Christie proposes cost-covering incentive for consolidating municipalities
New Jersey towns weighing consolidation have been given an incentive by Gov. Chris Christie. He’s proposing covering 20 percent of the cost for municipalities looking to consolidate.
The state Department of Community Affairs would pay that portion of the merger cost, according to NJ.com, as a way to sweeten the deal for governments considering the idea.
Looking at Princeton specifically, if the borough and township vote in November to approve consolidation, the state would pay 20 percent of the $.17 million merger, and that cost could be spread over five years.
Some towns have already taken small steps by merging service. Camden County has begun plans for a county-wide police department, and several towns there recently merged their trash service.
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