Baum & Olsen: Our Plan for Property Tax Relief, Efficiency and Open Government

 Conduct a town-wide operational (forensic) audit to eliminate wasteful spending

It’s time to find out exactly how our money is being handled. Significant corrective action has been required by the Township as a result of the last four regular audits.

 Organize a flood committee to help Sandy victims with all aspects of the recovery process

A much more organized, responsive effort is needed to help flood victims restore their lives. There is currently no reliable, accessible single point-of-contact to coordinate ALL of their needs. The flood committee would fill that role. Its special purpose would be to disseminate information timely to affected residents, advise them about sources of aid, help coordinate coverage, assist with paperwork and respond to questions. In addition, the committee members would advocate on behalf of flood victims and provide for all of their household needs as well by working closely with other organizations. The committee can also be charged with monitoring flooding conditions on an ongoing basis with an emphasis on responsible development, timely repair of flood prevention infrastructure, and so on.

 Create incentives to attract new businesses and lower our property taxes

A thriving business community benefits Middletown residents in many ways. In addition to the variety of useful services available to us locally, a strong commercial tax base reduces the property tax burden on homeowners. Out-of-the-box thinking is needed to attract new business, retain existing ones, and encourage community support of local enterprise.

 Replace Cadillac health benefits with a sustainable, less costly health coverage plan

A task force of health insurance and medical professionals should be formed to review the township’s rapidly growing health care costs. It is necessary to identify cost drivers, coverage options, and incentives for employees to save money and increase wellness.

 Eliminate benefits for part time political appointees

Political appointees who work 1 day a week or as little as a few hours a month are not entitled to taxpayer-funded health and pension benefits.

 Eliminate overpriced no-bid contracts to politically connected firms

At least $1 million a year – and potentially much more – gets awarded in contracts to friends & contributors. Requiring competitive bidding on sizable contracts – including engineering and other professional work – could save hundreds of thousands of dollars a year.

 Establish a citizen finance board to help reduce costs and generate revenue

The Township Committee (a part-time body) needs to organize its work effort and delegate real work to committees to increase the efficiency of operations. A finance committee, in particular, would provide ongoing in-depth review of township operations to identify ways to reduce costs, generate revenue, consolidate operations and share services. This board and others would work to continuously identify problems and solutions that result in a far more responsive, pro-active government.

 Televise Township Committee meetings on free cable access television

We have the right to see our government at work and to be informed about all aspects of how our township is run. The greater the transparency, the greater the accountability. Township Committee meetings should be broadcast on the township’s free cable access television stations and made available online at the township’s website. Meetings of township boards can be, also.

 Conduct public forums to give residents a real say in what happens in our town

Too many decisions have been made without seeking public input in a forum that allows for open discussion amongst members of the community. The sharing of ideas & issues is important to ensure the smooth implementation of new policies and makes for a far more responsible government.

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Linda Baum and Patrica Olsen are Middletown Democratic Candidates for Township Committee. They have a website, abettermiddletown.com where I found their campaign platform for the upcoming November 5th  general election (above). There's a lot of details here, take a look and check out their website.