recreation, housing
will remain key issues
Shutzer elected president
of Freehold council for ’03
Mayor Wilson says
recreation, housing
will remain key issues
By clare MARie celano
Staff Writer
FREEHOLD — Mayor Michael Wilson addressed a packed room at Borough Hall as the borough’s government held its 2003 reorganization meeting on Jan. 5.
After welcoming residents, clergy members and past officials, Wilson began his address by stating that the council was "ready to play ball."
Referring to the major project of developing a community park that is also home to the Freehold Little League, off Otterson Road, Wilson said the park will offer safe fields for competitive play as well as a new playground.
He said that upon completion of the project by the spring, the borough will have new, safe recreation at the four corners of the town — Liberty Park, Community Park, Vinyard Park and Lenoir Avenue Park.
"I am also pleased to report that the borough is in the midst of the first year of a five-year housing rehabilitation program. This $3.4 million program made possible by a (regional contribution agreement) from Freehold Township, will provide for improvements to 160 homes within the borough."
Wilson said preserving the housing stock is one of the most important elements in keeping a town safe and secure.
"A homeowners program like this not only improves the housing stock for borough residents, but discourages the presence of absentee landlords whose predatory practices amount to nothing more than an impediment to a sound quality of life," the mayor said.
Wilson also referred to the project of improving the downtown’s infrastructure and related that during the upcoming months the borough will undertake a project to improve downtown crosswalks and will resurface Broad Street.
Wilson also referred to the police department’s upcoming move to the Rug Mill Towers, which he said will help to "stabilize an area that has already vastly improved over the last few years."
The mayor spoke about the initiation of the Quality of Life Enforcement Team which he said was created to "combat the day-to-day nuisances evident throughout the town that have literally plagued our quality of life — a quality of life that either drew us to the borough or one that has kept us here. This team has issued over 100 summonses for infractions that affect quality of life issues."
Wilson firmly stated the team will continue with the "block by block, lot by lot assault in an effort to weed out all substandard living conditions."
"We will continue to issue violations to property owners who place a higher value on profit margins than on safe living conditions," the mayor said.
Elected as council president for 2003 was Councilwoman Sharon Shutzer, who commented that 2002 was a very busy year for the borough. Highlights, according to Shutzer, included the opening of a new assisted living facility, continued improvements to parks, the construction of an auxiliary fire equipment storage facility, the opening of the YMCA Community Center and the struggle to maintain a viable role in the Freehold Regional High School District.
Councilman Michael DiBenedetto, who served as council president in 2002, told residents, "We will dig down deep to give you the quality of life that you deserve."
He referred to the fact that with the town’s health care costs up 30 percent, that will be a challenge.
"Because of 9/11, grants will not be there this year," he explained. "The financial stability will have to be on us here in Freehold."
He noted that the special Quality of Life municipal court sessions will remain "self-sustaining" and will not burden taxpayers to fund this expense. He also said borough officials are hoping to hire another code enforcer and additional police to be a part of the quality of life team in the future.
"We’re tired of landlords not being accountable for the problems that overcrowding has created," DiBenedetto said.
Councilman Robert Crawford commented that "every piece of ground in the borough seems to be filled." Referring to a new house on Hull Avenue and another on Bowne Avenue, he noted that people "want to stay in the borough."
"The message is out," he said. "If you violate our laws, you’ll pay."
Crawford said that as a council member he will continue to do things he’s supposed to do.
"This is your town, not ours alone. You elected us, keep challenging us," he told those in attendance.
Councilman Michael Toubin noted the hiring of the borough’s first full-time female police officer, Maribel Mora.
"We are realizing what we set out to do. We now have our first female officer and our first bilingual officer," Toubin said, adding that he is anxiously anticipating the police department’s move to its new headquarters.