Glenn Nanavaty, the Borough’s auditor, visited the Board of Burgesses at its Tuesday, January 14 regular meeting to discuss the 2023-2024 fiscal year. In his 28-page report, Nanavaty went through the Borough’s revenue, allocations, taxes, and more for the past three years, comparing each year to each other.

He explained the Borough’s total revenue for 2024 was $366,180, and the total expenses were $368,064. He said, “There was a small loss of $1,884. The expenses are slightly higher than the previous year mainly because of the ARPA expenses. You spent about $54,000 last year and about $111,000 this year.”

He continued, “The next section…talks about your fund balance. Your total fund balance went from $367,552, take away that $1,884 of the deficit of a loss for the year, so your fund balance ended at $365,668.”

Nanavaty explained that the burgesses implemented a very good fund balance policy, saying, “You have committed a general fund balance and then you assigned fund balance, some for sidewalks, tree maintenance, and historic district … You had in the fund balance policies, you said that your goal was to keep about 150% of the current year’s budget in fund balance. This number, $174,000 is about 70% of the current budget year … So you’re at 70 because you’re approximately about half of that 150% goal. Still, though, very healthy.”

Following last meeting’s news about Paula Brinkman, the treasurer, not seeking re-election, and Ann Scaia, the clerk, wanting to combine the positions, Nanavaty suggested having another person look over Scaia’s shoulder. He explained that the board would be losing a “checks and balance” aspect with the combined position, but there should be no issues moving forward in this hybrid role.

Warden’s Report

Jay Maher, the Warden of the Borough, discussed a few topics during his report that were ultimately tabled. The first discussion regarded the sign that was cut down and stolen from Taunton Lake Road and Castle Hill Road back in August. The burgesses discussed the possibility of replacing what remains of the wooden post with a steel post, but Maher explained it comes with an $800 upcharge.

The burgesses do not know where they would pull the $2,974 from for the replacement with a steel post. Burgess Jim Gaston suggested going through insurance and submitting a claim. He reminded the burgesses this was an act of vandalism, and “that’s what insurance is for.”

The next topic of discussion was the two unnamed brooks in the Borough, one of which runs through Ram Pasture. Burgess Maureen Crick Owen explained she wants the Newtown Village Cemetery Association to have an input on the naming.

Charles Zukowski, the chair of the Bike & Trail Committee, explained that on the DEEP map the brook through Ram Pasture is titled “Country Club Brook,” but on the state DOT map, it is listed as “Unnamed Brook.” Gaston suggested reaching out to the public, but the topic was tabled.

Maher also made a motion to appoint two individuals to the Water and Sewer Authority, Carl Zencey and Alan Shepard. The two were appointed and the motion passed unanimously. He also mentioned that Jared Modzelewski will not be seeking re-election, and Maher has asked Peter Schwarz if he would be interested in joining the Board of Burgesses. Schwarz indicated he would, and Maher informed the crowd that elections will be in May.

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Reporter Sam Cross can be reached at sam@thebee.com.