Mayor Davis' 2012 New Year's Address
January 11, 2012
Mayor’s January 2012 Letter to Residents
Happy New Year! It is my hope that all have a very safe and prosperous New Year. As we start this year I wanted to take a moment to thank all volunteers for taking good care of our Borough during the recent year. Whether you are a Fireman or on our First Aid Squad or you sit on a Board, Commission or Committee, your efforts are appreciated.
Police Sergeant Charles Joseph Campbell recently retired from the Borough after over 27 years of service. We all wish Sergeant Campbell a long healthy and happy retirement. We recently hired a new police officer, Jay Hardy.
Planning for Borough goals, infrastructure and activities for 2012 is now in full swing and will continue as we walk through the budget cycle. The items your Governing Body will be discussing over the next several months will include:
1. Budget for 2012. The Council will be receiving the Administration’s budget & message at the January 17 meeting. The Council President and Finance & Insurance Committee will then have the responsibility to review with the Governing Body and introduce the budget by February 29, 2012. I will have a specific budget message to taxpayers upon budget completion.
2. Fair Share Housing requirements will occupy a lot of our time the first half of this year due to the State’s requirements to have specific projects moving forward. To this end our Planner, David Banisch, will be advising us of the legislation and options available to us to accomplish the State’s requirements. Mr. Banisch will be addressing the Governing Body at the January 17 meeting.
3. As it pertains to our former Municipal Building at 300 Main Street, a financial review of lease versus sell was completed and the Governing Body decided a long term lease would be the better use of this asset. Significantly, property values are currently low and leasing may also permit more potential users to come forward. To this end we are actively moving forward to lease the property.
4. During 2011 most Municipal Departments were moved into the 50 North Road facility. We also completed a long term lease with the Chester Board of Education in December, 2010, and they moved into our building during March, 2011. We intend to move the balance of our Departments into the facility during the next several months. Some light construction work is ongoing to complete this final move.
5. The Governing Body has under review the contracting for Police services to Chester Township since last summer. At this writing no decisions have been made and we are awaiting a formal quote for these services. With many details to be reviewed the Public Safety Committee continues to move forward to gather more data before a recommendation to the Governing Body is made.
6. The Governing Body approved the resurfacing of both Oakdale Road and Pleasant Hill Road in 2011. The Borough received a $150,000 grant to complete Oakdale during 2011. These roads are being scheduled out for bid during late January with paving being accomplished during April or May. The Governing Body may also add a 2012 road project to this list.
If you have any questions or comments please feel free to contact me.
Sincerely
Robert Davis, Mayor