New Mayor Highlights Six New Initiatives for 2010

Prosperous, safe, quality of life, healthy, green and expanding its outreach – these are the goals of newly elected Bernards Township Mayor Scott Spitzer, as outlined in his first public speech last night at the Township Committee reorganization meeting.

Township Committee member Mary Pavlini nominated Spitzer for the position of mayor. Denise Szabo, Township Clerk, cast the unanimous ballot for Spitzer upon hearing no further nominations.

Spitzer has served on the Township Committee since 2008 and was Deputy Mayor in 2009.

Prosperous

Spitzer declared his firm commitment to maintaining the tradition of keeping taxes low in Bernards Township.

"Our tax record is unparalleled in the state of New Jersey," Spitzer said. "The budgetary challenges are great, but we must continue to be vigilant to keep taxes in check, and we will."

Spitzer recognized the work of continuing Township Administrator and Chief Financial Officer Bruce McArthur and his staff. "We are fortunate for this challenge because we have a terrific Township Administrator, Bruce McArthur, who leads a team of dedicated, motivated and experienced professionals."

Safe

The new mayor recognized the capabilities of Police Chief Brian Bobowicz, whom Spitzer called a "solid and seasoned professional."

He also called for improvements to the Township's emergency management capabilities.

"We should seek a more effective means for communicating emergency information to all our citizens," Spitzer said. "We are working with Somerset County to implement a reverse calling capability that can reach specific communities, sections of towns and even specific streets when emergency communication with our citizens is vital."

The town will also hold another Community Shred Day, an idea championed by Spitzer last year. Over 18,000 pounds of documents with personal information were shredded and handled by the Township in one day last year to help protect the community against identity theft.

Quality of Life

The Township Committee will hear the mayor's request to create a "Beautification Committee" of volunteers in 2010 to "help enhance the overall appearance of our community and the quality of life," according to Spitzer.

The 250th Anniversary Task Force, chaired by Spitzer's wife Toby Spitzer, has already engaged in a "Daffodil Project," which resulted in the planting of almost 8,000 daffodil bulbs by Bernards residents for the spring of 2010 – nearly 1,500 of which were donated to the town and planted on public property.

The daffodil will be a symbolic reminder of the town's 250th anniversary this year, and Mayor Spitzer urged the town to consider similar projects.

On the issue of New Jersey state housing mandates, Spitzer said, "Our quality  of  life  is  threatened  by  Trenton  bureaucrats  who  seek  to  impose  on  us  arbitrary  and misguided  housing  mandates  and  to  subvert  local  control  of  our  zoning.    We will  continue  to  actively oppose these efforts."

Spitzer recognized Assemblywoman Denise Coyle, who was in attendance at the reorganization meeting and said, "You've got your work cut out for you."

Healthy

Spitzer will urge the town to participate in a "Mayor's Wellness Campaign," and join him on a health hike at Bernards' new "Sons of Liberty Park."

More community-focused exercise activities will be scheduled, with dates and further details to be announced throughout the year.

The town will also continue to pressure Millington Quarry to meet adequate health and safety standards for their operations. Spitzer said, "We will be steadfast in continuing to pursue our two key objectives: first, no more fill be brought into the quarry, [which tests in November showed contained some toxic chemicals], and secondly, comprehensive testing of soil, surface water and ground water on all the quarry property under New Jersey State DEP oversight."

Green

The township efforts to pursue alternative and efficient energy use will be focused around two large-scale solar panel projects in 2010.

The town is currently discussing adding solar panels at the Pill Hill landfill and at the Sewerage Authority plant on Martinsville Rd.

"We will continue to pursue these goals because we are pragmatic environmentalists, because it is right for our environment and because it is right for our planet," Spitzer said.

Expanding Outreach

Spitzer announced he will hold several "brown bag" lunches with the public over the course of 2010.

The lunches will take place on Saturdays at various locations in town and will present an opportunity for residents to meet the mayor and express their "views and concerns" about the Township. Dates for events have yet to be announced.

Spitzer closed his comments by saying, "To my fellow residents, I want to say that for 250 years, the spirit and character of our residents has made Bernards a wonderful place to live. ... I am honored, not only to serve as your Mayor during this wonderful anniversary year, but to wake up every day, in a place so special as the place we are proud to call our home."