As we move toward the end of 2012, municipalities across New York and
New Jersey are dealing with the aftermath of a devastating hurricane
and significant budgetary pressures. Many are struggling to determine
how to deliver better services at the same or lower cost as tax
revenues remain stagnant.

Many said that it couldn’t be done. But one year ago, something historic happened: Princeton Borough and Princeton Township residents voted for the first large municipal consolidation in New Jersey in more than 100 years.

The latest projections show that consolidation savings for 2013 are at least 40 percent greater than what was initially projected by the Joint Shared Services and Consolidation Commission in 2010- at least $2.26 million v. $1.61 million.

ROXBURY — Residents of Roxbury and Mount Arlington Wednesday evening gathered at the Roxbury Public Library to begin discussing the idea of merging the municipalities.   

The possibility of merging Mount Arlington and Roxbury would save a substantial amount of tax dollars and streamline services, officials say, and a public forum this week will begin exploring that possibility.

Last year, Save Jerseyans, both Princeton Boro and Princeton Township made the historic decision to consolidate.

The Local Finance Board in Trenton approved the application to study the consolidation of Scotch Plains and Fanwood on Wednesday afternoon.

A sensible proposal to merge Cherry Hill with little Merchantville is going the way of most such proposals: nowhere.   Cherry Hill Mayor Chuck Cahn told The Inquirer’s Kevin Riordan last week that no one could see the advantage of consolidation “from a Cherry Hill perspective” – which is a huge part of the problem.   

Both sides of the Scotch Plains-Fanwood consolidation testified in front of the Local Finance Board last Wednesday.

The hearing, held at the Department of Community Affairs building in Trenton, lasted about an hour and saw a comprehensive discussion about the proposed Municipal Consolidation Study Commission.

SCOTCH PLAINS — Fred Lange, a grandfather and amateur magician, was just enjoying his retirement.
 
Really. The Scotch Plains man, who’s pushing 80 but could pass for a lot younger, was living out his days with his wife, Doris, and paying no mind to local politics.