Evesham Township Council made the unanimous decision to not introduce the 2013 municipal budget at a recent meeting.
According to Mayor Randy Brown, the township and taxpayers will not be penalized because of the action.
“I can’t say the taxpayers of Evesham should have to pay the taxes of other entities,” Brown said.
Brown is determined to push state Senate bill 1896 through before the budget is due to the state.
Township manager Bill Cromie said in March that the bill would allow schools and other entities to create a reserve for tax appeals, removing the financial burden from the township, where the financial burden is originating.
“The council in Teaneck and other councils want this bill,” Brown said. “We want other entities to have to pay their rightful share. It’s getting bigger and bigger.”
The preliminary budget was introduced in March with a $59.65 per year increase for the average assessed home of $271,200.
The tax levy increase correlates to the township’s responsibility to pay more than $1.5 million in tax appeals. The township receives 15 percent of property tax dollars, but is required to pay 100 percent of the tax appeals, according to Cromie.
The proposed budget of $32.8 million indicates a spending decrease of $26,571 from 2012.
The adoption of the temporary budget was tabled as a result.
Budget considerations will be revisited at the next council meeting on April 23.
Johnston Recreation Complex Plans
The new baseball and softball complex will be located next to the municipal building.
Trevor Taylor of CMA Associates presented the new recreational complex details.
The plan has been in the works with the Marlton Recreation Council, an advisory committee, and township council for about nine months.
The complex will extend from the border along the municipal parking lot to Tuckerton Road.
According to Taylor, the proposed site will be the home of four 200 foot softball and Little League turf and clay fields with portable pitching mounds, a decision driven by drainage issues at other fields in the township and ease of maintenance.
The fields will host softball teams for playersranging from 5 to 18 years old and baseball teams for players ranging from 5 to 12 years old with a half-mile walking trail along the perimeter of the complex.
Additionally, a path will connect the Memorial Complex to the new complex from New Road.
Parking spaces were taken into consideration and will be included in the construction of the property.
A 30 by 30 foot concession stand and restroom will be constructed at the facility as well.
According to Taylor, storage will be included in the stand, though final details are not yet finalized.
Proposed smoking ban
Township council is looking into amending an ordinance regarding parks.
According to Cromie, it would ban smoking in recreational complexes and parks in the township. Cherry Hill Township currently has a similar ordinance in place.
The next council meeting is scheduled for April 23 at 6:30 p.m. at the municipal building, 984 Tuckerton Road.
