TUF is concerned that the BOE has become arrogant with the use of community money. We don't come to this opinion lightly; in the Past 7 months Phillip Kramer has attended most BOE meetings and has made five requests. But to the other requests, 1) to allow an outside and independent operational examination of the budget and 2) to televise the BOE meetings, the BOE has said "NO".

They will not allow an outside operational examination of spending because they believe that it is impossible that they are misspending any of the $116M budget and that examination itself will cost too much. TUF contends that if an examination cost $50,000 and found even a 0.1% error then Franklin would save $50,000 beyond the costs of the investigation. While we believe the every member of the BOE means well, it is hubristic to believe that they cannot make a mistake. It also appears that they don't want people looking over their shoulder, either in their preparation of the budget or at their meetings. They say "NO" to televising their meetings. They have all of the equipment that they need to broadcast the meetings, cost would be minimal and they constantly bemoan that not enough people come to the meetings.

TUF has reluctantly come to the point of view that until we are convinced that the BOE is spending taxpayers money correctly we will advocate saying "NO" to their requests for more spending.

• TUF's letter to the editor on a review and televising meetings.
• TUF's makes five requests of the BOE.
• Star-Ledger article covering our requests
• Last year's (2005) Budget Election - Addendum both the budget and the referendum were defeated. The budget was reviewed by the township council who cut it by $500,000.

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