Furlough employees; don't cut trash pickup

This letter is in regard to the expected introduction of a once-a-week garbage pickup in East Brunswick.

I cannot believe that Mayor David Stahl is still trying to save the township about $365,000 a year. If he would just explain to the residents that it would save each homeowner only $20-$30 a year on their taxes, would they think it would be worth it not to have a twice-a-week pickup? If he put it to a vote rather than doing what he wants to do, he would see that pickup of trash would stay as it is now. What I see happening with the once-a-week pickup is not only a rodent increase but a backup of the sanitation schedule because of increased garbage filling up the trucks faster.

I am a retired union worker, and I am 100 percent for labor, but with today's economic times and increase in taxes, the mayor should look to furloughs for the town's employees. Believe me, the furlough system works — my union has had a furlough program since the early 1980s.

Mayor Stahl should look to decrease taxes; yet, he sees a 20 cent per $100 tax increase this year. The only way that he can reduce taxes is by freezing wages and having a furlough system.

I may sound like a cruel person to those who would be affected by this, but look at the facts — the more you increase taxes, the more people are looking to get out of this town; the more businesses leave, the more your taxes go up. Every home has lost value in the last couple of years, yet my taxes keep rising. How come the assessed value does not come down?

I would like to know if the township pays for the police department services for road construction.

The once-a-week trash pickup should not happen.
Thomas Ingrisani
East Brunswick