PINKOWITZ: Yes vote critical on Tuesday
On Tuesday, December 14, Woodbridge voters will be asked to invest in critical infrastructure for our schools as voters can fund new roofs for all 22 district schools as well as install solar panels in 21 schools. The Board of Education has explained the need for new roofs and why they want to install solar panels. There is support from other citizens and Mayor McCormac stated that he believes the Board’s cost projections are too conservative and that this bond referendum may cost the taxpayers nothing.
Regardless of whose cost estimates are correct, the bottom line here is that keeping working roofs on our schools is a necessity, not a luxury. We can install new roofs now and have any necessary repairs covered by warranty, or we can delay and repair them as needed through the regular school budget. By voting for the expenditures now, the State has agreed to to a grant of approximately $9 million, which will be lost should the referendum fail. Adding solar panels to the mix reduces the potential long-term cost to the taxpayers significantly through energy savings and Solar Renewable Energy Credits.
Whether the primary reason you vote in school elections is to preserve vital school programs or to keep property taxes as low as possible while preserving your property values, you have only one choice in this election. Keeping roofs in adequate repair is a requirement, not a choice. Voting “Yes” on this bond referendum will reduce these required roof expenditures far more than continuing to pay these expenses through the regular budget process.
When the polls are open from 2 – 9 p.m. on Tuesday, I urge all voters to vote “Yes” in support of the bond referendum.
EDITOR'S NOTE: David Pinkowitz is a resident of Iselin.
Ron 8:04 pm on December 13, 2010 Permalink
This township spends our money like we have money trees in every backyard. Taxes continue to go up every year despite the poor shape the economy is in. 10% unemployment rate, people doing everything can just to hang on to their houses. Town council and mayor big mac allowed the school board to raise our school taxes again saying they cut a million out of the proposed budget when anyone with brains know that their was money hidden in the budget to pad the figure just in case it got voted down, which it did. Town council doesn’t want to upset the teachers union because they have enough pull to vote out members of the council. It’s just one continuing dirty cycle. As long as the school system gets theirs, everything is hunky dory in town. Now they not only want to fix the roofs on some of schools which is fine but insist on goin full out and install solar panels in the schools. I don’t have a problem with the town going green but not when many many people have to suffer as the township and school system just keep spending and spending like there’s no end to the money supply, especially when times are not good right now for many residents. Fix the roofs and put the solar panels on the back burner until things get better for the taxpayers.
David Pinkowitz 10:13 pm on December 13, 2010 Permalink
@ronb The common theme of most of your comments on this site is that your taxes are too high. The Board of Education explained the inclusion of solar panels as part of the Bond Referendum by stating that it reduced energy costs and allowed the sale of Solar Renewable Energy Credits, which resulted in a lower tax impact for the taxpayers. I linked to that explanation in my original post.
To vote no on the referendum now would lose almost $9 million in State money with no guarantee that there would be another opportunity for similar funds in the future. I believe that the evidence shows that this referendum, if passed, provides a much better deal for the taxpayers over the next twenty years. Roof repairs and replacements will happen with or without this referendum, but at a higher cost to the taxpayer.
If you want to argue that all savings from the passage of this referendum should be passed to the taxpayer, that is a different argument for a different time. Make those arguments during the budget discussions in the new year.
I agree with you that the school budget should be fiscally responsible, but this is a good proposal. You may not find it perfect, but we should not let perfect be the enemy of the good. Voters should confidently vote yes tomorrow.