Article published Feb 4, 2009 Hammonton Dems call on council, school board to make 'green' improvements s
By BEN MERITT Staff Writer
HAMMONTON -- Going green can help taxpayers save a little green.
That's what the Hammonton Democratic Club said in a statement Friday when it urged Town Council and the Board of Education to take advantage of a recently enacted law that makes it easier for town, school and other entities to make their buildings more energy efficient without incurring large upfront costs.
The law allows public entities to enter into lease-purchase agreements of up to 15 years with a private company to upgrade or replace heating and air conditioning systems, lighting, insulation or electrical systems to improve energy efficiency.
The cost could be paid back over time, using savings realized through the improvements.
"Towns, schools, counties and public colleges can now become more energy efficient and save money when they retrofit their buildings and enter into long-term energy contracts with no additional costs," said Corzine, who signed the bill Jan. 21.
The Hammonton Democrats forwarded information about the program to the council and school board.
"This legislation enables Hammonton Town Council and the Hammonton school board to implement cost-saving, energy-saving technology into our facilities at no cost to the Hammonton taxpayers," the Democrats' statement said.
The Democrats, who currently have no representative on the town's governing body, encouraged both the council and school board to move ahead on the program.
They also pledged their support and assistance.
"The Hammonton Democrats would like to work together with the council, school board, environmental commission and green committee to investigate and quickly act on this legislation," the party's statement said. "Mayor and council have already shown a commitment to green projects and, with this new opportunity, we can accelerate the implementation of these technologies in our town."
The school board also may be able to save money during the $13.7 million renovation planned at Warren E. Sooy Jr. Elementary School, according to the Democrats.
The party proposed a joint meeting of entities to review the legislation to ensure the town does "not miss any possibility" of saving money for taxpayers while reducing the impact on the environment.
I think that the school is already ahead of the curve with some green items....its' nice to be a monday morning quarterback...this plan has been in the works for nearly three years...you make political statements but do you guys really know what is in the plan? or are we just playing politics as usual....just another Johnny come lately idea on behalf of the dems.
I think that the school is already ahead of the curve with some green items....its' nice to be a monday morning quarterback...this plan has been in the works for nearly three years...you make political statements but do you guys really know what is in the plan? or are we just playing politics as usual....just another Johnny come lately idea on behalf of the dems.
Monday morning quarterback implies the game is over. It's still Sunday... The game has already started and we have yet to go on the field. We need a game plan to win. We just can't be spectators while other municipalities are moving ahead of Hammonton and scoring big on grants and deals with investors and energy companies.
There's NO DENYING that there have been opportunities to do this already. Let's get in the game or else we'll lose.
I think that the school is already ahead of the curve with some green items....its' nice to be a monday morning quarterback...this plan has been in the works for nearly three years...you make political statements but do you guys really know what is in the plan? or are we just playing politics as usual....just another Johnny come lately idea on behalf of the dems.
You need to read the post again. The proposal being presented here is not anything that could have been in the works for three years. This is brand new legislation that was signed into law only 2 weeks ago. With this new legislation the school board may be able to reduce the amount of money being borrowed under the referendum that was recently approved by the voters. And the savings can be passed on to the taxpayers. You question if we know what is in the plan, obviously you don't or you would not have used this as an opportunity to attack us. There is a link at the bottom of the post that takes you to the actual bill. We have read it, now you should. It's a shame that you couldn't just accept this information as a sincere attempt at helping our community and it's residents. We are ready to work together with the other parties to make Hammonton better, but people like you keep throwing roadblocks in the way. Please lower your shields and try to work along with us instead of continuing to tear this community apart.
ONCE AGAIN THE DEMOCRATS ARE THE SPIN DOCTORS. YOU SHOULD RE-READ THE POST AGAIN. YOU SEND SOMEONE TO COUNCIL AND MAKE IT SOUND SO EASY. DURING THE DECEMBER ELECTION IT WAS STATED THAT PLANS FOR THIS PROJECT HAVE BEEN UNDERWAY FOR A LONG TIME. IT IS MY BELIEF THAT THE BIDS MAY ALREADY BE OUT. SO WHY IF YOU REALLY CARE DO YOU PLAY POLITICS WITH SENDING PEOPLE TO MAKE TV APPEARENCES . FOR YOUR INFORMATION THE SCHOOLBOARD AND COUNCIL HAVE BEEN GOING GREEN. MAYBE YOU SHOULD PLAY CLOSE ATTENTION. THE NEW LEGISLATION IS LESS THAN 2 WEEKS OLD. MAYBE IF THE DEMOCRATS WOULD PAY THEIR TAXES THEY WOULDN"T HAVE TO RAISE THE ON EVERYONE ELSE. LEAD ON MR. GOV AND MR. PRESIDENT. TAX AND SPEND. MORE NEW PROGRAMS WITH ON WAY TO PAY FOR THEM.
ONCE AGAIN THE DEMOCRATS ARE THE SPIN DOCTORS. YOU SHOULD RE-READ THE POST AGAIN. YOU SEND SOMEONE TO COUNCIL AND MAKE IT SOUND SO EASY. DURING THE DECEMBER ELECTION IT WAS STATED THAT PLANS FOR THIS PROJECT HAVE BEEN UNDERWAY FOR A LONG TIME. IT IS MY BELIEF THAT THE BIDS MAY ALREADY BE OUT. SO WHY IF YOU REALLY CARE DO YOU PLAY POLITICS WITH SENDING PEOPLE TO MAKE TV APPEARENCES . FOR YOUR INFORMATION THE SCHOOLBOARD AND COUNCIL HAVE BEEN GOING GREEN. MAYBE YOU SHOULD PLAY CLOSE ATTENTION. THE NEW LEGISLATION IS LESS THAN 2 WEEKS OLD. MAYBE IF THE DEMOCRATS WOULD PAY THEIR TAXES THEY WOULDN"T HAVE TO RAISE THE ON EVERYONE ELSE. LEAD ON MR. GOV AND MR. PRESIDENT. TAX AND SPEND. MORE NEW PROGRAMS WITH ON WAY TO PAY FOR THEM.
Of course the project has been going on for a long time. A lot of work has gone into this project for many months to plan, design, and promote the project. But this new legislation offers a NEW way to reduce some of the costs if we can utilize the green technology covered under this bill. In our Press Release we also stated that the Council and school board have been doing work on green projects, but we need to really kick it up a notch bcause other surrounding communities are passing us by in this area. We are stepping up to the plate and offering suggestions and our help in achieving these goals. If you want to use our offer as an opportunity to belittle us, then maybe you should just step aside and let us along with the Republicans and Hammonton First move forward in a positive manner towards a solution that will help everyone in our town.
