INTRODUCTORY SECTION
TOWNSHIP OF EWING
COUNTY OF MERCER
The Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) for the Township of Ewing, County of Mercer, State of New Jersey for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2001 is submitted herewith and includes financial statements and supplemental schedules.
New Jersey statutes require that the Township of Ewing issue annually a report on its financial position and activity, and that the report be audited by and independent Registered Municipal Accountant. We believe it is accurate in all material respects; that it is presented in a manner designed to set forth fairly the financial position and the results of operations of the Township of Ewing as measured by the financial activity of its various funds; and that all disclosures necessary to enable the reader to gain maximum understanding of the Township's financial affairs have been included.
The CAFR is resented in four sections: introductory, financial, statistical and auditors comments and recommendations.
The introductory section contains this letter of transmittal, brief descriptions of the municipal and government operations, a table of organization, and a list of elected and public officials. The financial section includes the annual financial statements and individual fund financial schedules, as well as the independent auditors' report. The statistical section included selected financial information designed to give the reader a sense of the financial makeup of Ewing Township. Responsibility for completeness and clarity of the Report, including disclosures, rest with the Chief Financial Officer and ultimately with the Mayor and Township Council.
Druker, Rahl and Fein of Princeton, New Jersey has audited the
financial statements. They are independent registered municipal accountants
whose opinion is expressed in the financial section. The auditors' opinion
is unqualified and states that the financial statements are presented in conformity
with the basis of accounting as prescribed by the Division of Local Government
Services, Department of Community Affairs, State of New Jersey.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
Ewing Township is a community of 16 square miles located in Mercer County, New Jersey. Lawrence and Hopewell Townships borders on the east and the State Capital, the City of Trenton, borders on the south.
The Township was formed on February 22, 1834, coincident with the founding of Mercer County. Ewing Township was named in honor of Charles Ewing, late Chief Justice of New Jersey.
Ewing Township is a predominantly residential community. It is home to many
State of New Jersey offices, the nationally recognized College of New Jersey,
businesses, industry, township owned parkland and two golf courses. Philadelphia
and New York City provide cultural and economic centers, which are easily
accessible via the interstate, and a commuter rail station located within
the townships borders. Air travel is available at the Trenton Mercer Airport,
also located within the township's border.
Approximately 71 % of the Township is developed as residential, 27 % is commercial, industrial and 1 % is farmland.
Ewing has long been known for its family owned commercial establishments.
These include restaurants, service stations, grocery stores, banks, and specialty
food shops.
GOVERNMENTAL STRUCTURE
Ewing Township is governed by a Mayor- Council form of government authorized under Plan E of the Faulkner Act of 1950. This form of government was enacted January 1, 1995. This form of government provides for the direct election of the Mayor and Council, thus providing for the separation of legislative and administrative functions.
The Mayor is elected on a partisan basis to serve a four-year term. The Council is comprised of five part-time members elected on a partisan basis and serving the Township for four-year terms. Elections are held every two years, resulting in terms of office, which overlap. The Mayor does not participate in the meetings of the Council and is not a voting member of the elected body.
The Business Administrator is the chief executive and administrator of the Township. This office is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the government. The Business Administrator serves the Mayor for an indefinite term of office.
SERVICES
Education
The Ewing Township School District serves the Township, which is coterminous with the District. In addition to the public schools within the district, the Kazenbach School for the Deaf is located in the Township. There are two charter schools located on the Ewing border in the City of Trenton. Higher educational opportunities are available at The College of New Jersey, located in the Township. Rider University, Princeton University, and Rutgers University are located within a short distance.
Municipal Clerk
The Township Council appoints the Municipal Clerk who is responsible for keeping the minutes and records of the proceedings of the Council. The Municipal Clerk is statutorily responsible for all elections. The Office of the Clerk issues a variety of permits and licenses including dog licenses and alcoholic beverage permits.
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY
Police
The Township provides public safety services through a full time police force, a combination of paid and volunteer firefighters and emergency medical services. The police division consists of 77 uniformed officers. The police department responded to 35,000 service calls during fiscal year 2001.
Fire
Three fire companies service the Township: Prospect Heights Fire Company, Pennington Road Fire Company and the West Trenton Fire Company. The three companies are manned by one paid firefighter each and numerous volunteers.
Emergency Medical Services
The Township is also served by a paid emergency medical services division, which consists of five emergency medical technicians.
DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION, FINANCE AND PUBLIC WORKS
Finance, Tax Collection and Assessment
The Finance division is responsible for the collection, disbursement and investment of all Township funds, and debt management. The Finance division also administers the purchases of all goods and services, assists in the preparation of the municipal budget and provides for the annual audit of all Township Financial records.
New Jersey Bond Law authorizes indebtedness for all local units, the amount if which is limited by statute not to exceed 3 ½ percent of the average equalized assessed valuation of the prior three years. As of June 30, 2001, Ewing Township's debt percentage was 1.45 %. The Township of Ewing has a debt rating from Moodys' of "A3".
The Tax Collection division is accountable for the billing and collection of property taxes and sewer charges. The Tax Assessment division is responsible for the valuation of property and defending the Townships' position with respect to tax appeals filed.
In 2001, the Tax Assessor and Tax Collector were responsible
for assessing and collecting revenue from approximately 11,000 properties.
Public Works
The labor force of the Division of Public Works consists of
separate road, sanitation and building crews. The strength of these crews
is that Ewing Township can provide many services to the community with our
own personnel without hiring outside contractors.
During fiscal year 2000, the road crew resurfaced and patched many miles of
township roads. The sanitation crew, one of the few in the State of New Jersey,
is responsible for the pickup and disposal of solid waste for all residences
and businesses. The building crew completed the construction of a maintenance
building and a gazebo, both on the grounds of the municipal complex.
DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY SERVICES
Health
The Division of Health enforces the State and Local health codes. This division is responsible for inspecting retail food establishments and environmental health inspections. As a service to the township residents the health staff offers cholesterol and blood pressure screenings, health education, child and adult health services, and communicable disease control. In 2001, the Division of Health conducted 1,300 inspections and administered 2,300 immunizations for infants, children and adults.
Employees of the Division of Health staff the Ewing Animal Shelter.
This facility is dedicated to the care and well being of the animal population
in the Township. Adoption and drop off services are provided.
Recreation
The Division of Recreation is responsible for the planning and coordination of sporting and other recreational activities for all age groups within the Township. The fees collected for the various activities support the operations of this division. A recreation commission comprised of township residents governs the programs administered by the recreation division. During fiscal year 2001, the Division of Recreation handled over 3,000 participant registrations.
Senior Citizens/ Community Center
The Ewing Community Center is a full service center offering day care and recreational activities for children as well as the senior population of the community. During the summer the pool accommodates neighborhood children as well as camps. The County of Mercer has on site at this location a nutrition center, a day care facility and a satellite branch of the Mercer County Library.
DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
This department is responsible for the planning and zoning functions, and the construction department as well as overseeing the economic future of municipality as it relates to planned development.
Planning and Zoning
Ewing Township has enjoyed controlled development and growth as guided by
its master plan. The Township retains the services of a professional planner
to develop a strategy for growth, which meets the needs of the government
and of the citizenry. With convenient access to I-295, I-95 and Route 1, along
with a local airport and train station, Ewing enjoys developmental advantages
associated with these transportation arteries. Our close proximity to the
state capital and our location between Philadelphia and New York makes Ewing
Township a desirable location for residency and for office operations.
During the past year, Ewing has experienced much growth in its
office and commercial development. Continued expansions of ETS (Educational
Testing Service), New Jersey Manufacturers, the Trenton County Country Club,
Epitaxx, Merck Pharmaceutical as well as other minor developments have served
to boost the tax base $6,000,000 in the past year alone.
CURRENT YEAR ACCOMPLISHMENTS
The Planning Board along with the Township Council has taken steps to meet our Mount Laurel obligation by directing our planning department to amend the Housing Element of the Master Plan in order to gain certification from the Council on Affordable Housing (COAH). A primary step within this process has been the approval of an assisted living facility that will meet 52 units of the Township of Ewing obligation.
The Township, through a low interest loan from the New Jersey
Infrastructure Trust and the State of New Jersey, completed a the Stabilization
of the West Branch of the Shabakunk Creek. This project was recognized by
the NJ Society of Municipal Engineers as the " 2001 Municipal Management
Project of the Year".
Economic Condition and Outlook
Along with the continued growth in the office, retail and commercial environment the Township of Ewing is faced with the future development of the last three large tracts of land within its boundaries
General Motors has been razed and will be slated for redevelopment once remediation is completed. Ewing Township and the College of New Jersey have entered into a partnership with the primary objective being to determine the best use for the 79-acre property. A community study will be undertaken to ensure that the parcel is developed in accordance with the needs of the community at large.
Across the street, the Naval Air Propulsion Center is primed for development as well, with the two final parcels having been sold. While no plans have been submitted, the landscape of the western portion of the township should be substantially different by 2004.
Ewing Township has also approved its first hotel. Within the next two years, a Courtyard by Marriott will be built across from the Trenton/Mercer Airport, which is likely to bring a new, quality restaurant to the region.
The largest available tract is the 109-acre Atchley property. There has been
considerable interest in the site, with potential uses including housing,
retail and office space. The Township is committed to developing it as it
is currently zoned and it confident that a serious user will come forward
by 2002.
Finally, the Olden Avenue business district has enjoyed two significant improvements over the past year. First, a 136,000 sf. Home Depot will replace a vacant industrial site. The store has received Planning Board approval, with work to begin in the Spring of 2002. Second, the refurbishing and expansion of one of the Township's largest shopping centers, which has been dormant for more than two years, will begin in November of 2001. The prospect of a Home Depot as an anchor has renewed interest in the region and increased property values. It has also elicited inquiries from other large retailers. This will provide a much needed boost to the efforts of the Redevelopment Agency, who are working hard to provide Olden Avenue with a solid identify throughout Mercer County.
Overall, the economic outlook for Ewing Township is a favorable
one. The commercial growth in our business parks, along with the quick turnover
of real property sales have established Ewing as a viable asset to Mercer
County. The next 3-5 years will be critical, from a development and tax stabilization
perspective, as Ewing attempts to regain what it lost to surrounding communities
in he last two decades.
| Business Administrator Fred R. Walters |
Chief Financial Officer Joseph P. Monzo |
TOWNSHIP OF EWING
ELECTED OFFICIALS
Alfred W. Bridges - Mayor
Doreitha Madden - Council President
Donald Apai - Council Vice President
Ben Steinman - Council Person
Wendell Pribila- Council Person
Michael La Rossa - Council Person
MUNICIPAL OFFICIALS
Fred R. Walters - Business Administrator
Stephen Elliott - Municipal Clerk
Joseph P. Monzo - Chief Financial Officer
Theodore Forst - Director of Community Services
Robert Coulton - Chief of Police
William Lake - Municipal Court Judge
Thomas Gioscio - Court Administrator
Albert Leff - Health Officer
Brenda Dotson - Tax Collector
Eleanor Blake - Tax Assessor
William Bennett - Construction Official
CONSULTANTS AND ADVISORS
AUDITORS
Druker, Rahl and Fein
PO Box 7648
Princeton, NJ 08543-7648
ATTORNEY
Maeve Cannon
Hill Wallack
202 Carnegie Center
CN 5226
Princeton, NJ 08543-5226
BOND COUNSEL
McManimon and Scotland
One Riverfront Plaza
Newark, NJ 07102
CONSULTING ENGINEER/PLANNER
Schoor, DePalma
PO Box 1720
Brick, NJ 08723
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