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A new speed camera enforcement program, street repairs and public works truck replacements following the February snowstorms are among the highlights of Cheverly's fiscal 2011 budget.

The Town Council passed the $7 million budget, which leaves the town's tax rate the same at 48 cents per $100 of assessed value, during its June 10 meeting.

The budget is an increase of several million dollars over the town's fiscal 2010 budget of a proposed $4.8 million. Part of the increase is due to the Cheverly Speed Camera Enforcement Program, under which the town has starting using a mobile camera to ticket drivers speeding along Cheverly Avenue, which has a 25 mph limit.

The town can only keep 10 percent of its $7 million budget in speed camera ticket revenues, meaning the town could collect as much as $700,000 that could only go toward public safety initiatives such as pedestrian safety and education.

There were 20 warnings issued during the month-long warning period that ended June 20, Cheverly Police Chief Buddy Robshaw said. Enforcement hours are weekdays between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m.

He said residents are likely still sensitive to the camera because there has been a forewarning about the program via town meetings and the town newsletter.

"Six months from now, I wonder how much of that sensitivity will still be there," Robshaw said.

Town Administrator David Warrington said that under the fiscal 2011 budget, the average municipal tax bill for a resident will be between $300 and $350.

For the town's Capital Improvement Program, a series of long-term town enhancement projects, the town relied on more than $1.4 million in fund balance reserve money, setting aside a total of $150,100 to replace three police vehicles and $162,000 to replace three public works trucks from 1989, 1990 and 1995 that took their final beatings during the February snowstorms, Warrington said.

"These [public works] guys did such an outstanding job during the snowstorm. We're really excited to have the equipment [for them] to do their jobs with," Callahan said.

Resident Ann Barsi, who organized meals for Cheverly's public works employees during the February snowstorms, said if public works director Juan Torres and Warrington know it is time for a vehicle replacement, Barsi trusts their judgment.

"Juan Torres and David Warrington never do anything frivolous," Barsi said. "They buy good equipment, and they make everything last. I think this winter was extraordinary. That equipment that was 20, 25 years old. They had made it last so long that it was just the breaking point. That's to their credit that they made it last that long."

The town also set aside $60,000 in Capital Improvement Project money for sidewalk, curb and gutter repairs. Callahan said the first street in need of work is 63rd Avenue and that work could begin this fall. He did not have a specific starting month.

"It really is that this year we're able to spend this money because over the last three years we've been relatively frugal," Callahan said. "The previous mayor and the council have been relatively conservative, and because of that we were able to grow the fund balance to $750,000 to $1.4 million."

E-mail Natalie McGill at nmcgill@gazette.net.