Residents would receive the same municipal tax bills this year as they did last year under the proposed township budget.

Mayor David Mayer introduced his administration's proposed 2011 budget during Monday night's Council meeting.

"As with my first budget—the transition budget of last year—this proposed budget again freezes our tax rate, which will result in a zero percent increase on the municipal levy," the mayor said. "As I mentioned last year, we need to control the cost of government and do all that we can to control that cost."

The budget calls for the township to spend $49,246,251 this year, representing a decrease of roughly $628,000 compared to the prior budget, Mayer said.

The township's 2011 spending plan will not require an increase to the tax levy, as Mayer noted, meaning residents will pay the same in taxes under the new budget. The municipal tax levy will be $37,346,064.

It is expected Council will host a public budget hearing at its April 25 meeting.

The 2011 budget will represent the first with the township operating on a calendar year schedule, as opposed to the traditional July-through-June fiscal year schedule.

"Each and every year as we know it's going to be more difficult, but I know we'll be up to the challenge and continue that trend," Council President Glen Bianchini said at the meeting's conclusion.

The state announced on Feb. 24 that it would provide the township with $5,106,459 in state aid—the same amount it awarded last year.

Shortly after he introduced the 2011 budget Monday, Mayer requested that council vote to allow his administration to enter into shared-services negotiations with Cherry Hill Township for trash disposal. The measure was unanimously approved.

The township entered into a shared-services agreement with Cherry Hill and the Borough of Merchantville last December for trash collection through Republic Services, of Mount Laurel. Officials say that deal will save the township nearly $650,000 over the five-year deal as compared to the prior trash-collection contract.

The township's trash currently is hauled to a dump in Pennsylvania. Every other Camden County town sees its trash taken to an incinerator in Camden, Mayer said.

Former township councilwoman Maureen McLaughlin took umbrage with the manner in which Council was asked to approve the shared-services negotiations—even if she did agree potential savings are worth exploring.

"I guess my concern is you obviously are partnering with (Cherry Hill) on collections. Did they just call us today and tell us this was happening? Is this not something that was well thought out?" she asked.

Mayer indicated he asked Cherry Hill officials to hold off on putting their own trash disposal out to bid when he learned they intended to do so just last week.

"I'm sure you didn't find out at 5 o'clock today. So, my point is, if we're going to do this and we're going to have transparency, notify the residents about what you're discussing like you do everything else," McLaughlin countered. "It's the process that I'm talking about."

Mayer expects to hear something on the bids in about a month.

"Hopefully, we'll have some savings to announce," he said.

Council members lauded Mayer, Business Administrator Tom Cardis and Chief Financial Officer Christie Ehret for crafting the no-tax-hike budget.

"Given what's going on in South Jersey right now, (in) New Jersey as a whole, I think it's darn near amazing that we are coming in with a zero increase," Councilman Dan Hutchison said.

Councilwoman Crystal Evans, a vocal opponent of Mayer's, indicated she was "absolutely" pleased with the budget when pressed by Hutchison.