The Barnegat Township Committee voted Monday to introduce a $2.1 million bond ordinance to fund the purchase of new vehicles, a road project, new computer servers and more – a complete bond list is included in .
It's the first bond for improvements directly benefitting the township since 2006, said Township Administrator David Breeden, and will allow Barnegat to make badly needed replacements in firefighting equipment, purchase a new ladder truck and update outdated technology, among other things.
Few challenged the necessity of the updates during the meeting's public session. But some say bonding all at once for a big bundle of improvements that everyone knew were needed isn't a wise solution – equipment and infrastructure should be updated bit by bit, as the budget allows, to avoid adding to the township's debt.
What do you think? Are these important updates? Is it necessary to bond for them? Tell us in the comments!
Some financing is foreseeable. How many of us buy a house for cash? But these purchases are being made by Barnegat township, a municipality that, between township and school budgets, spends and taxes us for tens of millions of dollars. It is questionable why we need to bond for police and other vehicles. A Ford Crown Victoria goes for under $30k when purchased via the state contract. Surely we can afford two or three of those without more long-term debt? More questions to follow . . .
Comparisons to other towns is not a focal point to me. The continuous political hijinx here puts the committee's credibility right up their with that of congress. Millions for "emergency" master plan updates and the like make you wonder who is asleep at the switch. Perhaps Mr. Cirulli should spend less time on the football field and more at his desk. After all, he is a "full time township employee," as per Mr. Lisella. As I said in another Patch post, this is the time of year the committee will do it's major spending/squandering. Plenty of time to bamboozle the public before the 2012 election. Welcome to Barneghetto.
DID WE EVER FIND THIS RIFLE? This incident was way to sketchy to sweep under the Barnegat Township rug.....
Once we get into the campaign, Mr. Cirulli's track record will be the subject of intense exposure and debate. I can virtually guarantee it. From his role in the flawed reassessment to his inability/refusal to honor and protect the liberties of all residents, it is all fair fodder for a person who is seeking reelection. It will all be documented fact. So even when the election-time only crowd takes to Patch, they will not be able to sweep away the misleadership that has been costing every resident and every business person plenty. Tally Ho!