February 24, 2008
Letter to the editor:
As reported by the Star Ledger, Sparta's average property taxes have gone up over 47% since the year 2000. The average house is currently paying $8,704 a year. Of course, in 2000 we didn't have the new $5.2 (or is that $6.5?) million Municipal Building, or the new $3.3 million firehouse (which we paid for, but as citizens, cannot rent the great room for parties); nor did we own the ($2.5 million) quarry. Although we think the $73 million price tag is outrageous, at least we had a proper vote on the Sparta High School renovations--which we have yet to pay for!
Councilman Goldberg's platform when running for office was that "ANY capital expenditure costing in excess of $1 million (such as our $4.5 million garbage proposal) should be decided by the citizens through a referendum." Why, then, did he vote to accept the garbage ordinance, after hearing hours of public outcry? All we wanted was what he told us he wanted, too! We also wonder whatever happened to the $4 million budget surplus and reserve that Mr. Goldberg campaigned to be able to use to lower the budget, and "provide taxpayers with a real municipal tax break?" Where did that money go? Mr. Goldberg told us that at the top of his list of things he wanted for Sparta was a second supermarket. Perhaps I've misunderstood, but I thought the sewers had to be put in on the 517 Bypass before any development could take place there. As far as I can see, there's been no progress on that front for two years now.
In the Budget Message of April 23, 2007, we noted the year's budget for the Health Department--for three months only--represents a reduction of $422,300 from our overall yearly budget. And yet, Mr. Goldberg (as reported in the June 28, 2007 NJ Herald) has informed us that "...the anticipated surplus had disappeared!" The then Mayor Goldberg had asked for the ability to opt-out of the county-wide health department if it didn't work out very well--meaning cost effective? Deputy Mayor Spekhardt suggested he'd like to see an 18 month trial period. Was an opt-out clause actually included in that transaction?
Another great idea was Mr. Goldberg's suggestion that ME3TV.com should carry live streamed video of township meetings on the internet. Then, we would ALL be able to know what's going on at our Municipal Building--especially since it cannot seat as many Sparta residents as the old building did! Great planning, there!! Now--where can I find that streaming video?
Speaking of the new Municipal Building--does anyone else feel put off by the fact that we have to use the back service door to get in, and that we--the owners--are unable to access the front door of our brand-new $5 (or $6.5) million edifice? The only parking on the front entrance level is "Employee Parking Only." Why must we pay yet another $169,000 for lighting, repaving the parking lot, and a staircase from the parking level? Shouldn't that have been included in the original bid, and cost of erecting the building in the first place? Dare we ask exactly how much will we end up paying for some evergreens and a row of petunias lining the front walkway?
Mr. Goldberg, we voted you in because we felt that your campaign stood for fiscal conservation and accountability. We believed you. We feel betrayed...
