Dear Neighbors,

As promised in the last newsletter, this issue will provide an update on the property tax situation.  I have also included a few other items of interest including an update on the planned recreational facility.

Property Taxes Are Going Up:  If you have been reading any of the regional newspapers, property taxes are increasing and increasing significantly in almost every town in Burlington County.  Lumberton is no exception.  Our local property taxes will be increasing this year.  The property taxes we pay are comprised of four components:  (1)  Burlington County property tax, (2) Lumberton School District property tax, (3) Rancocas Valley Regional School District property tax, and (4) Lumberton Municipal Government property tax.   

The good news is that the county tax rate will likely remain the same.  The bad news is that the other three components are increasing.  In all, the Lumberton tax rate is likely  to increase by 24.1 cents per $100 of assessed value.  So if your home is assessed at the township average of $158,400, your property taxes will increase $381.74 per year.  Here is a breakdown by component from largest increase to smallest:

Lumberton Township School District:  The Lumberton Board of Education has approved a budget that will increase school taxes from $1.47 to $1.60 per $100 of assessed value.  The budget must be approved by the public as a ballot referendum at April 20th Board of Education Election.  The big drivers of this increase is student population growth.  Lumberton's Pre-K through 8th Grade population increased by over 100 students each of the last 3 years while state funding for the district has not kept pace with the growth.   Lumberton's funding from the state has been flat 2 of the last 3 years.  The budget does not increase or decrease staff nor the number of programs.

Rancocas Valley Regional School District:  The Rancocas Valley Regional School Board has approved a budget that will increase Lumberton's school taxes from about 39.7 to 45.9 cents per $100 of assessed value.  Rancocas Valley High School is under the same growth pressures as the Lumberton elementary schools and state aid that has not kept pace with the growth.  The Rancocas Valley School Board originally proposed a larger budget, but recently cut the proposed budget back by 2 cents per $100 of assessed value after receiving some pressure from taxpayers.  The revised budget reduces head count growth from 10 to 3 new employees and delays the installation of an all weather track.  This budget also must be approved by the public as a ballot referendum at the April 20th School Board Election.

Lumberton Township Municipal Government:  The Lumberton Township Committee approved a budget that will increase local property taxes by 4.9 cents per $100 of assessed value.  The principal reasons for this tax increase are the flat funding from the state, a steady reduction in the township's surplus funds over the past few years, less PILOT (Payment in Lieu of Taxes) revenue from various sources, increased insurance costs, and contractual pay raises for the township employees. 

Spring Cleaning:   This Spring, the township will be undertaking several small projects.  Here are a few of them:

• Around June, a left hand turn cycle will be added to the traffic light at Main Street and Landing for vehicles heading south on Main Street.  At rush hour, southbound traffic often gets backed up to the Village Green because there is no room to go around a vehicle trying to make a left turn onto Landing Street.
• This spring, the township plans to make improvements to Crispin Road to fix the pooling of water on the road which resulted in ice patches this past winter. 
• Also this spring, the township plans to remove seven trees off of Richmond Avenue to make way for the re-curbing and sidewalk repair project.

New Recreation Facility Update:  The township is pressing to have the first phase of the new recreation facility complete by the beginning of fall 2005.  The first phase will include three soccer or general purpose fields.  More soccer fields are considered a priority because of the limited number of fields available in town.  Many of the residents who live near the existing fields have expressed concerns with the increased frequency of use, noise in the neighborhood, and the heavy use of on street parking.  The new recreational facility will be located behind and adjacent to the municipal center on Municipal Drive.  

Environmental Friendly Lawns:   The Lumberton Open Space and Environmental Preservation Council will be presenting a free seminar on "How to Get a Great, Environmentally Friendly Lawn".  The seminar will be offered in conjunction with the Rutgers University Master Gardner Program.  The seminar will be held at the municipal center on Wednesday, April 7th from 7:30 - 9:00 PM.  

Farm Fair's Last Go Around in Lumberton:  The dates for the 2004 Burlington County Farm Fair have been tentatively set for July 21-24th.  This will be the last year that the Farm Fair will be held in Lumberton.  Next year, the location will move to a recently purchased tract of open space in Springfield. 

Thanks again for your continued support.

Sincerely,