Gambatese offers agenda for 2003.
By: Sharlee Joy DiMenichi
Priorities for the upcoming term highlighted the remarks of newly installed Mayor Frank Gambatese and Councilman Chris Killmurray, who took inaugural oaths at the council reorganization meeting Saturday at the senior center.
They said they planned to preside over road improvements and park development in their upcoming terms. Mayor Gambatese was elected in November and replaces Debra Johnson, who did not seek re-election.
Mayor Gambatese received 4,884 votes and Republican mayoral candidate Larry Gildenberg received 3,706. Mr. Killmurray was elected to a three-year term in November. Voters cast 4,656 ballots for Mr. Killmurray and 3,836 for Republican council candidate Dawn Smith.
Mayor Gambatese said he hoped to stimulate business in the township and to encourage companies to contribute money toward educational programs for residents.
"We have an obligation to our business community to help them grow and get bigger," Mayor Gambatese said.
Mayor Gambatese said he plans to meet every other month with approximately 10 businesspeople to discuss their problems and invite them to educate the community. Mayor Gambatese suggested, for example, bankers could offer lessons on money management and engineering companies could donate equipment to high school physics classes.
Mayor Gambatese said he hoped to publicize local establishments and to expedite the process of approving plans for business expansions.
He also said he wants to expand the township recreation program, which primarily serves residents age 14 and under, to include activities for older youth.
Mayor Gambatese said his term would bring expanded recreational opportunities with the opening of the Beechwoods park, an 86-acre tract at the intersection of Route 1 and Beekman Road, and the sensory garden in Veterans’ Park, on Beekman Road.
The mayor said he expects the last sound walls on Route 522 to be built in 2003, after the township receives state aid for the project.
Mayor Gambatese said previously the project will cost $6 million and will be funded in part with state money that has been delayed by the resignation of state Department of Transportation Commissioner Jamie Fox, whom Gov. James McGreevey chose to become his chief of staff.
Deputy DOT Commissioner Jack Lettiere replaced Mr. Fox. Due to the transition, the DOT has not yet released the funding the township expects, Mayor Gambatese has said.
"We expect to get, momentarily, to get $1.7 million for the sound walls," Mayor Gambatese said Saturday.
Mr. Killmurray said he planned to start a veterans advisory office in the municipal building. Through the office, veterans could access information about benefits, services and awards.
Mr. Killmurray said he looked forward to working with Mayor Gambatese and council members to facilitate road improvements, park development and library expansion in spite of a decline in revenue due to the slow economy and a decline in development.
"We’re faced with a lot of challenges," Mr. Killmurray said.
New heads of township boards and commission were sworn in as a group.

