The Orange City Council and Mayor Robert L. Brown last night wrangled for more than 1.5 hours over some final municipal budget amendments that are expected to send the property tax rate from $14.96 to $16.73 per $100 of assessed valuation.

Council members Louise Corvino, Todd Mark Galante and Patricia Juliano opposed raising the budget in the mayor's office from $77,334 to $86,334, a $9,000 hike. They similarly objected to the city council's expenses and wages being increased from $81,480 to $116,480, a $35,000 hike.

Council members James J. Brown, no relation to the mayor, Mims Hackett, Dwight Mitchell and Marian Silvestri supported the budget amendment increases.

During the heated special session, Galante, along with at least one member of the audience, accused the mayor of manipulating the council on the amendments and of running the council meeting.

A regular city council meeting followed, and when it ended after 11 p.m., the council said its final budget - to be voted upon Monday night - would total $25.8 million and require a $9.8 million tax levy.

Galante had noted that the mayor's original budget would have sent the property tax rate soaring to $18 per $100 of assessed valuation.

The council needed five votes to approve the two amendment increases. The 4-3 vote defeat means the mayor's salary will not be increased 67 percent, from $15,000 to $25,000 a year, retroactive to Jan. 1, as had been suggested. Nor will the council members' salaries go up 50 percent, from $10,000 to $15,000.

In other business, Mayor Brown outlined a new program aimed at collecting delinquent property, sewer and water taxes; the council introduced an ordinance to eliminate the police department's top chief position and create a new deputy police director's post, and council approved a 5 percent wage hike for municipal employees, retroactive to Jan. 1.

"This administration has initiated a special campaign to target and attack those who have previously made a mockery of taxpayers," the mayor said. "With the extra difficulties attached to the collection and foreclosure on water and sewer taxes, some building owners have consciously not paid water and sewer taxes. This administration will not tolerate these actions."

Last month, he continued, the city developed a list of the businesses and commercial developments in Orange interest.

"Our intentions to scofflaws are to show no mercy and use any means necessary to collect the taxes that honest taxpayers pay and dishonest people try to avoid paying," said the mayor, outlining a 10-point program.

From now on, Brown said, such scofflaws will be personally notified of their delinquent status by Business Administrator Thomas Morrison. Violators subsequently will face being prohibited from doing any business with the city and having municipal services, such as garbage removal, curtailed, he added.

Regarding changes in the police department's table of organization, the ordiance amendments calls for a police director, a deputy police director, five captains, 13 lieutenants and 18 sergeants.

Charles Cobbertt is the police director and Anthony Benevento is the acting police chief. Police Chief Robert Sorge has been on a combination of sick leave and vacation since late last year.

The council also approved establishing a salary range for the police director of $45,000 to $55,000, and for a deputy police director, $45,000 to $50,000.

In still other business, the council, on second and final reading, adopted an ordinance, effective immediately, that prohibits the use or possession of electronic paging devices on school property.

The council said the beeper devices often are used by students and others to transact illegal drug business.

---

“Reach Back with One Hand and Pull Someone Else Up With You.”

– Charles C. Cobbertt

Explore more of the inspiring stories of Charles C. Cobbertt.