A loss of almost $900,000 in revenue from the state’s red light camera pilot program is among the biggest hits to the 2015 municipal budget, which projects a 3.7-percent tax hike.
Continue reading Average municipal tax hike projected at $120
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Public hearing on budget slated for Monday
The City Council will hold a public hearing on the 2014 municipal budget during its meeting on Monday before giving final approval on the $51.8-million spending plan. The governing body is also scheduled to approve the Rahway Arts District‘s annual $130,000 budget, derived from the Special Improvement District (SID) tax.
The 2014 budget, introduced by City Council at its March 10 meeting, projects an increase of $43 in municipal property taxes on the average property, assessed at $133,000.
Red light cameras still capturing violations
The state’s suspension of the red light camera system isn’t stopping Rahway from capturing violators because the city’s two cameras had been in compliance, according to Police Chief John Rodger. State Department of Transportation officials said 63 of the 85 cameras in the state had not been tested to check that yellow lights were timed correctly (one second for every 10 miles per hour), according to this report from nj.com last month.
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| St. Georges Ave at Maple Ave |
Rodger said the state’s blanket suspension of the red light program doesn’t affect Rahway because the timing of the city’s existing cameras (at Routes 1/9 at East Milton Avenue and St. Georges Avenue at Maple Avenue) were certified. Violations are still being captured — as they are in other towns that are in compliance — and once the suspension is lifted, violations will be issued. Rodger said the department has 90 days to issue a violation and expects the statewide suspension to be lifted shortly. He estimated about 1,000 violations monthly at Rahway’s two intersections.
Meanwhile, two more cameras are set to be installed later this summer, at Inman and St. Georges Avenues and Routes 1/9 and East Grand Avenue. After a 30-day test and evaluation period, Rodger expects they could be operational by sometime in September.
The $55 fine is split between Union County and Rahway, which receives another $18.50 for court fees (for a total $46). An additional $55 goes to the State Highway Trust Fund, according to Rodger, and the Safe Corridor violation (along Routes 1&9) is $140.