Hon. Nicholas Scutari Hon. Jerry Green Hon. Linda Stender Dear Legislative Delegation, As our elected representatives we felt it imperative to set forth our grave concerns over the Governor's proposed state budget. While Winfield Township is the smallest community in your district, the adverse impact of the budget proposed, to us may be the most grievous. We are asking for a direct meeting with you as our legislative delegation to articulate directly our concerns. We have proposed a meeting on Tuesday, April 1, 2008, 7:00pm at the Winfield Municipal Building, 12 Gulfstream Avenue, with the leaders of the Township committee and Mutual Housing Corporation and yourself. In advance of the meeting the following background is provided: With the beginning of World War II citizens working at the shipyards building the battleships for the war effort decided that their location in Union County had become a community. As such they began the legal process necessary to formulate Winfield Township. By December 22, 1941 the Winfield Mutual Housing Corporation was formed. A pertinent part of the certificate of incorporation includes:
The act envisions the dissolution of the entity (this would preclude any form of merger) by requiring the return of the remaining assets to the Federal Works Administrators or his successor. Obviously in a small community such as Winfield, the desire to produce an economical government doesn't need the prodding of Trenton officials. We share the concern of other communities that discrimination in aid based on population is not an appropriate use of discretion. However, we also need to bring forth to our elected officials the unique impediments and unfair impact the proposed budget would have on our Municipality. It is our belief that our elected officials will appreciate our concerns and reflect them in your final voting on budget issues. To that end we present the following for your consideration: the Township has maximized efforts at sharing of services; currently the Township shares the following services: 911 Dispatch services & General Dispatch Midnight -8:00AM -
Twp. of Cranford It is important to note, that the Township is staffed full-time by the Municipal Clerk, CFO, and Public Health Nurse. The Clerk & CFO also serve as the registrar and deputy registrar, violations clerks, emergency dispatchers, as well as any other job that the needs to be done including but not limited to, sidewalk shovelers as there is no Department of Public Works. Certain recommended efforts at shared services could actually increase the tax burden. Until 1978 police services were provided by a wholly part-time volunteer department. Since the Superior court of NJ ordered the Township to implement a paid full-time department; it has grown from the four officers (including a working Chief) to the current nine (9) members. Assuming the same level of coverage and corresponding latest contract salary figures, the estimated cost for an agreement with the City of Linden is $653,600 and the cost for the Twp. of Cranford is $611,200; this does not include the cost of health benefits or employers share of P.F.R.S.. The Township's 2008 appropriation for police services, Salary & Wages and Other Expenses, is $686,300. Fully understanding these are only estimates and there are many variables; the point is that consolidating this service may very well not realize a cost savings that may seem obvious at first glance. The municipal court is an area that also requires review, as they could be a viable shared service. However, any savings realized may now be impacted by the resulting over-time for police officers. Clearly, this requires further investigation. The fire and first aid services would be another area to look at. The cost to the municipality now is approximately $30,000 as the Fire Department and First Aid Squad are volunteer associations. How does one even begin to calculate a cost to outsource this service? The current proposed cut in aid would mean a $600.00 average household increase to citizens, when adjusting for the 2008 Municipal and School Budgets. Approximately 40% of Winfield's population consists of senior citizens. Many of these residents have lived in the community for over 50 years and are on limited fixed incomes. Some only receive Social Security benefits and an increase of this magnitude will create severe hardships, not to mention the single parent families. The Structure of the Winfield Mutual Housing Corporations would preclude Merger. Winfield is the only municipality in the State of New Jersey that is privately owned; created by an Act of Congress. The development was not originally intended to be a separate municipality, rather part of Linden, Cranford or Clark. These communities were concerned about the influx of 700 new families and the impact it would have on their infrastructure. So the State created Winfield in August of 1941. In the early 1950's, the residents formed a not for profit corporation and purchased the land and buildings from the federal government. This community was literally built on blood, sweat and tears. The first families moved in with no water, mud roads and one electrical supply for the entire town. From those humble beginnings Winfield has grown and become the only municipality in the State, possibly the Nation, which always has a 100% tax collection rate. This is a blue-collar community with the belief to pay as we go. There are no industry or commercial properties. The 1,487 residents of Winfield are the only taxpayers and would be burdened with the entire increase. More importantly, Winfield is distinguishable from all other small communities because we do not have the option to merge with a surrounding municipality. The formulating documents that created the Township of Winfield and the Winfield Mutual Housing Corporation make it impossible to dissolve and merge with a larger community. When Winfield was created under the Lanham Act of Congress and by the State of New Jersey, the government entities drafted the originating documents in such a way that the Township of Winfield and the Winfield Mutual Housing Corporation would exist in perpetuity to avoid any potential graft or manipulation. Therefore, the sharing of services with surrounding communities is Winfield's only option. Although small in size and population, our residents are the first to lend a hand. From that terrible day in September six years ago, when we deployed an ambulance and fire truck with a full crew; Hurricane Andrew, when residents donated enough supplies to fill a UPS truck; to the tragedy of Katrina, when we opened our hearts and arms to a displaced family of survivors; or simply holding blood drives for one of our own. Winfield is a family, complete with feuds, loyalty, pride, and community spirit. We have invited you as our elected officials to a meeting on Tuesday, April 1, 2008, 7:00 pm at the Winfield Municipal Building to discuss the contents of this letter and of course the need for your representation. Because of the serious nature of the impact it is our request for a direct meeting as opposed to a meeting with aides. We will reach out to you to confirm the meeting or establish an appropriate alternative date. S. George Lowrey, Mayor
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