At Monday night’s township council meeting, local officials talked about allocating the $300,000 gained from a Clove Road land sale to Montclair State University. With no final determination, that matter, along with township budget adoption, will be settled at the Sept. 15 session.

As it stands, there is a difference of opinion between the council and the mayor. Council President Paul Huggins said he feels the funds should be reserved for equipment and infrastructure purchases.

"I believe that money should be put in a capital improvement fund, so that we don’t have to bond money. Once you take a $300,000 one-time revenue, and put it to taxes, then you have to make it up," he said, about following fiscal year consequences.

The council president said the cash can also provide a full time grant application writer, and matching money for handouts.

"We do have to go after grants more aggressively in town. We have a grants committee. They can only do so much."

Mayor Eugene Kulick said he wants the $300,000 to go to tax relief as the money can knock four points from a 10-point town tax hike.

"You don’t know how to pull the trigger," he said. "If you want to show the people you’re working for them, give them something back. We got the $300,000 in the treasury right now, and when the tax bills go out, we can deduct them from the taxes."

Kulick added the figure will be made up next year by lawsuit settlement and delinquent tax collection dollars. He said that total comes to $320,000.

Councilman Joe Sisco said the levy ease option is desirable, as long as it causes no financial complications.

"My feeling on the $300,000 is I’d love to have a $75 reduction," he said, about the predicted break per household, "if you guarantee you will not raise $75 next year."

Councilman William Liess gave another assessment, saying that extra discretionary money comes rarely.

"We never had $300,000 for anything in the four years we’ve been on the council. We know we have this, and there are myriad things to do. The number one thing that comes to mind is the mitigation plan," he said, referring to the emerging all hazards risk alleviation outline. "We’re very close to achieving that."

Councilwoman Pam Porter said she favors tax abatement. She noted, as Kulick stated, the nearly third million dollar will be regenerated.

"I think we should give the money back to the people."

Meanwhile, the governing body was not alone in discussing the topic. During public portion, John Agostinelli — Democratic mayoral candidate – said he feels the $300,000 would yield more benefit with grant getting and capital improvements. Agostinelli said the money, if properly invested, can improve the township’s economic health. He made that point to Kulick.

"Over the last five years, Little Falls has had a six tax point increase every year, and nothing has been done. We can’t keep borrowing every year. I would appreciate it if you would reconsider this $300,000, and start using if for the good of the town."

Mike DeFrancisci — Republican candidate for mayor — also spoke He said he feels the town has not been proactive enough seeking out higher government endowments.

"Before tonight, I never heard anything about grants, and all of a sudden, it seems to be the force of the day."

DeFrancisci said the municipality should have started diligently going after handouts a long time ago.