Mayor Kelly's 2009 Annual Report

Bernards Township Mayor Carolyn Kelly gave her 2009 Annual Report on Tuesday, Dec. 29 at the Township Committee meeting.

Kelly will not be able to attend the January reorganization meeting and shared her thoughts on the state of Bernards Township as well as her personal experiences serving as a Township Committee member for the past nine years. Kelly will voluntarily step down from her post at the end of the year.

The following is a transciption of her speech:

Good evening, as 2009 draws to a close, I remain convinced that Bernards Township is one of the best places to live in the state of New Jersey – and in the entire United States.

The Township Committee and its employees have worked hard to streamline municipal operations. Our conservative fiscal and management policies allowed us once again not to raise municipal taxes in 2009 while continuing to provide municipal services and a high quality of life for the residents.

I want to thank [Township Administrator] Bruce McArthur and his team. This is an amazing achievement and it can't be stressed enough. As the Township Committee begins the budgeting cycle for 2010, I am confident that our team once again is displaying the same level of fiscal discipline and creativity it has in the past.

In 2009, the Bernards Township Planning Board reviewed the township's Master Plan. While previous versions focused on the needs of the developing community, this review focused on the needs of a mature, built-out town.

Stewardship of Bernards Township is the underlying theme of the draft. I am pleased to say the Environmental Commission has already embraced that idea and is discussing stewardship ideas.

On Dec. 22 the Planning Board completed their review of the existing chapters and will not host a series of public hearings in 2010. I would like to extend my thanks to Chairman [Kenneth] White and the entire Planning Board for the good work they have done this year.

2010 will be a year of celebration to commemorate Bernards Township's 250th anniversary. In January, a citizen-led anniversary task force began a yearlong exercise of building a calendar of monthly events that will celebrate the historic anniversary of our town.

The calendar of events is built and continues to grow as community groups join the celebration. Special thanks to Chairman David Becker, Township Historian June Kennedy and Bernards Township schools, task-force members and the numerous citizen volunteers who are making these events possible.

This year the Township Committee debated and studied the issue of placing solar panels at Pill Hill Landfill. I am pleased to say that discussions are proceeding in a positive direction. If implemented, solar panels will provide with an additional revenue source to offset taxation and will provide a new source of clean energy, which is in keeping with our desire to promote the sustainable township.

I would like to thank Bruce McArthur, [Municipal Clerk] Denise Szabo, [Police] Chief [Brian] Bobowicz, [Township Attorney] John Belardo, [Bernardsville News Reporter] Jake Perry, all of the employees, professionals, first responders and volunteers of Bernards Township. Your labors make Bernards Township a better place.

Personally, I would like to thank [Township Committee member] John Malay for being my running mate. The hard-fought campaigns were tough on us, but excellent training for the job ahead – and I had a lot of fun too.

I would also like to thank the Township Committee for their service this year, and to thank their families for the sacrifice they make in order for them to serve on the Township Committee.

At the back of the courtroom is a picture of a candlelight vigil held in 2001. I often look at that picture when I enter the courtroom because it reminds me of the rare privilege I have had to glimpse into the heart of our community, our residents; who, when called, came together spontaneously, in unity, to show their support, love of town and country. I know from personal experience that when they are needed in the future, they will be there.

And I thank the residents of Bernards Township for their support and trust in me over the past decade. I have enjoyed getting to know many of you and working on your behalf.

Finally, I would like to thank my husband Michael, my father Louis, and my [three] children … for their understanding and support of me. We have weathered some storms and exciting times, and I look forward to many new family adventures.

May God bless you all, and I wish you a healthy and happy New Year's. Thank you.