By Mary Ellen Zangara, Special Writer
Mayor Lillian Zuza offered her annual address at the Manville Borough Council’s annual regorganization meeting on Sunday.
She began by saying “Three years ago, I was sworn in and provided you in my Mayor’s Address with an agenda of several issues that the council would be addressing. I have continued to work with the council to move these issues forward and achieve our goals. The council has worked diligently over the last year as a team and the following has been accomplished,” she said.
Some of the goals included a foreclosure on the South Main Street property that was delinquent in taxes for 18 years; testing for possible contamination and an application for grant money from NJDEP to cover the costs; under the Cool Cities Initiative Program which is sponsored by the BPU and PSE&G under the direction of the NJDEP Forestry Service the Borough continues receiving tree plantings as this is year two of a three year program.
Other goals included a grant from the state DOT to offset the cost of repaving of Brooks Boulevard; and cutting the borough’s operating budget in every department, resulting in a minimal increase without losing any services, she said.
”We will continue working on the 2011 budget under the governor’s 2 percent cap. In December, I asked the Council to take a 25 percent reduction in their salaries and a 25 percent reduction in their benefit reimbursement so we would lead by example.
”I have also met with the clerical, public works and police union representatives to request a pay freeze for 2011. We need to work together in this economically troubled times,” the mayor continued.
”We are continuing to work to expedite the “No Further Action” letter from EPA for the Rustic Mall Property and we are continuing discussions with the developer. Final testing has been done. We have been in constant contact with our Legislators to assist us with achieving this,” she said.
”I attended, with two other Manville representatives, the final presentation of the graduate students at NJIT in Newark on Dec. 8, on possibilities to be developed on the Rustic Mall Property. Their semester project, which was three months long, resulted in a great presentation that was very intense and lasted five hours. The developer and his staff also attended and were impressed and interested in their findings, as were the borough representatives. The presentation boards will be on display at the Borough Hall for the public to view.
”Through a grant from the Board of Chosen Freeholders and their Energy Audit, the Manville Library will be receiving solar panels for their roof. This will result in cost savings in the future.
”We will continue exploring the use of shared services with other municipalities and the county, which will help us keeps costs down. In 2010, we joined the county health department for shared services as well as county engineering is addressing our engineering needs. This resulted in another cost savings for both.
”We were very fortunate to host the Big Apple Circus here which brought so many people and business into Manville and to show the people how great this town really is.
”I am pleased to announce that with the support of the Board of Chosen Freeholders, I facilitated a meeting with the other seven towns that are involved in flooding, as we are. They are Bridgewater, Franklin, Somerville, Millstone, Rocky Hill, Montgomery and Hillsborough. The county has promised us direction in setting up a formal flood commission based on the structure of the Green Brook Flood Control Commission. By doing this and banding together making strength in numbers, we will be working with four congressmen instead of one. We thank Congressman (Leonard) Lance for all he has done for Manville, but this will get him some assistance. The mayors are presenting this to the rest of their councils and will respond to us with a resolution joining the team. So, at this time I am formally disbanding the Manville Flood Committee, moving in the commission direction. The name of the commission will be the Raritan & Millstone River Flood Control Commission.
”This Mayor and Council will continue to work as a team and address the needs of the residents as they are brought before the council.
”I ask you to please remember our troops that are serving in Iraq and Afghanistan as well as all others serving around the world.
”I would like to extend my thanks to the Somerset County Board of Freeholders for their efforts in shared services provided to the borough this year under the purchasing Co-op. Also, a special thanks for the recent $1 million grant for the turf field for the Manville School District, which is completed and has been dedicated at a beautiful ceremony for Mr. Ned Panfile.
”I will continue the challenge ahead of me and look forward to tackling upcoming issues with this council and being successful in addressing them. I continue to ask for your thoughts and prayers to give me the strength and knowledge I will need.
”I would like to extend thanks to all department heads, employees and volunteers for their cooperation which I have received in these past three years. It is your hard work and dedication that makes our community a great place to live in. Keep up the good work. My door is always open to you. May God Bless you all. Many thanks for your support and thank you all for being here today. Happy New Year,” she said.
The meeting ended with Mayor Zuza announcing the Citizens of the Year. This year there were Co-Citizens of the Year Scoutmaster Jim Kelly and Cub Master Bruce Hixson both of 193. The gentlemen received a plaque recognizing their honor.
Afterwards, Council President Lynn gave a few words regarding the upcoming year.
”I am very excited to be named council president,” she said. “My intention is to improve communication between the council and the community. In that regard, we (the council) need to make better use of the technology that is available to us. I’d like to also investigate the possibility of sending out regular electronic correspondence letting people know of upcoming meetings, events and the like. With everything that goes on in town, between the schools, churches, volunteer organizations, veteran’s organizations, athletic teams, business community, library and senior citizens, I think everyone would benefit from a community calendar. It would be nice if we could partner with the school system and/or library in that regard. There is something for everyone here in Manville we just need to make it easier for people to find.”

