The Robbinsville Police Department is seeking $140,000 for overtime expenses, nearly double the $75,000 it had two years ago. According to Police Chief Martin Masseroni, the increase is needed in part to cover increased salaries and overtime pay. Time-sensitive investigations can result in overtime work and when there are more investigations, like investigating bomb threats made at township schools, more money is needed to pay for the time to work on these cases. Other factors cited as reasons for the increase are: growing duties, high school security, armed court escorts, increased state requirements regarding school incidents, and new or upgraded computer hardware and software. Robbinsville currently has 27 police officers.

See also: The Times

Robbinsville resident Altagracia “Grace” Rosario was sentenced to 75 months in federal prison for “scheming to obtain Pennsylvania driver’s licenses for illegal aliens who paid up to $4,000 for the credentials.” Rosario will also serve three years of supervised release following her jail time. Rosario, along with her 30 year old daughter Nancy Elgende, had been charging $2500-$4000 for Pennsylvania driver’s licenses that would normally cost only $31. They had been working with Ronald Henry, a former PennDOT driver’s license examiner from Philadelphia, who was also charged in the indictment and pleaded guilty during trial. Some of the licenses she sold were for commercial driving which would allow her customers to drive large commercial vehicles including tractor trailers. Federal agents found that Rosario and others had been forging documents and using computers to alter items such as visa, passports, and birth certificate.

Source: The Philadelphia Inquirer

The town council has decided to spend up to $25,000 for a study to see whether the Mercer Mobile Home park can be acquired to meet the State’s affordable housing requirements. Acquiring the trailer park would add to the township’s existing 100 affordable housing credits, some of which have been met in the past by paying other towns to build housing. The study would determine how many of the park’s 147 units would qualify for the affordable housing credits, and would be paid for by money set aside for affordable housing and developer fees. Mayor David Fried has said that the township would not manage the park if acquired but may hire a non-profit group to manage it, which would not cost the taxpayers anything.

The 2008 Robbinsville School Board Election will be held on Tuesday, April 15, 2008 from 7am to 9pm. For polling locations check http://www.robbinsvilleweb.com/wiki/Voting#2008_Polling_Places_-_School_Board_Election or see the chart below. (more…)

Aqua New Jersey has proposed a rate hike which would cost residents an extra $116.60 per year on average. Both Mayor David Fried of Robbinsville and Mayor John Bencivengo of Hamilton have publicly opposed the 28% hike saying it places an unfair burden on about 45,000 residents. Mayor Fried said water rates lead to tax increases because municipalities and taxpayer-funded fire departments must also pay to use the water. Both mayors said they have contacted an administrative law judge who is reviewing the rate case before the Board of Public Utilities makes a final determination.

Aqua New Jersey, which filed the $7 million rate increase request with the Board of Public Utilities in December, does not serve any other municipalities in Mercer County. Aqua claims that it needs the extra revenue in order to keep up the costs of improving aging infrastructure and treating drinking water to comply with tighter federal health regulations.

See related articles in the Times and the Trentonian.

Work Out World is celebrating the grand opening of their Robbinsville location April 11-13. They’re also holding a fund raiser to benefit the Washington Education Foundation and for every person that makes an appointment and takes the tour WOW will donate $5 to the Washington Education Foundation. Theyre expecting a large turnout so call 609-208-1999 to make an appointment.

April 12 is their Big Event Saturday where there will be a ribbon cutting ceremony with Mayor David Fried, complimentary continental breakfast buffet, kids activities including face painting, moon jump, and much more.

Tours are available April 11 from 7am-9pm, April 12 from 7am-7pm, and April 13 from 7am-4pm.

For all the details, see the event flyer Work Out World Fundraiser