Letter to the Editor (waiting to be published): I want to add my personal viewpoint to the September 30; South Jersey Times

article Washington Township Council rejects 3.2 million bond for road improvements, other projects and explain what I think is a critical situation regarding the Washington Township Capital Program. After many years of prior administrations dismissing the needs of our road repairs, this governing body in 2012 voted and supported the fixing of the Township roads that are in dire need. When I first got in office, I spoke with the director of public works and with our Township engineers about this program that was abandoned for a long time, and asked them for their opinion on what can be done to resurrect it. Although their opinions made sense to me, at the time I had no support from other elected officials. When Mayor Wallace came up with the idea, I strongly supported it. Although we were at the 11th hour and did not have the luxury to put a plan in place, it does not mean that we cant do that now. My NO vote at the September 25th Council meeting, was not towards the roads program. It has to do with the lack of planning for this project. There is a need to put a plan together, and it must be done in a Democratic and prudent way. Without knowing what impact this bond will have on the 2014 budget, it would be irresponsible on my part to just say YES. Therefore, budget sessions, as I recommend to the Business Administrator some time ago should start ASAP. In order to set a plan and a safety net to re-establish the Capital Program, I am making the following suggesting to the Mayor, and I will work with the administration in a non-partisan way to move forward: 1) A Capital Improvement line item should be added to the budget. This line item will be funded by a percentage of the tax levy currently collected, along with loans pertaining to capital improvements. This will give the Township a way to repay the debt and have a balance in the line item to be used for future needs without borrowing the money. Not to be confused with an additional tax. 2) Eliminate from the proposed bond the borrowing for resurfacing of the Washington Lake Park tennis court and hockey rinks, and the demolishment of a Township owned building at 220 Fish Pond Road; which amounts to a total of $195,000.00. These are not considered road improvements, and they should not be included in the proposal. 3) All future sale proceeds from capital items including and not limited to real estate must go to this line item, and not to be used for any other purpose. Revenue from capital sales should be reinvested in capital improvements. 4) Restore all services recently eliminated that residents are already paying for. Such as cutting the grass in various parcels of the Township that are referred to as no mow zone. At least until Council has a chance to vote on an ordinance. Again lets do this in a Democratic way. The Mayor received support from me in 2012, now I am asking for her support so that we can put a plan in place and move forward.