The municipality of Maplewood conducted its first budget workshop for the 2024 municipal budget, where Mayor Nancy Adams underscored the township’s positive financial outlook with miscellaneous revenues rebounding to pre-pandemic levels. Despite an increase in debt service due to the library renovation, grant payments are expected to alleviate financial pressures. Capital projects emerged as a significant theme for the upcoming budget, with Mayor Adams stating that salary and revenue discussions would be deferred to a later workshop. The CFO, Joe, added that the township’s financial health is the strongest it’s been since 2018.

The workshop brought to light a notable $600,000 deficit in the budget, prompting council members to vigorously debate revenue streams and the utilization of American Rescue Plan money. The urgency to encumber or spend $1.85 million by the year’s end was a focal point. The debate extended to the staffing for the municipal pool, where concerns over potential overstaffing and the financial ramifications of opening the pool later in the season were raised. The impact of reducing user fees on the budget was also a central concern, with a call for an audit of staffing levels at the pool.

Further financial scrutiny fell on the pool’s debt service, with a combined $2.9 million in bonds for a new filtration system and pool resurfacing. Council members engaged in a weighty discussion on whether these expenses should be accounted for in the pool’s budget or within the general budget. This led to broader discussions on the pool’s financial management and the need to reevaluate expenses and staffing.

Beyond financial discussions, the Department of Community Services director, Melissa Manuso, outlined the department’s mission and achievements, including successful community events and the launch of Studio Bergdorf for arts and culture activities. She discussed the 2024 goals, like offering new camps and workshops, and expanding current programming. Deputy Mayor Dean Dafis and Manuso conversed about the long-range planning for art spaces like the Bergdorf theater, emphasizing the need for a facility utilization plan to nurture the growing arts and culture activities.

The council also focused on the need to develop a utilization plan for community spaces and a planning calendar for events to prevent overburdening facilities. They discussed affordable camp options, program supplies, and custodial services, with particular attention to the impact of minimum wage increases on seasonal staff salaries.

The Department of Public Works was commended for their successes, including the transition to a dual-stream recycling system, improvements to infrastructure, and a robust tree planting program. The synergy between the Department of Public Works and Engineering was praised, with both departments working cooperatively to enhance efficiency and reduce costs.

Road maintenance and traffic calming projects from the previous year were highlighted, with over 2,000 potholes filled and over 2,000 miles of road swept. The council expressed support for the transition to electric vehicles, acknowledging a grant for three electric Jitney buses, and discussed further efforts to improve pedestrian connectivity.

Discussions extended to the $100,000 allocated for sidewalk repairs on the Street Aries, with council members debating the necessity and life expectancy of the platforms and barriers, seeking more cost-effective solutions. The potential increase in sewer maintenance costs was also broached, with suggestions to raise the sewer fee to cover some of the costs.

The Engineering Department presented its accomplishments and goals, focusing on reducing capital costs and continuing infrastructure improvements using ARP funding. Council members debated the priority of equipment requests totaling over $1 million, with a suggestion to defer some items if necessary.

The Clerk’s Office discussed its achievements, such as the successful implementation of hybrid meetings and the goals for continued online services and document scanning. The council deliberated on funding for environmental improvements, safe routes to schools, and air conditioning for the meeting room, and engaged in discussions on the need for dredging the east branch of the Rawley River.

Council members also discussed the Safety Committee’s involvement in organizations to advocate for Maplewood’s ideals, the addition of a full-time public information officer, and the decrease in the Professional Services line due to the completion of a compensation study. The Township attorney’s revised payment structure and the budget for the affordable housing attorney were also topics of conversation.