MICKLETON — The East Greenwich Township Committee held a public hearing regarding their 2017 municipal budget at their meeting on April 25, but the Committee was unable to adopt the budget because the state was still reviewing it and had not returned the measure.
East Greenwich is looking at their second straight year with a zero percent tax increase. The community first introduced their budget on March 20.
“Balancing our budget and continuing to grow our surplus is an extreme accomplishment, and has been a great success story,” commented Mayor Dale Archer. East Greenwich’s surplus had fallen below $16,000 in 2014, but is expected to reach an estimated $1.5 million this year.
The mayor also expressed pride in continuing to rebuild the township’s fire and police departments. Archer mentioned that a new $100,000 ladder truck and two new police cars had been included in this year’s budget, along with an increase in benefits for the community’s public employees.
In resolutions, the Committee authorized a bid for a Neptune T-10 water meter. Archer explained that the newer meters with better technology would enable East Greenwich to get a better reading on water usage.
Elsewhere, the Committee approved a resolution appointing Thomas Cox, Michael Jones and Vincent Gregorio to East Greenwich’s Community Emergency Response Team. Also, they accepted the resignation of Special Law Enforcement Officer Randy Jenkins, and authorized the East Greenwich Police Department to advertise for one full time officer position.
Deputy Mayor Jim Philbin said that the move would raise the community’s roster of full time officers to 16.
Earlier in the meeting, the Committee announced a proclamation celebrating April 28 as Arbor Day. “Trees increase property values for Township properties,” Archer noted. “They also promote the well-being of future East Greenwich generations.”
by Robert Holt
