The former Mayor’s claims of 40 layoffs include retirements.
Other cost-saving measures were proposed over the last several years, but were rejected as too extreme. Unfortunately, as a result of the Township’s failure to act, the Township Committee must now contemplate cuts that go far beyond those that were previously considered “extreme.” Until the Township forms a subcommittee whose function is to focus on budget recommendations, track existing and anticipated debt, look for opportunities for consolidation and sharing of services and generally manage the Township’s finances on a more regular basis, the Township will always be reacting to rather than planning for increased demands for Township resources.
Once again, in fairness, the unfortunate timing of the Township’s reevaluation in 2009, just prior to a steep decrease in property values, set the Township up for a tax appeal nightmare in 2010 and 2011. (Of course, the township had mistakenly put off its reevaluation for approximately 14 years – had the township completed the reval when it should have, the steep drop in real estate prices would not have resulted in such a large number of tax appeals.) But regardless of the failure to conduct a timely revaluation, the Township has a legitimate reason to gripe, because when a resident or commercial property owner prevails on their tax appeal, the township must return to the taxpayer not only the municipal share of the taxes received from the taxpayer, but must also reimburse the taxpayer for the funds received by the School District during the year for which the tax appeal was filed. This reality is difficulty for some to believe, but true. And, in light of the fact that approximately two-thirds of the tax dollars go to school district activities, the Township ends up paying back the taxpayer for School District funds that the Township never received in its budget.
Consequently, the steady decrease in real estate value over the last couple of years has produced a field day for those filing tax appeals. The Township is now struggling to repay multi-year tax appeals that are probably worth nearly $4 million. Unfortunately, the Legislature has failed to assist municipalities facing this dilemma. Under the circumstances, given the unique circumstances facing municipalities, including picking up the tab for the Legislature’s bungling of pension contributions for public workers, the Legislature should provide assistance to townships by creating opportunities for public entities to finance the tax appeals or extend their repayment terms. In several years, the Township will be through this unique period where tax appeal refunds are substantial and hopefully return to a more predictable budget cycle. The Township Committee took the first step in this direction in 2010 when it decided to conduct a reassessment. Even thought the reassessment cost $400,000 the savings achieved in 2011 from reduced tax appeal filings will be far greater.
The realities of the tax appeals as set forth above increase the pressure for some agreement with the Library. At the same time, the Library will see its share of funding decrease by more than 10 percent next year, due to the fact that its revenue stream is dependent solely upon property values. With a 1.3 billion drop in the total assessed real estate in the Township of Middletown, the Library’s stream of revenue will be reduced considerably. Given this dynamic, it may make sense for the Township and Library to discuss mutual relief. In other words, the Township needs money now most desperately. The Library in the out years may need assistance as its funding stream declines. Perhaps assistance from the Library during the current year could be received in exchange for promises by the Township to return the favor several years down the road.
It might also make sense for the Library to consider some sort of partnership with the Arts Center. While the Arts Center has its own Board of Directors, this arrangement, as far as I know, is not routed in any legislative scheme. Indeed, the Township has effectively turned over the operation of the Arts Center to a non-profit corporation and the Board supervises these activities. Resident Jim Grenafege was the first person to suggest that the Library Board of Trustees might consider assimilating some of the Arts Center’s operations into its activities. A casual review of the websites for these two entities suggests that there is some degree of overlap between the artistic and cultural offerings from these two bodies. Given that they both have buildings that are relatively new and both are focused on improving the education of the citizens of this Township when it comes to arts, literature and music, there may be some opportunity for the Library to assist in the operation of the Arts Center, including some of its expenses. It is exciting to contemplate what the far larger Library work force might be able to provide to the Arts Center when it comes to running the day to day events and offerings at the Arts Center.
At the end of the day, the current legislation when it comes to Library transfer to municipalities, amended in October of 2010, will likely allow some transfer to take place. From the Township’s perspective, the amount of money to be transferred under the current legislative scheme will fall short of what the Township needs to avoid drastic reductions in personnel and services. However, somewhere within the circumstances discussed above, creative minds on both sides should be able to work out an arrangement that provides some additional relief for the Township, even if it may not be a direct transfer of funds of the magnitude the Township seeks. My hope would be that the time and energy on both sides be spent working toward that goal, rather than on blaming the other.
Meeting Minutes From Library Board's January 19th Meeting Contradicts What Was Said By Township Committee Members At Last Wednesday Night's Meeting
Over the weekend I took the time to read through the January 19th minutes of the Middletown Library Board of Trustees meeting which are posted on the Middletown Library's website.
Having sat through most of last Wednesday night's Trustees meeting and now subsequently reading through the minutes of the January 19th meeting, it is extremely hard for me to believe that Middletown's acting mayor, Tony Fiore and the rest of the Township Committee members that were in attendance, including Kevin Settembrino who is now sitting on the Library's Board of Trustees as the Mayor's representative, weren't being honest or sincere about Middletown's budget situation, the amount of money that the Township expected the Library to hand over, the threat to make the library pay market value rent to the Township for the 3 township owned builds that house the Library system or the future of the library.
In his comments to the Board of Trustees, Tony Fiore stated the Township wasn't asking for specific amounts of cash from the Library's perceived surplus and that their were no plans to make the library pay rent or turn over it's operations of the library to the County. However, based on the minutes from January 19th, Kevin Settembrino made it very clear to other members of the Library's Board of Trustees that this wasn't the case.
At one point during the meeting Board President Randall Gabrielan, felt it necessary to "reminded Mr. Settembrino that the Library is a separate board and that it has been so designated for 130+ years to specifically keep libraries out of politics. He also mentioned that the first and utmost role of a Library Trustee is to be advocate of the library.", when arrogantly told that Library Trustees were appointed by the Township Committee and that the Library should be working toward township goals.
Below are the excerpts from the January 19th meeting minutes that pertain to what Committeeman Settembrino stated to the Board of Trustees that night. I highlighted the passages that I see as contradicting from what we heard at the February 16th (last Wednesday night) meeting:
...Ms. O’Neal handed out the 2011 organizational chart as well as a cost analysis for Sunday operation at the library that had been requested by Ms. Miloscia.
Ms. O’Neal mentioned the newly revised “Budget Reduction Worksheet” had now about $160,000 in potential savings to be applied to the 2011 budget and beyond.
Ms. O’Neal reported that her 2001 Budget meeting with the Township Administrator, Asst. Administrator and CFO went well. She said that she and Mr. Trasente had a productive meeting and that she was confident that they could reconcile some of the budget issues.
Mr. Settembrino spoke candidly to the Board and told the Trustees that it is the Township Committee elected officials that have appointed them and that the Library Trustees should be working together with the Township to achieve the Township’s goals. Mr. Gabrielan reminded Mr. Settembrino that the Library is a separate board and that it has been so designated for 130+ years to specifically keep libraries out of politics. He also mentioned that the first and utmost role of a Library Trustee is to be advocate of the library.
Mr. Settembrino told the Board that the Township sent a letter of appeal to DCA in regards to the rate-ables for Middletown. Settembrino said that the Township Committee wants the Library Board agree to take a $333,000 cut in its budget before the reassessments are completed. He said that the impact is inevitable in 2012 and that they would like to see the Library buy into this reduction to help contribute to reducing the budget deficit. He will come to February 16th meeting and reopen this issue for a vote from the Board of Trustees so that the Township can introduce its budget for the March 15, 2011 Township Committee meeting. Mr. Settembrino detailed the situation.
Ms. O’Neal replied that since DCA hadn’t yet agreed to the lower evaluation amount it stands currently that the library will receive approximately 3.7 million dollars for its budget. Mr. Gabrielan said that the library will operate under the State’s formula. Mr. Settembrino replied that even if the formula doesn’t change for 2011, the Township would like the library to send those funds back to the municipality and that there is no restriction on the amount of money the board votes to provide to the municipality. Ms. Cavalier said that if the 1/3 of a mil goes down considerably the library board is going to have to study what its options are and the procedures. Mr. Milne said that the board needs to know the outcome of the appeal on the published October equalized valuation or the new numbers before any decision can be made. Mr. Milne added that he needed to review all the material before making comments on a budget reduction or giveback of that magnitude.
Ms. O’Neal said that $333,000 is a large sum of money to add to the already known 4.5% reduction for 2011 and that the lower rateables in 2012 will make it very difficult for the library.
Ms. Breen asked if this completed Mr. Settembrino’s agenda with the Library Board and he said “No”.
Mr. Settembrino brought up the debt service payments of Main. He said that the library was bonded for 7.243 million dollars and that 3.1 million dollars is the balance that has to be paid by 2022. Mr. Settembrino said he speaks for the entire Township Committee that the Township expects the library to start paying for the debt and expects a payment of $543,000 per year from the library. Ms. Miloscia asked if any other Township buildings are paying their own debt for Township buildings specifically the Arts Center. Mr. Settembrino responded “No” and that the Arts Center is generating revenue to offset its operational cost. Mr. Gabrielan said that this is a significant impact to the library.
Mr. Settembrino also informed the Board that the library should be paying market value rent for the three town-owned buildings in which it occupies. Mr. Gabrielan and Ms. O’Neal said that NJ Administrative Code specifically prohibits libraries from paying rent. Mr. Settembrino said that he would forward the payment schedule and all information that he was discussing with the Board for them to further review and help them make a voting decision during the February meeting when he expects to re-introduce these issues. [See document attached]
Ms. Cavalier said that the library board would have to explain to the community why library services have been cut. Mr. Settembrino said however you decide to communicate that to the community is up to the Board. Ms. Cavalier asked if the Township Committee will accept the responsibility for these cuts. Mr. Settembrino didn’t answer her question. He restated that it is the Board’s decision on how they chose to inform the community of such cuts should they take place. Ms. Miloscia asked Mr. Settembrino if he used the library; does he had a library card? His response was no.
Mr. Settembrino informed the Board that he will be meeting with County Freeholder Lillian Burry to gather information about the County Library system. He said that his intention was to have the library stay as a municipal library. Ms. Breen said that she was glad to hear him state that. Ms. O’Neal asked if it would be appropriate for her to attend the meeting as well and Mr. Settembrino said “No”. Ms. Miloscia then asked if it would be appropriate for her to attend and he responded “No”. Ms. O’Neal informed that board that she had a meeting scheduled with Ken Sheinbaum, Director of the Monmouth County Library system.
Ms. Breen said she would like to see this done in the spirit of cooperation for what is good for everyone, what is good for the library and for the Township. Mr. Gabrielan reiterated that the duties of the Board are to be accountable and informed and that the number one job of a library board member is to be a library advocate.
Before Maser Consulting came to do their presentation, Mr. Settembrino criticized the library for undertaking studies that the Township didn’t know about, and for which it was planning similar action, citing the solar project for which the library contracted for a structural assessment of the roof and also the parking study. He said that such expenses/studies should be approved and communicated with the Township before any action is taken by the library. Ms. O’Neal responded saying that the library was moving faster than the Township following the energy audit and didn’t proceed with hiring a solar engineering firm once it was known that the Township was soliciting similar proposals, and that the parking study was well known to the Township Administrator and two members of the committee more than a year ago....
Below are the excerpts from the January 19th meeting minutes that pertain to what Committeeman Settembrino stated to the Board of Trustees that night. I highlighted the passages that I see as contradicting from what we heard at the February 16th (last Wednesday night) meeting:
...Ms. O’Neal handed out the 2011 organizational chart as well as a cost analysis for Sunday operation at the library that had been requested by Ms. Miloscia.
Ms. O’Neal mentioned the newly revised “Budget Reduction Worksheet” had now about $160,000 in potential savings to be applied to the 2011 budget and beyond.
Ms. O’Neal reported that her 2001 Budget meeting with the Township Administrator, Asst. Administrator and CFO went well. She said that she and Mr. Trasente had a productive meeting and that she was confident that they could reconcile some of the budget issues.
Mr. Settembrino spoke candidly to the Board and told the Trustees that it is the Township Committee elected officials that have appointed them and that the Library Trustees should be working together with the Township to achieve the Township’s goals. Mr. Gabrielan reminded Mr. Settembrino that the Library is a separate board and that it has been so designated for 130+ years to specifically keep libraries out of politics. He also mentioned that the first and utmost role of a Library Trustee is to be advocate of the library.
Mr. Settembrino told the Board that the Township sent a letter of appeal to DCA in regards to the rate-ables for Middletown. Settembrino said that the Township Committee wants the Library Board agree to take a $333,000 cut in its budget before the reassessments are completed. He said that the impact is inevitable in 2012 and that they would like to see the Library buy into this reduction to help contribute to reducing the budget deficit. He will come to February 16th meeting and reopen this issue for a vote from the Board of Trustees so that the Township can introduce its budget for the March 15, 2011 Township Committee meeting. Mr. Settembrino detailed the situation.
- • Tax appeals in 2010 cost the Township 1 million dollars
- • The revals were done near market peak so tax appeals were expected to continue to be high in number
- • Reassessment will more accurately reflect market values
- • The 2011 Township Budget will not exceed 2% cap
Ms. O’Neal replied that since DCA hadn’t yet agreed to the lower evaluation amount it stands currently that the library will receive approximately 3.7 million dollars for its budget. Mr. Gabrielan said that the library will operate under the State’s formula. Mr. Settembrino replied that even if the formula doesn’t change for 2011, the Township would like the library to send those funds back to the municipality and that there is no restriction on the amount of money the board votes to provide to the municipality. Ms. Cavalier said that if the 1/3 of a mil goes down considerably the library board is going to have to study what its options are and the procedures. Mr. Milne said that the board needs to know the outcome of the appeal on the published October equalized valuation or the new numbers before any decision can be made. Mr. Milne added that he needed to review all the material before making comments on a budget reduction or giveback of that magnitude.
Ms. O’Neal said that $333,000 is a large sum of money to add to the already known 4.5% reduction for 2011 and that the lower rateables in 2012 will make it very difficult for the library.
Ms. Breen asked if this completed Mr. Settembrino’s agenda with the Library Board and he said “No”.
Mr. Settembrino brought up the debt service payments of Main. He said that the library was bonded for 7.243 million dollars and that 3.1 million dollars is the balance that has to be paid by 2022. Mr. Settembrino said he speaks for the entire Township Committee that the Township expects the library to start paying for the debt and expects a payment of $543,000 per year from the library. Ms. Miloscia asked if any other Township buildings are paying their own debt for Township buildings specifically the Arts Center. Mr. Settembrino responded “No” and that the Arts Center is generating revenue to offset its operational cost. Mr. Gabrielan said that this is a significant impact to the library.
Mr. Settembrino also informed the Board that the library should be paying market value rent for the three town-owned buildings in which it occupies. Mr. Gabrielan and Ms. O’Neal said that NJ Administrative Code specifically prohibits libraries from paying rent. Mr. Settembrino said that he would forward the payment schedule and all information that he was discussing with the Board for them to further review and help them make a voting decision during the February meeting when he expects to re-introduce these issues. [See document attached]
Ms. Cavalier said that the library board would have to explain to the community why library services have been cut. Mr. Settembrino said however you decide to communicate that to the community is up to the Board. Ms. Cavalier asked if the Township Committee will accept the responsibility for these cuts. Mr. Settembrino didn’t answer her question. He restated that it is the Board’s decision on how they chose to inform the community of such cuts should they take place. Ms. Miloscia asked Mr. Settembrino if he used the library; does he had a library card? His response was no.
Mr. Settembrino informed the Board that he will be meeting with County Freeholder Lillian Burry to gather information about the County Library system. He said that his intention was to have the library stay as a municipal library. Ms. Breen said that she was glad to hear him state that. Ms. O’Neal asked if it would be appropriate for her to attend the meeting as well and Mr. Settembrino said “No”. Ms. Miloscia then asked if it would be appropriate for her to attend and he responded “No”. Ms. O’Neal informed that board that she had a meeting scheduled with Ken Sheinbaum, Director of the Monmouth County Library system.
Ms. Breen said she would like to see this done in the spirit of cooperation for what is good for everyone, what is good for the library and for the Township. Mr. Gabrielan reiterated that the duties of the Board are to be accountable and informed and that the number one job of a library board member is to be a library advocate.
Before Maser Consulting came to do their presentation, Mr. Settembrino criticized the library for undertaking studies that the Township didn’t know about, and for which it was planning similar action, citing the solar project for which the library contracted for a structural assessment of the roof and also the parking study. He said that such expenses/studies should be approved and communicated with the Township before any action is taken by the library. Ms. O’Neal responded saying that the library was moving faster than the Township following the energy audit and didn’t proceed with hiring a solar engineering firm once it was known that the Township was soliciting similar proposals, and that the parking study was well known to the Township Administrator and two members of the committee more than a year ago....
Based on this minutes, I think the Township Committee's agenda is clear. They want money and they don't care how they get from the library, even if it is illegal to ask for and would have potential crippling effect on the functioning of the daily activities that the Library provides. It is also very clear that if the Township does get what it wants, it will hand over the Library to the County to run, even though the County Library system is considered by many to be wasteful and the personal, political patronage, dumping ground for Monmouth County Freeholder Director Lillian Burry.
Sunday, February 20, 2011
The Middletown Library is no Sewerage Authority
by guest blogger Linda Baum
So some think the Library should offer money to the Township because the Sewerage Authority did? Now let’s think about that.
First, let’s be clear that right now your sewer fees are not part of your property taxes – you pay them separately. Those fees go straight to the Sewerage Authority, bypassing the town budget. Now consider that if sewer services were housed under the Department of Public Works – where they should be – the town would save a bundle by the consolidation and those fees would be rolled into your property taxes. Then the surplus would flow back to the township anyway because the revenue would be part of the town’s budget.
Another line of thinking is that the Sewerage Authority should return surplus money to residents, not the town, because you pay these fees directly. And shouldn’t some part of the surplus go back to the other towns (Highlands and Atlantic Highlands) that pay to use our sewer services? The Sewerage Authority could argue that it has never been the practice to return monies, so therefore there is no need to now. They could also argue that they are an independent body and can do as they please, including continuing to operate on a for-profit basis.
And now one more point. The services that the Library provides cannot be compared to sewage treatment. The Library is the heart of the community. When you walk in, there is a feeling a warmth and family. There we can find the support we need for our personal and professional growth throughout our lives. And keep in mind, the library is funded in accordance with law. It is just that important.
So some think the Library should offer money to the Township because the Sewerage Authority did? Now let’s think about that.
First, let’s be clear that right now your sewer fees are not part of your property taxes – you pay them separately. Those fees go straight to the Sewerage Authority, bypassing the town budget. Now consider that if sewer services were housed under the Department of Public Works – where they should be – the town would save a bundle by the consolidation and those fees would be rolled into your property taxes. Then the surplus would flow back to the township anyway because the revenue would be part of the town’s budget.
Another line of thinking is that the Sewerage Authority should return surplus money to residents, not the town, because you pay these fees directly. And shouldn’t some part of the surplus go back to the other towns (Highlands and Atlantic Highlands) that pay to use our sewer services? The Sewerage Authority could argue that it has never been the practice to return monies, so therefore there is no need to now. They could also argue that they are an independent body and can do as they please, including continuing to operate on a for-profit basis.
And now one more point. The services that the Library provides cannot be compared to sewage treatment. The Library is the heart of the community. When you walk in, there is a feeling a warmth and family. There we can find the support we need for our personal and professional growth throughout our lives. And keep in mind, the library is funded in accordance with law. It is just that important.
Note:
Last year the Middletown Sewerage Authority (TOMSA) donated $365,000 of surplus funds to Middletown Township to help offset last years budget deficit, it is expected that this year TOMSA will contribute a comparable sum to the Township.
The question that should be answered here is; Are residents and other municipalities being overcharged by TOMSA, if so than shouldn't surplus funds be returned to those that have been overcharged in the first place, not given to the Township of Middletown to help fill in budget deficits?
As Ms. Baum pointed out the counter argument is that the surplus is being returned to the residents through local property tax relief, but again what about the towns of Highlands and Atlantic Highlands that already feel they are being overcharged and have no recourse and are indirectly providing property tax relief to Middletown? - MM
Saturday, February 19, 2011
President Obama's Weekly Address 2/19/11: To Win the Future, America Must Win the Global Competition in Education
WASHINGTON – In this week’s address, President Obama said that the United States needs the best trained and best skilled workforce in the world to win the global competition for new jobs and industries. Over the next ten years, nearly half of all new jobs will require education beyond high school. This is why his administration has made education a top priority, enacting reforms like “Race to the Top,” working to make college more affordable, revitalizing community colleges, and launching a nationwide initiative to connect graduates to the businesses that need their skills.
Friday, February 18, 2011
Update for Library Supporters
I found the following posted on the Middletown Township Library's website, it's a message from Library Director Susan O'Neal thanking those that came out to show support for the library during Wednesday night's Board of Trustees meeting.
What is most interesting about this, is her call for supporters to attend the next meeting of the Middletown Township Committee on Tuesday night, February 22nd in order to let the Township Committee know that the Library is special and any effort to dissolve the library or hand it over to the County library system would not be tolerated.
This should make for a very interesting meeting Tuesday night.
Greetings library supporters!
Thanks to the many of you who have written letters of support and/or attended the meeting of the Board of Trustees on Wednesday evening. It turned into a Town Hall type of event, with dozens of people taking their turn to speak.
The resolution of the giveback issue is that there will be a negotiation involving attorneys and administrators for both sides next week, and then the Township Committee and Library Board will each vote of acceptance of the agreement.
On this, I will keep you posted, particularly as the library board may decide to have a special meeting in early March for the express purpose of voting on a giveback of reserves.
Because the Township Committee meeting is next Tuesday at 8:00 p.m., I urge you to attend and let the TC know of your support for the library. In particular, we are fearful that the TC will proceed without public vote on dissolving the library and becoming a member of the Monmouth County Library. Unfortunately, as you may already know, public comments at the TC meetings are always at the end of their meeting. [L]
This threat now must be moved to center stage. There has been no proof presented of savings to Middletown taxpayers, and, in its own investigation, we have found out the possibility that costs might be more. Further, there is no evidence that the Monmouth Cty Library Commission or the Monmouth County Freeholders would vote to approve taking on the services to Middletown, and the prospect of doing so in a hostile environment may make it even less palatable.
On our website [mtpl.org] we are posting background information, budgets, reports, legislation and more. Not everything is there yet- but we’ve been asked for more info and we’re getting it up there as fast as possible. Our webmaster Megan is doing a great job trying to make this access as obvious and easy as possible for you to find. In addition, there’s a table in front of the borrower’s desk at Main with handouts of much of the same information. Next week I’ll have packets to go to the branch libraries with the same.
It’s been a rough week …………….. but it’s always you, our customers that make us smile!
Susan O'Neal, M.S.L.S.
Director
What is most interesting about this, is her call for supporters to attend the next meeting of the Middletown Township Committee on Tuesday night, February 22nd in order to let the Township Committee know that the Library is special and any effort to dissolve the library or hand it over to the County library system would not be tolerated.
This should make for a very interesting meeting Tuesday night.
Greetings library supporters!
Thanks to the many of you who have written letters of support and/or attended the meeting of the Board of Trustees on Wednesday evening. It turned into a Town Hall type of event, with dozens of people taking their turn to speak.
The resolution of the giveback issue is that there will be a negotiation involving attorneys and administrators for both sides next week, and then the Township Committee and Library Board will each vote of acceptance of the agreement.
On this, I will keep you posted, particularly as the library board may decide to have a special meeting in early March for the express purpose of voting on a giveback of reserves.
Because the Township Committee meeting is next Tuesday at 8:00 p.m., I urge you to attend and let the TC know of your support for the library. In particular, we are fearful that the TC will proceed without public vote on dissolving the library and becoming a member of the Monmouth County Library. Unfortunately, as you may already know, public comments at the TC meetings are always at the end of their meeting. [L]
This threat now must be moved to center stage. There has been no proof presented of savings to Middletown taxpayers, and, in its own investigation, we have found out the possibility that costs might be more. Further, there is no evidence that the Monmouth Cty Library Commission or the Monmouth County Freeholders would vote to approve taking on the services to Middletown, and the prospect of doing so in a hostile environment may make it even less palatable.
On our website [mtpl.org] we are posting background information, budgets, reports, legislation and more. Not everything is there yet- but we’ve been asked for more info and we’re getting it up there as fast as possible. Our webmaster Megan is doing a great job trying to make this access as obvious and easy as possible for you to find. In addition, there’s a table in front of the borrower’s desk at Main with handouts of much of the same information. Next week I’ll have packets to go to the branch libraries with the same.
It’s been a rough week …………….. but it’s always you, our customers that make us smile!
Susan O'Neal, M.S.L.S.
Director
Random Thoughts From Wednesdays' Library Trustees Meeting
I have asked a few people that I know, who happened to attend Wednesday night's Middletown Library Board of Trustees's meeting, if they would share a few random thoughts and observation that they may have about what went on during the course of the meeting.
If anyone else who attended the meeting would like to email me their comment I'll also post them. They can be either supportive of the Library's position or the Township's position, I don't care. The only thing that I require is a name, I will not post any thoughts or comments from anonymous email senders. If you were there then you should go on the record as such in either's defense.
It was a tense meeting. There was a clear sense the TC is bullying the library board with its play to villainize them, its threat to replace library board members with appointees more amenable to its demands, and its threat to move the town library to the county system. BTW, it was established that no TC member has ever sat on the library board before now -- Mr. Settembrino's position was typically held by a member of the public.
Sherry, the woman who sent the heavily circulated email about the town's demand, is a member of the library board. I don't know her full name, but I'm sure it's on the web somewhere. She addressed the crowd later in the evening in defense of herself and was visibly upset by the pelting she took from TC members, who called her email false, filled with misinformation, and a subversive attempt to undermine the spirit of cooperation (my words, not theirs, but close). I suspect the real cause of their concern was that her honest, grass roots effort was effective. We all know that the TC would rather that no one be informed about what they are doing.
I was sitting near the Library Board's attorney last night. He was non-vocal, for the most part. But when Brian Nelson was speaking, I heard him mumble, "He doesn't know what he's talking about."
Mtg ran long. 3.5+ hours. Very heated. TC arrogance at an all time high. Lots of good points made, mostly in support of the library.
A resolution was approved to have a mtg of the attorneys, the administrators, and a couple others to basically arrive at a figure to be presented and voted on by the whole library board at its next mtg. The TC is pushing for fast decision -- they claim a deadline of March end having to do with 2011 budget.
The library board tossed around the idea of a special board meeting in advance of the next regular one, but decided not to state that in the resolution, which just says "next mtg".
One point the library board made is that a chunk of the money included in the town's c. $4.2M quote of the library's budget is fines and copying charges or money from other sources like grants, not tax revenue. Thus, not the town's money to begin with. I don't know if any of the attorneys clarified the new law's intent with regard to this. The state's librarian (I think that's who she was) said the intent of the law is yet unclear as no rules or process have yet been established to comply with it. (Again, paraphrasing.)
Below are thoughts and comment from Linda Baum who was quoted in the article posted at RedBankGreen.com and who asked several questions that night:
It was a tense meeting. There was a clear sense the TC is bullying the library board with its play to villainize them, its threat to replace library board members with appointees more amenable to its demands, and its threat to move the town library to the county system. BTW, it was established that no TC member has ever sat on the library board before now -- Mr. Settembrino's position was typically held by a member of the public.
Sherry, the woman who sent the heavily circulated email about the town's demand, is a member of the library board. I don't know her full name, but I'm sure it's on the web somewhere. She addressed the crowd later in the evening in defense of herself and was visibly upset by the pelting she took from TC members, who called her email false, filled with misinformation, and a subversive attempt to undermine the spirit of cooperation (my words, not theirs, but close). I suspect the real cause of their concern was that her honest, grass roots effort was effective. We all know that the TC would rather that no one be informed about what they are doing.
I was sitting near the Library Board's attorney last night. He was non-vocal, for the most part. But when Brian Nelson was speaking, I heard him mumble, "He doesn't know what he's talking about."
Mtg ran long. 3.5+ hours. Very heated. TC arrogance at an all time high. Lots of good points made, mostly in support of the library.
A resolution was approved to have a mtg of the attorneys, the administrators, and a couple others to basically arrive at a figure to be presented and voted on by the whole library board at its next mtg. The TC is pushing for fast decision -- they claim a deadline of March end having to do with 2011 budget.
The library board tossed around the idea of a special board meeting in advance of the next regular one, but decided not to state that in the resolution, which just says "next mtg".
One point the library board made is that a chunk of the money included in the town's c. $4.2M quote of the library's budget is fines and copying charges or money from other sources like grants, not tax revenue. Thus, not the town's money to begin with. I don't know if any of the attorneys clarified the new law's intent with regard to this. The state's librarian (I think that's who she was) said the intent of the law is yet unclear as no rules or process have yet been established to comply with it. (Again, paraphrasing.)
And one more thing, and this is great stuff: One of the last members of the public to speak was a woman who said she encountered Kevin Settembrino in the lobby before the meeting. She didn't know him and said that he didn't identify himself but commented to her something like "Look at all the cars. I wonder what's going on here tonight." Of course, Settembrino denied it.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Crime Scene Middletown: MAN ARRESTED ON DRUG CHARGES AFTER POLICE CHECK SUSPICIOUS VEHICLE
PREPARED BY DETETCTIVE LIEUTENANT STEPHEN DOLLINGER On February 14, 2011 at approximately 4:26 pm Patrolman Robert McNair was on patrol in the area of Bray Avenue when he observed a suspicious vehicle parked on the side of the road with the driver’s door wide open.
Officer McNair approached the vehicle and located a male subject, Nicholas Sipsis, age 19, from Bray Avenue in Middletown, sitting in the driver’s seat. Patrolman McNair observed a substance which he recognized as marijuana laying loose on Sipsis’ pants.
Patrolman McNair advised Sipsis of his observation at which point Sipsis told the officer that he also had a cigar filled with marijuana in his pants pocket. Sipsis then retrieved the marijuana filled cigar and handed it to the officer.
Sipsis was placed under arrest and was transported to police headquarters for processing. He was charged with Possession of under 50 grams of marijuana and was released on a summons pending a court appearance.
Crime scene Middletown: FOUR SUBJECTS ARRESTED FOR SHOPLIFTING FROM KOHLS STORE
PREPARED BY DETECTIVE LIEUTENANT STEPHEN DOLLINGEROn February 14, 2011 at approximately 4: 49pm police responded to the Kohls Department Store in reference to a report of a shoplifting. Upon arrival Patrolman Raymond Sofield was advised by store security that they had observed four subjects walking throughout the store for approximately two hours.
The security officer advised Officer Sofield that the four subjects then left the store with approximately $1240.00 in merchandise without paying. Security stopped the group in the parking lot at which point they dropped some of the merchandise and fled in a silver colored Kia Sodona.
The description of the vehicle was given out to other patrol units in the area and was located and stopped by Sgt. Michael Kenney in the area of Highway 35 and Apple Farm Road. Sgt. Kenney located some of the stolen merchandise and placed the occupants under arrest.
Arrested were George Garulle, age 42, Mary Garulle, age 43, and Chantelle Garulle, age 28, all from Sandy Hook Avenue in Belford and Adam Stranges, age 19, from Seabreeze Avenue in Middletown. All subjects were transported to police headquarters for processing and were charged with Shoplifting and Conspiracy to Commit Shoplifting.
While being processed police located outstanding Contempt of Court warrants out of New Jersey and California for George Garulle and outstanding Contempt of Court warrants out of California for Chantelle Garulle.
Chantelle Garulle was held on $30,000.00 with no 10% option, George Garulle was held on $20,000.00 with no 10% option, Mary Garulle was released on $1,500.00 bail with a 10% option and Adam Stranges was held on $15,000.00 with no 10% option. Bail was set by Judge Richard Thompson.
RedBankGreen.com: M’TOWN LIBRARY DEBATE GETS PERSONAL
Dustin Racioppi of RedBankGreen.com posted his take on last night's Library Board of Trustees meeting in Middletown just a few ago.
In my opinion Racioppi's take on the meeting was closer to what actually transpired than what Kevin Penton wrote for the Asbury Park Press. Racioppi did a decent job of telling how contentious portions of the meet was last night, but unless you where actually there, you have no idea how heavy the atmosphere and mood actually was.
Committeeman Kevin Settembrino seemed like he was a henchman or stooge form the mafia's godfather last night. He was very demanding and lack civility on many occasions that I witnessed.
I left last nights meeting with the impression that the Library would only turn over to the Township the funds that they legally have to under state statue, which in an of itself was an issue that was haggled over and would amount to about $200K based on the Boards interpretation of the law, a far cry from the almost $900K that the Township committee is looking for.
Here is some of what Dustin Racioppi had to say about last nights meeting:
...Indeed, this was not going to be swift or pretty, as the library faced implications it had never seen before: the threat of being transferred to the Monmouth County library system and indirect blame for township employees being laid off.
At the end of the long night, though, the board compromised, agreeing to have the attorneys and administrators from both bodies meet within the next two weeks to try and agree upon an “amicable” figure the library would take from its surplus and transfer to the general budget. That number will be voted on at a meeting in March.
It took a marathon of debate to get to that point, though.
Residents filled the library’s meeting room to probe officials, tell their stories about the library and, at times, take jabs at elected officials. At one point, a line seven deep formed behind the microphone.
Resident Mike Burns took aim at Committeeman Kevin Settembrino, who also serves on the library board and favors the raid on the surplus. It was, perhaps, an initiation to Middletown politics for Settembrino, who took office in January and, as Burns pointed out, doesn’t hold a library card.
“Mr. Settembrino, when was the last time you checked out a book? When was the last time you checked out a CD? When was the last time you checked out a DVD?” he asked. “I think it’s interesting that you’re on the library board. Can you tell me what the difference is between you serving on the library board and Osama bin Laden serving on the Department of Homeland Security?”
While harsh comments peppered the meeting, there was also constructive criticism for township officials to consider in the formation of Middletown’s budget.
The town, facing declining revenues and a staggering amount of tax appeal refunds, came to the library board last month for help, asking for $898,000 to cover the library’s debt service on a bond for the library’s renovation and a decrease in its property value.
Linda Baum suggested that rather than dip into the library surplus, the committee should consider other cost-reduction options, like outsourcing leaf and brush collection.
“There’s your million dollars right there,” she said. “We obviously need to do some creative thinking.”
Before the meeting got started, and shortly after, the tension among the board and committee members reached a fever pitch as a result of the committee’s threat that if the board didn’t help with the town budget, the committee would explore the option of transferring the library to the county system. The committee also filed a layoff plan with the state calling for the elimination of 26 jobs, including those of 10 police officers, adding to the pressure put on the library board....
You can read his full take on last nights meeting >>> Here
And again I need to state, even if the Library hands over a portion of its surplus funds, it will have no effect on the previously announced layoffs of 26 township employees. Those jobs are considered lost already by the Township Committee we learned last night. Any funds that the Township receives from the Library could only possibly prevent more employees loosing their jobs.
In my opinion Racioppi's take on the meeting was closer to what actually transpired than what Kevin Penton wrote for the Asbury Park Press. Racioppi did a decent job of telling how contentious portions of the meet was last night, but unless you where actually there, you have no idea how heavy the atmosphere and mood actually was.
Committeeman Kevin Settembrino seemed like he was a henchman or stooge form the mafia's godfather last night. He was very demanding and lack civility on many occasions that I witnessed.
I left last nights meeting with the impression that the Library would only turn over to the Township the funds that they legally have to under state statue, which in an of itself was an issue that was haggled over and would amount to about $200K based on the Boards interpretation of the law, a far cry from the almost $900K that the Township committee is looking for.
Here is some of what Dustin Racioppi had to say about last nights meeting:
...Indeed, this was not going to be swift or pretty, as the library faced implications it had never seen before: the threat of being transferred to the Monmouth County library system and indirect blame for township employees being laid off.
At the end of the long night, though, the board compromised, agreeing to have the attorneys and administrators from both bodies meet within the next two weeks to try and agree upon an “amicable” figure the library would take from its surplus and transfer to the general budget. That number will be voted on at a meeting in March.
It took a marathon of debate to get to that point, though.
Residents filled the library’s meeting room to probe officials, tell their stories about the library and, at times, take jabs at elected officials. At one point, a line seven deep formed behind the microphone.
Resident Mike Burns took aim at Committeeman Kevin Settembrino, who also serves on the library board and favors the raid on the surplus. It was, perhaps, an initiation to Middletown politics for Settembrino, who took office in January and, as Burns pointed out, doesn’t hold a library card.
“Mr. Settembrino, when was the last time you checked out a book? When was the last time you checked out a CD? When was the last time you checked out a DVD?” he asked. “I think it’s interesting that you’re on the library board. Can you tell me what the difference is between you serving on the library board and Osama bin Laden serving on the Department of Homeland Security?”
While harsh comments peppered the meeting, there was also constructive criticism for township officials to consider in the formation of Middletown’s budget.
The town, facing declining revenues and a staggering amount of tax appeal refunds, came to the library board last month for help, asking for $898,000 to cover the library’s debt service on a bond for the library’s renovation and a decrease in its property value.
Linda Baum suggested that rather than dip into the library surplus, the committee should consider other cost-reduction options, like outsourcing leaf and brush collection.
“There’s your million dollars right there,” she said. “We obviously need to do some creative thinking.”
Before the meeting got started, and shortly after, the tension among the board and committee members reached a fever pitch as a result of the committee’s threat that if the board didn’t help with the town budget, the committee would explore the option of transferring the library to the county system. The committee also filed a layoff plan with the state calling for the elimination of 26 jobs, including those of 10 police officers, adding to the pressure put on the library board....
You can read his full take on last nights meeting >>> Here
And again I need to state, even if the Library hands over a portion of its surplus funds, it will have no effect on the previously announced layoffs of 26 township employees. Those jobs are considered lost already by the Township Committee we learned last night. Any funds that the Township receives from the Library could only possibly prevent more employees loosing their jobs.
APP: Middletown requests library hand over surplus of over $542G
Real quickly, here is the take of Asbury Park Press Reporter Kevin Penton, who was at last night's Middletown Library Board of Trustees meeting. As I said in my post last night after the meeting, it was a long meeting and frustrating at times to sit through listening to the double-talk coming from members of the Township Committee. Even though Penton kept his take on last nights meeting brief and didn't quite capture the total essence of what transpired, I think he did a nice job with this, and I'll have more to say later!
MIDDLETOWN — It is not a demand, but a simple request — the library should give the township at least $542,767, municipal officials said Wednesday.
But should the township public library's board of trustees not agree to the request, there could be consequences.
The Township Committee has the ability to request, by adopting a resolution, that the municipality's library join the Monmouth County Library System, Mayor Anthony Fiore said.
"Such a move would be an absolute last resort," said Fiore in a letter to residents on Wednesday. "Without the transfer of some of the library surplus, it may become a fiscal necessity. Not an option, a necessity."
Shifting the library to the county's stewardship would reduce the township's costs by at least $1 million, Fiore said Wednesday outside of the board of trustees' meeting, which about 100 residents attended.
After more than three hours of debate, the board voted unanimously to ask the attorneys and administrators of the township and the library to meet before the end of the month to agree on a figure. The board would then decide whether to accept it.
Most of the residents who commented during the meeting said the library should not hand the money to the township.
Township officials have said they need the money to avoid laying off more than the 26 positions that are already part of a plan it submitted to the state Civil Service Commission on Friday. Included in the layoff plan are 10 township police department and 13 parks and recreation department positions.
Resident Melanie Elminger compared the situation to the story of the grasshopper and the ant. The ants worked hard all summer to save their food while the grasshopper relaxed and sang. Come winter, the grasshopper wanted the ants' food, even though it had done nothing to save it, she said.
"Mr. Settembrino, don't be a Grinch and steal our library," Elminger said, referring to Kevin Settembrino, a township committeeman who sits on the board of trustees and initiated the request last month.
Fred Deickmann, president of the Middletown Superior Officers Association, encouraged the board to contribute the money.
"Everyone needs to work together on this," said Deickmann, who pledged to work with his union members to come up with additional concessions. "I implore the board to assist."
"We're not here to extort your money," Fiore told the board. "I'm here to plead for cooperation."
MIDDLETOWN — It is not a demand, but a simple request — the library should give the township at least $542,767, municipal officials said Wednesday.
But should the township public library's board of trustees not agree to the request, there could be consequences.
The Township Committee has the ability to request, by adopting a resolution, that the municipality's library join the Monmouth County Library System, Mayor Anthony Fiore said.
"Such a move would be an absolute last resort," said Fiore in a letter to residents on Wednesday. "Without the transfer of some of the library surplus, it may become a fiscal necessity. Not an option, a necessity."
Shifting the library to the county's stewardship would reduce the township's costs by at least $1 million, Fiore said Wednesday outside of the board of trustees' meeting, which about 100 residents attended.
After more than three hours of debate, the board voted unanimously to ask the attorneys and administrators of the township and the library to meet before the end of the month to agree on a figure. The board would then decide whether to accept it.
Most of the residents who commented during the meeting said the library should not hand the money to the township.
Township officials have said they need the money to avoid laying off more than the 26 positions that are already part of a plan it submitted to the state Civil Service Commission on Friday. Included in the layoff plan are 10 township police department and 13 parks and recreation department positions.
Resident Melanie Elminger compared the situation to the story of the grasshopper and the ant. The ants worked hard all summer to save their food while the grasshopper relaxed and sang. Come winter, the grasshopper wanted the ants' food, even though it had done nothing to save it, she said.
"Mr. Settembrino, don't be a Grinch and steal our library," Elminger said, referring to Kevin Settembrino, a township committeeman who sits on the board of trustees and initiated the request last month.
Fred Deickmann, president of the Middletown Superior Officers Association, encouraged the board to contribute the money.
"Everyone needs to work together on this," said Deickmann, who pledged to work with his union members to come up with additional concessions. "I implore the board to assist."
"We're not here to extort your money," Fiore told the board. "I'm here to plead for cooperation."
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Emotions Run High At Library Board Meeting
I just walked throughout the door after attending tonight's Middletown Library Board of Trustees meeting, at this point in time 10:47pm, the meeting is still ongoing. I couldn't stand the BS any longer and I had to leave.
The final nail which was hammered into my head, that made me leave the proceedings was the exchange that was taking place between Board of Trustee members and Mayor Tony Fiore. In a moment of frustration at being questioned about the legality of whether or not theTownship could request funds from the Library and exactly how much money was available for the taking, Fiore said to library Director Susan O'Neal, "With all due respect, you don't know what we know!"
That statement blew my mind, I had to leave, I could take the BS any longer.
One fact that everyone should know about tonight's meeting, regardless of whether or not the Library board gives funds to the Township it WILL NOT effect the need to layoff of members of the Middletown Police Department or the other 16 people that have been targeted to loose their jobs. As a matter of fact, if funds do not come from the Library to help plug Middletown's budget defect MORE people will need to be laid off, not just the previously announced 26 individual.
The final nail which was hammered into my head, that made me leave the proceedings was the exchange that was taking place between Board of Trustee members and Mayor Tony Fiore. In a moment of frustration at being questioned about the legality of whether or not theTownship could request funds from the Library and exactly how much money was available for the taking, Fiore said to library Director Susan O'Neal, "With all due respect, you don't know what we know!"
That statement blew my mind, I had to leave, I could take the BS any longer.
One fact that everyone should know about tonight's meeting, regardless of whether or not the Library board gives funds to the Township it WILL NOT effect the need to layoff of members of the Middletown Police Department or the other 16 people that have been targeted to loose their jobs. As a matter of fact, if funds do not come from the Library to help plug Middletown's budget defect MORE people will need to be laid off, not just the previously announced 26 individual.
And even though the Township is not looking to turn over the Middletown library system over to the County, the Township Committee has already looked into the possibility of it and would be willing to do it if nessassary, as per Mayor Tony Fiore.
Reporters from the APP, Independent and RedbankGreen.com were their tonight covering the event. Kevin Penton of the APP said that the will be posting a story before the end of the night.
I'll post more about this later also, but for know I need to go to bed, my head hurts!
Middletown Mayor Fiore Sends Out Defensive Message In Advance Of Tonight's Library Meeting
This just in - a very short while ago,Middletown's Mayor Tony Fiore has issued a statement in advance of tonight's meeting with the Board of Trustees of the Middeltown Library that attempts to defuse any misunderstandings that people may have developed over the past few days over the issue of whether or not the Township could or should take excess funds from the Library in order to help plug a $4M hole in the Township budget.
This letter sounds a little like revisionist history after his ill advised and hurried press release Fiore issued Sunday afternoon threatening the library that if surplus funds were not turned over to the township, the library would be responsiible for the laying off of 26 municipal employees, 10 of which would come from the ranks of the Middletown Police Department and 13 from the Departmment of Parks and Recreation.
This message was issued over the Township's c3alert network.
Dear Township Residents:
I felt it was necessary for me to respond to the recent flurry of comments and emails regarding the Middletown Township Library. It is unfortunate that some have chosen to engage in the spread of completely false information with regard to the Township Committee’s request of the Middletown Library Board. So let me set the record straight.
First let me make it very clear that neither I nor any member of the Township Committee has ever suggested or proposed closing any library facility in the Township. We would simply not do such a thing.
The situation the Township finds itself in is not unlike that being faced by towns throughout New Jersey. With revenues sharply down due to the economic downturn we remain in and with state-mandated costs ever on the rise, we are now faced with an extraordinary fiscal challenge. This includes the potential for the layoff of a number of employees and even possibly police. Be assured that we do all we can to avoid layoffs and we take the matter very seriously.
The Library budget is different from the Township budget in that state law specifies how much must be allocated to the library each year, whether it is needed to operate the library or not. The result of this is that the library now has a surplus of $1.2 million. While some portion of this surplus is needed for ongoing support of library programs and initiatives, the vast majority is not needed for continued operations. I personally met about two weeks ago with the Library Director and the Board Chairman and asked that they bring back to the library board a request to transfer approximately $700,000.00 - $800,000.00 of their surplus to the Township’s budget. This would be used to offset layoffs and to help fund the continuation of many vital Township services and help to offset the impact of over $4 million in tax appeals.
The Township Committee is fully aware that the library board cannot be forced to do this. However we are asking that they work with us in a unified effort to help all of the residents and taxpayers of the Township. I would note that the Township Sewerage Authority dedicated a portion of its surplus to the Township last year and we anticipate them doing the same again this year.
Many people have expressed concern that the Township Committee is seeking to transfer operation of the library to the Monmouth County Library System. Let me be clear that the Township Committee has taken no action to do this. Such a move would be an absolute last resort, but without the transfer of some of the library surplus it may become a fiscal necessity. Not an option, a necessity. Should this action have to occur, the library would not close, it would simply move under the umbrella of the county and the staff would become county employees rather than be Township employees. Again, we do not want to make this move. We would like to see our library continue as the great Township facility it is. Our hope is that we can work with the Library Board as a team with the best interests of the Township as the goal.
Sincerely,
Anthony P. Fiore, Mayor
This letter sounds a little like revisionist history after his ill advised and hurried press release Fiore issued Sunday afternoon threatening the library that if surplus funds were not turned over to the township, the library would be responsiible for the laying off of 26 municipal employees, 10 of which would come from the ranks of the Middletown Police Department and 13 from the Departmment of Parks and Recreation.
This message was issued over the Township's c3alert network.
Dear Township Residents:
I felt it was necessary for me to respond to the recent flurry of comments and emails regarding the Middletown Township Library. It is unfortunate that some have chosen to engage in the spread of completely false information with regard to the Township Committee’s request of the Middletown Library Board. So let me set the record straight.
First let me make it very clear that neither I nor any member of the Township Committee has ever suggested or proposed closing any library facility in the Township. We would simply not do such a thing.
The situation the Township finds itself in is not unlike that being faced by towns throughout New Jersey. With revenues sharply down due to the economic downturn we remain in and with state-mandated costs ever on the rise, we are now faced with an extraordinary fiscal challenge. This includes the potential for the layoff of a number of employees and even possibly police. Be assured that we do all we can to avoid layoffs and we take the matter very seriously.
The Library budget is different from the Township budget in that state law specifies how much must be allocated to the library each year, whether it is needed to operate the library or not. The result of this is that the library now has a surplus of $1.2 million. While some portion of this surplus is needed for ongoing support of library programs and initiatives, the vast majority is not needed for continued operations. I personally met about two weeks ago with the Library Director and the Board Chairman and asked that they bring back to the library board a request to transfer approximately $700,000.00 - $800,000.00 of their surplus to the Township’s budget. This would be used to offset layoffs and to help fund the continuation of many vital Township services and help to offset the impact of over $4 million in tax appeals.
The Township Committee is fully aware that the library board cannot be forced to do this. However we are asking that they work with us in a unified effort to help all of the residents and taxpayers of the Township. I would note that the Township Sewerage Authority dedicated a portion of its surplus to the Township last year and we anticipate them doing the same again this year.
Many people have expressed concern that the Township Committee is seeking to transfer operation of the library to the Monmouth County Library System. Let me be clear that the Township Committee has taken no action to do this. Such a move would be an absolute last resort, but without the transfer of some of the library surplus it may become a fiscal necessity. Not an option, a necessity. Should this action have to occur, the library would not close, it would simply move under the umbrella of the county and the staff would become county employees rather than be Township employees. Again, we do not want to make this move. We would like to see our library continue as the great Township facility it is. Our hope is that we can work with the Library Board as a team with the best interests of the Township as the goal.
Sincerely,
Anthony P. Fiore, Mayor
Middletown Township Library Board of Trustees Meeting Tonight
From what I have been hearing, tonight's Middletown Library Board of Trustees meeting which will be held at the main Library on New Monmouth Rd. will be an event not to be missed.
I have heard from many people that they intend on being at the 7pm meeting in the Library's Community room. They are hoping to get there opinions heard without being cut off during discussion time, which often happens during Township meetings.
At tonight's meeting the discussion will focus on whether or not the Library will/should hand over to the Township surplus funds that the Township Committee could use to plug a whole in this years municipal budget.
This one-shot revenue grab by the Township is very controversial and possibly illegal based on State mandated law. It has the potential to cripple the operating of the Library long term which could lead to the library system being turned over to the County.
Regardless of your position on this issue, if you want a night out and wish to attend an interesting and free "show" tonight, I recommend that you stop by and add your two cents to the arguments.
I have heard from many people that they intend on being at the 7pm meeting in the Library's Community room. They are hoping to get there opinions heard without being cut off during discussion time, which often happens during Township meetings.
At tonight's meeting the discussion will focus on whether or not the Library will/should hand over to the Township surplus funds that the Township Committee could use to plug a whole in this years municipal budget.
This one-shot revenue grab by the Township is very controversial and possibly illegal based on State mandated law. It has the potential to cripple the operating of the Library long term which could lead to the library system being turned over to the County.
Regardless of your position on this issue, if you want a night out and wish to attend an interesting and free "show" tonight, I recommend that you stop by and add your two cents to the arguments.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
War Of Words Over Surplus Funds Between Middletown Library Director and Middletown Mayor
I wish I had seen this earlier today, I would have posted this war of words between Middletown Library Director Susan O'Neal and Mayor Tony Fiore sooner.
The following excerpt is from RedBankGreen.com article "M’TOWN LIBRARY CENTER OF BUDGET BATTLE" and explains that the Library's surplus funds were not from the accumulation of tax dollars but from other means such as donations, grants and service fees saved over a number of years and is earmarked already for capital projects and improvements, therefore the Library need not turn the excess funds over to the Township:
"...Library Director Susan O’Neill said most of the surplus money is restricted, so even if the board wanted to draw from it, legally it couldn’t. Plus, she said the surplus money was raised through donations, fines and copy fees over the last several years.
“There’s no municipal money in these reserves at all. They are not surplus from our budget,” O’Neill said. “(It) was built up by the trustees so it wouldn’t have to go to the township to finance any capital projects at the library.”
The money in the surplus is earmarked for future projects, O’Neill said, like a solar initiative, addressing a parking shortage at the main library, technology upgrades and a possible renovation at the Lincroft branch.
One large point at dispute between the board and the committee is payment on the library’s $8.5 million renovation in 2004, $7 million of which was bonded for by the township. Fiore said the library has made no payments on the bond, and it’s time for the board to ditch its “spend-it-before-we-have-to-give-it-back mentality.”
The $898,000 the township is asking for represents the annual $565,000 the town pays on the debt service for the bond and a $333,000 decrease in property value in 2012 due to a recent reassessment, officials say. Other entities, like the sewerage authority, which contributed about $360,000 from its surplus toward the town budget last year, will chip in to help this year.
“I don’t think the people of Middletown realize the library is sitting on a huge surplus,” Fiore said. “What we’re asking of them is to contribute that portion of the surplus.”
But O’Neill said the town agreed to bond for the renovations and therefore agreed to pick up the tab. And for the town to ask for nearly $900,000 in one shot, she said, is “just physically not possible,” and could cripple the library, which, with a myriad of programs and community events, serves as much a role as a educational and cultural center of the town as it does an information hub.
“I think we’re faced with something far more serious and far more grave,” O’Neill said, “and the library’s future is in doubt.”..."
"...Library Director Susan O’Neill said most of the surplus money is restricted, so even if the board wanted to draw from it, legally it couldn’t. Plus, she said the surplus money was raised through donations, fines and copy fees over the last several years.
“There’s no municipal money in these reserves at all. They are not surplus from our budget,” O’Neill said. “(It) was built up by the trustees so it wouldn’t have to go to the township to finance any capital projects at the library.”
The money in the surplus is earmarked for future projects, O’Neill said, like a solar initiative, addressing a parking shortage at the main library, technology upgrades and a possible renovation at the Lincroft branch.
One large point at dispute between the board and the committee is payment on the library’s $8.5 million renovation in 2004, $7 million of which was bonded for by the township. Fiore said the library has made no payments on the bond, and it’s time for the board to ditch its “spend-it-before-we-have-to-give-it-back mentality.”
The $898,000 the township is asking for represents the annual $565,000 the town pays on the debt service for the bond and a $333,000 decrease in property value in 2012 due to a recent reassessment, officials say. Other entities, like the sewerage authority, which contributed about $360,000 from its surplus toward the town budget last year, will chip in to help this year.
“I don’t think the people of Middletown realize the library is sitting on a huge surplus,” Fiore said. “What we’re asking of them is to contribute that portion of the surplus.”
But O’Neill said the town agreed to bond for the renovations and therefore agreed to pick up the tab. And for the town to ask for nearly $900,000 in one shot, she said, is “just physically not possible,” and could cripple the library, which, with a myriad of programs and community events, serves as much a role as a educational and cultural center of the town as it does an information hub.
“I think we’re faced with something far more serious and far more grave,” O’Neill said, “and the library’s future is in doubt.”..."
Library Doesn't Have To Turn Over Excess Funds To Township
I received this email from my friend Don Watson, he has been very busy the past few days looking into the issue of whether or not the Township can confiscate surplus funds from the Middletown Library. He found a bill that was signed by Gov. Christie that states that libraries can maintain surpluses of 20% or more of their operating budgets depending on certain circumstances like pending capital projects or grants.
Nice work, thanks Don !
Hi,
In case you have been following the issue about the Township trying to get money from the Library to subsidize the Township budget, I have been doing some research and corresponding with individuals over the past few days. There is a law that passed in the end of October that outlines exactly what the Township is entitled to from the Library funds. I have attached the version, as it appears in the books. In essence, the Library can keep its operating budget plus another 20%, excluding funds restricted for capital projects and grants to be maintained as surplus.
My views:
This is all the Library is required to do. They do not have to pay rent or pay for the bond the Township issued to rebuild the Library. If this was the case the Township should also be treating the Arts Center in the same light. What about every other department? Shouldn't they be paying for the facilities they utilize? The Library is not like the Sewer Authority. The Library is part of the Township government and the Library budget is part of the Township budget. Look at the bill lists for every month. It is a State law that says a certain amount of taxes collected, based on the value of the rateables in town, that havwe to go to fund the Library.
Don
You can read the bill signed by Gov. Christie >>> Here
Nice work, thanks Don !
Hi,
In case you have been following the issue about the Township trying to get money from the Library to subsidize the Township budget, I have been doing some research and corresponding with individuals over the past few days. There is a law that passed in the end of October that outlines exactly what the Township is entitled to from the Library funds. I have attached the version, as it appears in the books. In essence, the Library can keep its operating budget plus another 20%, excluding funds restricted for capital projects and grants to be maintained as surplus.
My views:
This is all the Library is required to do. They do not have to pay rent or pay for the bond the Township issued to rebuild the Library. If this was the case the Township should also be treating the Arts Center in the same light. What about every other department? Shouldn't they be paying for the facilities they utilize? The Library is not like the Sewer Authority. The Library is part of the Township government and the Library budget is part of the Township budget. Look at the bill lists for every month. It is a State law that says a certain amount of taxes collected, based on the value of the rateables in town, that havwe to go to fund the Library.
Don
You can read the bill signed by Gov. Christie >>> Here
Middletown Planning To Impose Fees Onto It's Library
On top of demanding that the Middletown Library fork over it's budget surplus to the Township so that it can balance it's own budget and avoid laying of members of the Middletown Police force, the Township Committee is now planning on having the Library pay rental fees to occupy the it's premisses throughout the Township.
That's right, the Township want to charge the library market rate rental fees to occupy the building that house the system.
The Township is planning on charging the Library a total of $119K a year in rental fees for the Main library and its satellite branches in Port Monmouth and Lincroft.
The Township is also planning on the Library to paid off the debt that the Township incurred for the construction of the main Library on New Monmouth rd., which would be an additional $542K a year in principal and interest charges taken from the coffers of the Library.
Here is a PDF file that show's the charges that the Township Committee wishes to impose on the Middletown Library
I think it is safe to say that if these fees are imposed on the library, the library as we know it will no longer exist. The quality service and experiences that make Middletown's library so special to the tens of thousands of residents that use it every year will be lost.
If the Township is successful in imposing property rental fees for the buildings that the library occupies than a new precedence will have been established for Township own buildings.
In that case than, rental fees should be charged against the Middletown Arts Center instead of leasing the property to the Arts Council for $1 a year, and to all groups or departments that use township property or buildings.
Quote of the Day From Middletown
Today's quote of the day in Middletown is in response to the Township Committee stating that police layoffs can be averted if only the Middletown library hands over it's surplus funds:
"I don't really think there is a link between library funds and police positions, they just believe it is politically convenient for them to make one.'' - Randall Gabrielan, President of the Middletown Library Board of Trustees
Source Asbury Park Press 2/15/11
"I don't really think there is a link between library funds and police positions, they just believe it is politically convenient for them to make one.'' - Randall Gabrielan, President of the Middletown Library Board of Trustees
Source Asbury Park Press 2/15/11
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