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Red Bank Dems rushing $2.2 million bond ordinance to detect leaking toilets

money-down-toiletWhen Red Bank Councilwoman-elect Linda Schwabenbauer, a Republican, takes the oath of office in January, the Red Bank Democrats may no longer have enough votes on the council to borrow money at will.

Councilwoman Cindy Burnham, now the lone Republican on the six member council, told RedBankGreen  that the Democrats are rushing to pass a $2.2 million bond ordinance that has not been vetted before Schwabenbauer takes office.  The funds are to be used to replace water meters for the borough’s 4000 homes and buildings.

Borough Administrator Stanley Sickles told RBG that the $2.2 million in debt is necessary to help homeowners detect leaking toilets or a neighbor steeling water from an outside spigot.

“They might find out about a leaking toilet, or somebody stealing water from a spigot” on the outside of a house, he said. “A leaking toilet – it’s amazing how much water goes through that.”

Democratic Councilman Michael Dupont proposed the measure and says the new meters will save the borough water utility $600,000 per year.  He said the utility had had done a study to come up with that figure.  But Sickles, said there was no specific study.

Burnham said there is no documentation that the new meters will yield any savings and that the Democrats are “pushing this down our throats.”

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Posted: December 3rd, 2014 | Author: | Filed under: Monmouth County, Red Bank | Tags: , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments »

4 Comments on “Red Bank Dems rushing $2.2 million bond ordinance to detect leaking toilets”

  1. Mike Harmon said at 11:35 am on December 3rd, 2014:

    “Democratic Councilman Michael Dupont proposed the measure and says the new meters will save the borough water utility $600,000 per year. He said the utility had had done a study to come up with that figure. But Sickles, said there was no specific study”

    Dupont should be forced to prove his $600,000 savings

    A quick look at the borough W&S budgets reveals

    Over three years, debt service has increased from $1,000,827 to $1,236,000, an increase of $235,173, or $23.50%.

    Over the same time period operating expenses have increased from $4,193,201 to $4,751,656, an increase of $558,455, 13.32%.

    Dupont says this plan will reduce operating expenses $600,000 to $4,151,656. Prove it where is the spreadsheet showing the savings.

    By the way, my very limited look at the finances shows Red Bank is using the W&S fund as a piggy bank for the general fund at about $1,000,000 per year. Wonder where that money is going?

    Mayor Menna (a good guy by all accounts) along with Republican Councilwoman Burnham (a great example of someone working for the people) should stop the madness.

    Let the newly elected and financially savy Councilwoman – elect Schwabenbauer have a look.

    Imagine Red Bank going R. That would be a positive change I could believe in.

  2. MoreMonmouthMusings » Blog Archive » Sweeney coming to Red Bank to raise campaign cash for Murphy and Dupont said at 12:04 pm on December 3rd, 2014:

    […] Having lost two council seats in two years, the Red Bank Democrats are off the an early start in the 2015 campaign.  Republican Municipal Chairman Sean DiSomma has his sights on defeating both Murphy and Dupont next November, and taking control to the borough’s governing body and water utility. […]

  3. Is Sweeney said at 1:10 pm on December 3rd, 2014:

    Coming to Red Bank to assist in flushing that money down the toilet?

  4. Why not?? said at 8:55 pm on December 3rd, 2014:

    -good assessment, Mike. RB is a microcosm of what DC is doing to us nationally: tax, spend, raise everything, take care of their pals, give away our money, bond us into oblivion.. It’s great this is being discussed now: may we take control in 2015- it is long past time, in RB. The continuous, underhanded,exorbitant water and sewer raises,to balance their outrageous budget, needs to be stopped- now. Go, Cindy and Linda: you will lead the way! Time for major policy shifts, so people who want to stay and die in RB, can afford to..