Politics & Government

Mayor: Township May Consider Once-A-Week Garbage Pick-up in 'Non Summer' Months

Mayor James Barberio unveils $61.7 million municipal budget.

Mayor James Barberio outlined a $61.7 million preliminary budget at Tuesday night's council meeting, saying that the township may need to cut back to once-a-week garbage pick-up in the spring, fall and winter. 

He may also  consider privatizing sanitation workers or sharing services with other municipalities so Parsippany could earn a profit.

"We're going to do a study,'' said Barberio, who had raised the possibility that this year because of the tight budget.

Find out what's happening in Parsippanywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Barberio, who has also said , on Monday said he doesn't want to institute a hiring freeze of police since four officers have already retired and at least four are scheduled to retire at the end of the year.

If the police department, which presently has 98 officers, dips below 95, that would constitute "dangerously low'' levels in a township the size of Parsippany, said Barberio, who is presently negotiating a contract with both the police and the blue collar workers union, which includes DPW employees.

Find out what's happening in Parsippanywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The proposed budget increased 1.5 percent of last year's budget, which was $60. 8 million. If the preliminary  budget is approved, the tax levy would increase to $944,753, 2.3 percent higher than last year, resulting in a municipal tax bill increase of $59 annually and $4.92 a month.

Among the biggest cost drivers to the budget were health benefits, which increased $1.7 million,  and the police pension, which cost $637,000, he said.

"This is the first year that the township was subject to a 2 percent tax levy, with very few waivers,'' Barberio said. "This is an extremely difficult year to craft a budget. Revenues continue to decline while health insurance and pension costs continue to rise.''

At the same time, there was a 5 percent decrease in the rateable base, a trend Barberio is trying to reverse by actively seeking inviting businesses to move to Parsippany, he said. "The economic development and redevelopment opportunities will be diligently pursued to increase the township's rateable base.''

Upcoming budget hearings will be held on March 14 and March 18. The mayor will hold a town meeting on the budget on March 23 at 7 p.m.


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