Municipal tax rate will not rise in Aberdeen BY KAREN E. BOWES Staff Writer "These efforts go back 10 to 12 years. We've been building up to this point. We've had other years when we've had no increases." - David Sobel Mayor ABERDEEN - Unlike some of their unhappy neighbors in the area, the residents of Aberdeen can expect no new municipal property tax increases this year. How did they do it? "Well, it didn't happen overnight," Mayor David Sobel said on Monday. "These efforts go back 10 to 12 years. We've been building up to this point. We've had other years when we've had no increases." The Township Council introduced its approximately $14 million municipal budget on March 21. A public hearing on the plan is scheduled for Thursday, April 19. According to Sobel, even during years when Aberdeen did have an increase, they have always been low. "Very modest," Sobel said, "especially in comparison to surrounding communities. It may sound like a cliché, but it's good sound fiscal management." And although the tax rate is not expected to budge, the township will still be able to embark on some new capital projects in 2007. "We've always had a pretty aggressive road program in terms of the number of roads and money we spent, but this year we've doubled our efforts," Sobel said. "A lot more roads than we've ever done before in one year. And we will turn our attention to recreation, upgrading parks and looking into acquisition of land for recreation." Sobel is also excited about the prospect of a new senior citizen housing development. "We're very close to signing an agreement with a company to develop senior citizen housing at the old South River Metals site," Sobel said. "Those are really the highlights." Councilman Nicholas Minutolo said the town was able to keep the tax rate flat due to a 6 percent increase in miscellaneous revenues, including collecting fees. Fees are becoming easier to pay, he said, thanks in part to the township now accepting credit cards for court fines and fees. Councilman Vincent Vinci said that recreational facilities will not suffer. Vinci named improvements to Fireman's Field and more parking spots as one major project currently in the works. "Other fields and basketball courts will also be improved," Vinci said in a press release. Councilman Joseph Raymond said he hopes to include more shared services as a way to keep costs down in the future. The municipal budget accounts for only a portion of a taxpayer's bill. Other assessments include school district taxes, county taxes and other fees.