Police Contract, Property Revaluations Coming This Week

The Washingon Township Council is scheduled to vote this week on a salary ordinance for the Police Department this week.

The council voted to approve a new agreement with the PBA at their previous meeting. The ordinance will set the salaries as made in the agreement.

The new contract eliminates terminal leave going forward. Officers who have leave saved from before December 31, 2011 will still receive it, but they will not be able to save up any more. It also includes a 1.5 percent raise for the police officers.

The Washington Township Council meets at 7:30 p.m. Monday in the Municipal Complex.

Hillsdale Property Revaluations

Hillsdale Tax Assessor Patrick Wilkins is scheduled to present an overview of the property revaluations recently performed in the borough during the council meeting this week.

Inspectors had to visit every property in the borough and report data like the number of rooms, the quality of kitchens and bathrooms, the type of heating system and whether or not the home includes other items like a fireplace, deck or patio.

The data will be used to determine the amount of taxes each property owner will have to pay, but a higher appraisal or lower appraisal does not necessarily mean that taxes will follow, according to insprector Mark Duda.

Property owners can make appointments to check their new appraisals and will have an opportunity to report any inaccuracies. Mayor Max Arnowitz previously recommended that residents check their appraisals because the inspectors do sometimes make mistakes.

The Hillsdale Council meets at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday in the Municipal Building.

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