Ad Populos, Non Aditus, Pervenimus Published Every Thursday Since September 3, 1890 (908) 232-4407 USPS 680020 Thursday, March 29, 2018 OUR 128th YEAR – ISSUE NO. 13-2018 Periodical – Postage Paid at Rahway, N.J. www.goleader.com
[email protected] ONE DOLLAR Westfield Introduces $48.2 Mill. 2018 Municipal Budget By CHRISTINA M. HINKE crease of 0.52 percent. The increase for the police and fire departments, Specially Written for The Westfield Leader equates to approximately $30 on the up almost 15 percent. The total in- WESTFIELD — The town council average assessed homeowner. The crease in non-discretionary costs, on Tuesday introduced its 2018 bud- budget and the presentation can be which includes, pensions, salaries, get of $48,211,227, by a 8-to-1 vote, found on the town’s website healthcare, sewerage, and more, was with a municipal tax levy increase of westfieldnj.gov. about 3.5 percent. 1.13 percent for a total tax levy of The Special Improvement District Councilwoman Neylan gave a list $27,975,496 with a separate library (SID) budget was also introduced by of reasons why she wouldn’t support tax of $2,571,941. The tax levy in- the council, with a $6,000 increase, the budget as presented. “Firstly, we crease is $313,000 over last year. totaling $416,347 in general appro- are spending over 30 percent of the Finance committee member JoAnn priations. The SID funds the Down- town’s surplus for this year’s bud- Neylan was the sole dissenter. A final town Westfield Corporation and has get,” she said.