TOWNSHIP OF WASHINGTON—Mayor Peter Calamari told the three-member council majority hoping to reduce the 2024 municipal budget by a 10% that only slightly over $800,000 was not employee-related or mandatory financial obligations in last year’s $15.8 million municipal budget.
The three newly elected Independent members, Council president Michael DeSena, Michael Ullman, and Steven Cascio, returning as council vice president, had pledged during their campaign to reduce “discretionary” spending in the 2024 town budget by 10%.
However, Calamari contended that was not possible as only about 5%, or $822,000, was not a required payment or statutory financial obligation.
Calamari told council at the Jan. 15 meeting that the 2023 budget appropriated $6 million for employee salaries and benefits and $9 million for statutory financial obligations, leaving only about $822,000 out of last year’s $15.8 million budget for possible trimming.
A preliminary 2024 budget has not yet been introduced by the administration, which should occur in February.
Calamari spelled out prior statutory liabilities, including: liability insurance, $225,000; workers’ compensation, $219,000; health, dental, life and accident insurance, slightly over $1 million; fire hydrant service, $149,000; Length of Service Awards Program (LOSAP), $95,000; recycling fees, $145,000; leaf disposal fees, $56,000; public library contribution, $697,000; sanitary sewers, $900,000; pension obligations, $1,3 million; FICA and Medicare, $264,000; debt service on bonds principal, $995,000; and interest on debt service, $618,000, plus others he did not specify.
He said he totaled all the annual financial liabilities to be $9 million, which when added to $6 million in employee salaries and benefits, totals $15 million.
Calamari began the budget discussion by asking the majority to talk about their plan to cut this year’s budget by 10% to help him and administrator Mark DiCarlo “try to align” with their thinking on what could be cut.
Councilwoman Daisy Velez said she wanted to hear it, noting “It might be beneficial to our residents to hear what’s coming so we can all be aware.”
Next: Cascio, Ullman talk cuts