Mayor Kelly A. Yaede offered her State of the Township Address Tuesday, outlining her goals for Hamilton in 2014 and beyond.
by James McEvoy, Managing Editor
HAMILTON — Mayor Kelly A. Yaede offered her State of the Township Address Tuesday, outlining her goals for Hamilton in 2014 and beyond.
Among the initiatives the mayor identified in her remarks, which was sponsored by the MIDJersey Chamber of Commerce and given at the Stone Terrace, was exploring energy aggregation.
Under such a program, residents could realize energy savings by utilizing the purchasing power of a large pool of users.
”Because of bulk purchasing, third-party suppliers typically provide lower energy supply prices for consumers. It can lower energy costs for all of a town’s residents and businesses,” Mayor Yaede said, noting the township already participates in bulk purchasing for municipal buildings.
The township saves $180,000 annually through such bulk energy purchasing, she said.
Under an energy aggregation program, PSE&G would still distribute energy. In addition, the utility company would still bill users as well as perform restoration efforts.
The program has been discussed in neighboring Robbinsville Township while nearby Plumsted Township initiated an aggregation program in 2012 and renewed it in October.
Plumsted officials have said the program resulted in a collective savings of $400,000, or approximately $125 for each ratepayer last year when compared to JCP&L rates.
She also slammed the state government for a different energy-related fiscal issue — energy tax receipts.
”Your municipal government does not have a spending problem,” the mayor said. “Rather, your municipal budget is impacted by your state government. Each year, state government finds a way to take your money, collected through your energy bills, which have always been returned to your municipal government to offset your property tax bill, so that they can balance their budget.”
She said the state has taken approximately $5 million that could otherwise have been used locally since 2010.
Though she acknowledged the state hasn’t been receptive to previous calls for the return of energy tax receipts, an issue in last November’s campaign that saw Republicans sweep municipal elections, she promised efforts would continue.
Mayor Yaede also touted the planned expansion of the township animal shelter. Last week, the Township Council formally awarded a $1.1 million contract for the work.
She talked about the need for the shelter while holding one of its residents — a dog named “Duke.”
”Hamilton is an animal-friendly community with a beautiful dog park with very compassionate owners. We can no longer tolerate an animal shelter that can no longer offer the capacity that is required,” she said. “This year we will begin a desperately needed expansion at our animal shelter so pets like Duke can continue to receive humane treatment at our facility.”
The mayor also announced there will be official Hamilton police Facebook and Twitter accounts created to provide residents will public safety notices and crime prevention tips.
”These additional tools will help our police to keep our families, neighbors and friends safe,” the mayor said. “I’m eager to begin our strides forward, toward a better and brighter tomorrow, today.”
The mayor also addressed township finances and the need to entice more businesses to come to Hamilton, referring to the township as a “retail Mecca.”
In a formal response to Mayor Yaede’s address, the Hamilton Township Democratic Club called on the mayor to provide more specifics about her initiatives and inferred her budget comments implied more cuts in personnel and services.
”The mayor has given a clear message that this year’s coming budget will not contain a tax increase, the lay-off of township employees, a reduction in township services or an increase in township fees,” read the statement.
In the response, the club also criticized the lack of broadcasted municipal meetings and renewed calls for the mayor to facilitate the meeting of the Advisory Commission of Public Safety, which critics have previously accused the mayor of preventing.
The club also criticized the mayor’s efforts in highlighting public safety successes, pursuing economic development and in the area of municipal finances.
With regards to energy tax receipts, the club encouraged the mayor to work with Assembly Democrats who have pursued legislation to return the funds to municipalities.