Reorganization ushers in centennial year

Florence Township’s reorganization meeting was held at the Roebling Volunteer Fire Co. to commemorate the Village of Roebling’s 100th birthday.

By: Scott Morgan
   ROEBLING — In one way, it was exactly the same. The Florence Township Council held its reorganization meeting on Jan. 5, but without any municipal elections in the township last year, there was no one to swear in.
   Neither were any of the council’s positions changed. John Fratinardo will stay council president for another year and Betsie Ryan will remain vice president. Michael Muchowski is still the mayor and Jerry Sandusky began his 24th year on the council.
   But in another way, last week’s "reorg" was entirely unique. While the township’s reorganization meetings usually occur at the Municipal Building on Broad Street, this time it was held at the Roebling Volunteer Fire Co. on Main Street in Roebling.
   Why hold it here amid the smells of sausages and peppers and garlic and bread? To commemorate the Village of Roebling’s 100th birthday of course. With this first official activity of 2005, the township sparked a yearlong celebration into the history and uniqueness of a town originally built to house the workers of the Roebling Steel Co. a century ago.
   But looking back is only half the picture.
   Township Administrator Richard Brook said 2005 also will be a year of revitalization in the township. Mr. Brook outlined several projects from the significant (like the project to repave Railroad Avenue using $500,000 of state grant money) to the hopeful (like the talks that are now in the works to renovate the Route 130 business and industrial corridor) to the historic (like getting the Main Gate Museum at the old steel mill site up and running under the guidance of the Roebling Historical Committee).
   A major project for the coming year, Mr. Brook said, will be the township’s efforts to comply with the state’s new Council on Affordable Housing (COAH) guidelines. Though the township will not know its requirements for another few months, Mr. Brook said township planners are already working on how to meet requirements to provide affordable housing in Florence.
   Under it all, Mr. Brook said, the Township Council will continue to work toward one main goal.
   "It goes without saying that the governing body will be doing everything it can to keep the tax rate stable and still maintain the same quality of services."
   And somehow, he said, the council will also manage to commemorate that certain 100th birthday.