Tuesday, May 14, 2013
Extended hours will be offered by the municipal clerk of Bloomingdale.
Tuesday is the last day to register to vote in the June 4 primary election, where Tri-Boro municipal council races are the only local contests. The primary election race for two available Bloomingdale Council seats will be uncontested in June. The action will come for the November general election, when Democrats Dawn Hudson and Anthony Costa take on Republican incumbent Linda Shortman and her running mate, newcomer Albert Miller for two three-year seats. The Butler Council's two open seats also will not be contested for the June 4 primary. Republican incumbents Stephen Regis and Edwin Vath are running for re-election and have no GOP opposition. Democrat Linda Gilvey, also running unopposed in the primary, will face Regis and Vath in …
Monday, April 15, 2013
The Butler Borough Council meets Tuesday.
The Butler Borough Council will vote on whether to adopt the 2013 municipal budget at its meeting Tuesday. The budget was unanimously introduced on March 19 with a total tax levy of $10,492,539, just under the 2 percent state-mandated increase cap at 1.998 percent higher than last year's budget. If the budget passes, taxes on the average assessed home of $251,793 in the borough would increase by $45.33. Council President Edwin Vath said the budget also reflects a year-over-year maintenance of what the borough provides to taxpayers. "This budget reflects no loss of services to any of our residents," he said. The council will also vote on two possible ordinances, each appropriating $80,000 for sewer system and water main improvements. The …
Monday, March 25, 2013
Council introduces budget, discusses filling potholes.
The Butler Borough Council voted unanimously to introduce its 2013 municipal budget on March 19 as one council member said he is waiting to see how much money is available before being able to say what borough road projects will be completed this year. The introduced budget, as Council President Edwin Vath explained, totals $10,492,539 and came in just under the 2 percent state-mandated increase cap at 1.998 percent higher than last year's budget. The council's Finance Committee and CFO Jim Kozimor began drafting the 2013 municipal budget in January. Under the introduced budget, taxes on the average assessed home of $251,793 in the borough would increase by $45.33. Vath was proud to say that the introduced budget also reflects a year-over-…
Monday, March 18, 2013
Recognition of Warren Frerichs for his commitment to the Butler Planning Board also on meeting's agenda.
- GOVERNMENT
-
Monday, March 18
The Butler Council will continue discussion on plans for the borough's first "Butler Day" during its meeting on Tuesday night. Specifically, the council will discuss a request from organizer Shelli Taggart for vendors who wish to participate in the event, a community gathering with fireworks and activities, to have permit fees waived. Earlier in the meeting, the council will recognize Butler Planning Board Member Warren Frerichs for his years of service on the board. A public hearing will be held relating to vacating the public interest on Marion Avenue and the council will consider voting to oppose a state bill that would place the burden of proof on government employers in a situation where an employee has an injury or illness that is …
Friday, March 8, 2013
Sean McNear pointed loaded BB gun at five-year-old's face, authorities claim.
Butler Councilman Sean McNear was indicted on child endangerment charges Thursday after authorities said he pointed a loaded BB gun at and threatened to shoot his five-year-old son. McNear was officially indicted on charges of one count of second-degree endangering the welfare of a child; one count of second-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose; and one count of fourth-degree aggravated assault, according to a release prepared by Acting Morris County Prosecutor Fredric Knapp and Butler Police Chief Ed Card. McNear, 45, was arrested in November 2011 after an affidavit claimed the boy told authorities McNear had pointed the gun in his face in his bedroom two years prior and in 2011, choked and punched him in the face with a …
Thursday, February 21, 2013
Recreation Commission members presented concept for borough's first community pride event.
The Borough of Butler could join neighboring communities in offering a day of town pride should plans for the first ever Butler Day go through. Two members of the Butler Recreation Commission, Shelli Taggart and Robert Soules, approached the Butler Council Tuesday to talk about their preliminary plans for an event to be held on May 25 (rain date on May 26). Taggart explained that she envisions fireworks over one of the school fields with vendor booths, music, possibly rides and neighborly fun. "These were just ideas that were thrown out," Taggart said. Although without fireworks, Bloomingdale hosts its own Pride Day and Kinnelon has hosted K-Fest for the past two years. Some council members had concerns with the initial plans for Butler's …
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Road repairs list will be released after budget numbers are finalized.
Butler Borough department heads are hard at work drafting budget figures to feed into the 2013 municipal budget, according to Councilman Edwin Vath. Vath, chairman of the Butler Council's Finance Committee, spoke briefly about the budget process at the council's Jan. 15 meeting. He commended all of the borough's department heads, and in particular two supervisors in the Department of Public Works, for working on their own line items. "They're really making sure they're doing a diligent job and getting accurate numbers," he said. Vath said the borough, as a whole, did a good job in 2012 of curbing costs with limited expenses. As a result, based on preliminary information, Vath anticipated that the borough may be able to add funds to the …
Sunday, January 13, 2013
Borough to apply for Carey Avenue repairs through Community Development Block Grant program.
- GOVERNMENT
-
Sunday, January 13
Butler's Carey Avenue could undergo water main replacement as the borough is applying to fund the project through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. The Butler Council approved filing an application for the Carey Avenue improvements after Borough Administrator James Lampmann said the main has failed repeatedly over the past several years, according to Suburban Trends. The main, which not only serves residents but also the main firehouse, has had three breaks in five years. The council also considered submitting for the Carey Avenue water main replacement as part of last year's application for the CDBG program. Read the full story from Suburban Trends here.
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
Mayor promises borough can 'weather any storm.'
Butler's two re-elected councilmen were sworn in during Wednesday's reorganization meeting. After taking the Oath of Office, Councilman Robert Fox, who will be serving his sixth term, thanked borough voters for their confidence. "I've seen a lot of changes over the last 15 years and I've got to say, I think we have the best council," he said. Councilman Robert Meier, who was sworn in to his second three-year term, also thanked voters and noted the positive changes he has seen in the past several years, particularly to the Butler Electric Department of which he has been the council liaison to in the year past. "I am looking forward to serving again," he said. The council made several professional appointments and committee delegations at …
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
Officials voted unanimously in favor of first pay increase for governing body since 1991.
Butler Mayor Robert Alviene and the borough council members will receive a pay increase in 2013 for the first time since 1991. The council unanimously approved the increase (with the exception of Councilman Sean McNear who was absent) during the Dec. 4 meeting. According to Borough Administrator James Lampmann, each council member is currently paid $2,000 and will have their pay increased to $3,000. Alviene's pay is currently $2,500 and will be increased to $4,000, Lampmann said. When asked why the increase was approved now after so many years, Lampmann said "that's a decision that the council makes." Alviene said there was no particular reason that the council members felt the upcoming year was an appropriate time for a pay increase other…
Ken Montanye
4:42 pm on Friday, March 29, 2013
I understand they also get a pension. more ›