Sussex voters to determine financial future

The Sussex Borough Council leadership has increased the budget by 8.4 percent and increased spending on the water and sewer budget by $441,110 or 21.75% with plans for more increases. Municipal Auditor Tom Ferry is quoted saying the bulk of the increase in the municipal side of the budget is due to the expansion of the road department and the hiring of a grant writer for $36,000 per year. No grants have been found to date.

While on the council, Frank Dykstra and I planned and implemented repairs to the two water towers and sewer system, known as the I & I Project. The I & I Project proved to be self-funding by reducing flows of rain and ground water to the treatment plant lowering our costs to SCMUA by more than $50,000 yearly. We funded both projects with a combination of low-cost loans, no-cost loans, and a $384,000 grant from the USDA. Knowing there was more work to be done on the utilities, we put in effect cost savings measures by bidding out electric generation, obtaining a grant from the State of NJ for an energy audit, and carrying out those recommendations. Both of those grants were attained without wasting $36,000 a year on a grant writer. We also put in place many shared service agreements. The DPW agreement generated the largest single cost savings.

Sussex Borough was once an affordable place to live, but with this year s increases in taxes and utility rates, Sussex has become unaffordable for the average resident. The two incumbents running for re-election have supported, and are being supported by Liberal Democrats of Sussex County. They have taken on the Democratic policies of throwing money at the issues. With municipal taxes up 8.4 percent and spending up 21.75 percent. Sussex Borough cannot afford the tax and spend agenda of Liberals Masson and Stendor.

Sussex Borough Republicans need experienced, proven leaders that can solve problems cost effectively, and efficiently. Those leaders are Frank Dykstra and Ed Meyer.

Ed Meyer
Sussex Borough