Matawan disappointed with state aid figure Faced with higher taxes, officials highlight cost-saving measures BY KAREN E. BOWES Staff Writer MATAWAN - Faced with another major property tax increase, officials focused on the positive last week, highlighting ways the borough is working to cut back on costs. On Aug. 8, it was announced that the borough received only $100,000 of the requested $350,000 extraordinary state aid package. The lesser amount means the property tax rate will likely rise about 9 cents per $100 assessed value, according to Borough Administrator Fred Carr. A hearing on the matter is scheduled for Aug. 21. Mayor Mary Aufseeser expressed her disappointment, saying although she was grateful for the aid, it fell far short of her expectations. With taxes having just risen 14 cents last year, Aufseeser said, something must be done to counter the trend. She then asked that a special independent agent be hired to find ways to save on employee health care benefits. "We're looking to health care," Aufseeser said. "Our health care costs are out of control." Councilwoman Debra Buragina was also dismayed by the funding amount. "I think it's the state saying, we'll help you out now, but pretty soon, you're going to be on your own," Buragina said. "They're basically telling every town, you're done." Borough Attorney Pasquale Menna said the borough is lucky to receive any aid at all, since only three towns in the whole county - Matawan, Keyport and Shrewsbury Township - received the special aid. Menna extended congratulations to Chief Financial Officer/ Treasurer Monica Antista for her work in requesting the funds. Councilwoman Meghan Mullaney also commented about the need to save money, noting a new borough fuel-saving program has saved Matawan "thousands." Mullaney also reported that the state currently has a surplus of $20 million earmarked for Green Acres grants. In order to take advantage of this situation, Mullaney asked that a new special committee be formed. Buragina was particularly agreeable to this notion, asking that in addition to a new committee, an independent grant writer be hired. "I think we should get proactive on this because there's a lot of money out there," Buragina said. During the course of the discussion, Mullaney asked if Borough Administrator Fred Carr had any grant-writing experience. Carr said he did, but that the borough really needed to have a plan in place before asking the state for money. "You can't go to Green Acres and say, I'd like to have some money, and just give me some money and we'll figure it out," Carr said. Councilman Michael Cannon perhaps added the most to the discussion, having come prepared with a list of ways the borough is working to cut costs. Cannon said he made the list in response to a resident's question during a previous meeting. Cannon noted, among other items, that in 2006, the town bonded $1.2 million for various road improvement projects. The work wound up costing less, he explained, at about $770,000, so the leftover debt was applied towards the 2007 road improvement program. In addition, three full-time borough jobs will be replaced with several part-time positions, Cannon said. And although salaries for these workers add up to roughly the same amount as full-timers, the borough will save approximately $15,000 on benefits. Legal fees are also lower, Cannon continued, and there's the potential to save between $35,000-$50,000 by switching banks, a decision that has not yet been finalized. Later in the meeting, Councilman Paul Buccellato also mentioned a cost-saving strategy, announcing an anonymous supplier has donated materials to repair the roof on the Clinton Street facility, a borough-owned building used for after-school programs and children's activities. Roofing contractor the Barrett Company, Millington, has agreed to install the materials free of charge, according to Buccellato.