Ms. Eisen, as a resident of Green Brook I would like to thank you for your efforts. I mean that. I have in the past questioned purchases of these vehicles and the necessity as well. It is also interesting to note the school bus purchases taking place this year and in years to come to keep that fleet current. It makes sense for safety reasons and maintenance reasons, still there may be better ways to deal with it.

Hope to see you at the next meeting. Unfortunately, I have missed those that you attended. I am glad you are voicing your concerns though.

The question is why did the police chief need a new car to replace his 3 year old Durango. His mileage is his 75 mile round trip from his town to Green Brook and to his other job. He should not have a car for personal use nevermind a $40,000 one with chrome wheels whiich will have too much mileage to actually be used for patrol. Of course the town council did nto address that part of the question.

Edward, I agree that none of these vehicles should be used for personal use. If they are, we the taxpayers should be reimbursed for all personal usage. That goes for all vehicles.

I wish you were at the meeting when the purchase of this and other vehicles were discussed. If enough people question and oppose such purchases, maybe they wouldn't happen or at least maybe they could be put off until a better time to spend. To complain about it after the fact doesn't do much.

I also agree and wonder why we must purchase the newest, best and shiniest vehicles.

Diane, I appreciate what you are saying. Truly, I do. If you have ever attended one of the budget meetings. It is confusing to follow at best. I can say in the past, the purchase of new vehicles has been discussed as both grant and budgetary items. I also can tell you, I question just about every expense. From all the new police cars, when we have cars sitting in the lots. To the new backhoe we are purchasing. To the new fire chiefs truck. It is hard to argue with answers given when safety is involved.

I am as frustrated as you are.

I plan to question the council about the police chief and personal usage of a town vehicle. Gas, insurance, wear and tear, on our dime for personal use does not sit well with me. I need to know the details of this.

I see no end to it. We will soon be purchasing a new ambulance, which is needed and required by state code to meet certain standards. As I mentioned above, although from the school budget, we are purchasing two new school buses this year, with more to be purchased in following years. There is no end to it. It is expensive.

Unfortunately, our Board of Ed meetings and Town Council meetings are now running on the same evenings again. I am not sure which meeting I plan to attend on October 15. A great deal of our money is spent and I'd like to see solutions to lessen this shopping spree.

I can not express to you enough how happy I am to have another voice questioning. Thank you.

Be sure to double check on the School Board meeting - I think I read something about the 15th being a workshop meeting instead of a business meeting. I hope I will see you at the Town Council meeting. The School Board created a computer-generated bus route for the kids which has some of them transported for 45+ minutes when they live close to the school. There is a lot of wear and tear on the busses - I'm sure you read about it recently. This is the sort of thing that, if avoided, would add to the life of the vehicle and benefit all of us. But the worst of it is the wear and tear on the children who have to make that trip twice daily. At this point, since there is no competition in the School Board election this year I would like to get some answers at Town Council (and now I'm hearing about more excessive expenses!) where we have a chance to make some changes on Election Day.

Diane, I appreciate the heads up but that was actually the last meeting. I know because I arrived at 7:00 pm and was told it was over by someone who was leaving. Also, just because there is no competitive election at the school board does not mean they are not spending our tax dollars as they see fit. It is unfortunate these meetings take place on the same evenings.

Green Brook Township meeting 10/15/2012 at 7 PM.
Property Taxes questions.
PS.
Remenber residents it is Election year,maybe time for a change

Town Council meetings start at 7:30 pm.

Board of Ed meetings start at 7:00 pm.

Sometimes change is good, sometimes not so much. I think it is important if you plan to go and ask questions, to not have a predetermined thought. Listen carefully to what is said, question what you need to and learn from it all.

I am glad there are so many interested in this now and are willing to go the extra mile and attend the meeting. I am not so sure what anyone plans to accomplish exactly at this point. It is good to voice your concerns, but the budget is set.

I would recommend that you look over your tax bills from 2010 to 2012. It might help in the conversation you plan a bit.

It's funny that I alone have been fighting for lower property taxes for some time now. It's good to hear concern. I hope it is legitimate concern and not just political antics. It is an extremely important area and I would hate to see valid argument lost in politics.

2010 tax bill $ 6,816.81 assessed valuation $317,800.00
2011 tax bill $6,164.38 assessed valuation $277,800.00 -40,000.00 tax -652,43
2012 tax bill $6,575.53 assessed valuatio $277,800.00 tax + 411,15