Although the temperature was plummeting Monday night, township officials spread warmth and cheer for a new year in the community during their reorganization meeting.
By Jennifer Kohlhepp, Staff Writer
Although the temperature was plummeting Monday night, township officials spread warmth and cheer for a new year in the community during their reorganization meeting.
After this past year’s election winners, incumbents Ed Trzaska and Patricia Graham, were sworn into office for their next three-year terms, the Township Committee unanimously voted to elect both a new mayor and deputy mayor.
Rich Smith will serve as mayor in 2014. Mr. Trzaska served as mayor for the past two years. Chris Sugden will serve as deputy mayor in 2014. Ms. Graham served as deputy mayor for the past two years.
Mr. Smith said he is proud and honored to serve as the new mayor of Montgomery.
”My fellow committee members have bestowed a great privilege and responsibility upon me,” Mr. Smith said. “I express my sincere appreciation to them for placing their trust in me to lead our local government in 2014. I am committed to serving the people of Montgomery to the best of my ability utilizing my experience in business and engineering with vision, passion and the energy required to achieve the aspirations of our community.”
He thanked all previous mayors who contributed their own unique achievements.
”I thank you for your service,” he said. “In particular, to the outgoing mayor, Ed Trzaska; I admire and appreciate your hard work these past two years. You have certainly improved our township, particularly with your unending desire to meet and communicate with our citizens, balance our budget and improve the quality of life in Montgomery. 2013 was a very productive and successful year for us. We look forward to another great year by staying focused on our core governing principles: do more with less, protect public health and safety services, and preserve Montgomery’s rural character.”
Mr. Trzaska said serving as mayor for the past two years was a remarkable experience.
”We accomplished a lot for Montgomery including holding budget spending to below 2005 levels, reducing township debt by about $15 million, making local government more open and transparent than ever by streaming live and archiving meetings, saving residents $1.4 million in electricity costs, moving forward with significant investments in our roads and police department, and preserving more than 350 acres of additional open space, including the creation of Skillman Park.”
Looking forward to 2014, Mr. Trzaska said he is confident that Mr. Smith will do an outstanding job as mayor.
”We have worked closely on numerous issues, especially regarding future land use in town as the two elected officials on the Planning Board,” Mr. Trzaska said. “We have a lot of challenges ahead on this front, including the development or redevelopment of key commercial pieces of land in town. As a construction professional, Rich is uniquely suited to lead the way on these initiatives and I am eager to help out in any way that I can.”
Mr. Trzaska said he and his wife adopted a baby girl this summer, so 2014 is going to be very busy for him.
”Now is the right time to take a small step back and allow other members of the team to lead,” Mr. Trzaska said. “I serve with an outstanding group of professionals and look forward to another three years on the Township Committee.”
Mr. Sugden thanked his colleagues on the committee and said he was honored to be nominated and voted deputy mayor.
”My track record in 2013 was and my goal going forward is to question everything,” Mr. Sugden said. “If the answer to a question is, ‘because that is the way we have always done it,’ it is unacceptable.”
He said as the township moves forward into 2014 he sees three key priorities for the township — keeping property taxes in check, attracting new and retaining existing local businesses and ensuring local government is serving residents. He also spoke about an initiative to strengthen the link between municipal government and township schools.
”I will be serving in a newly created role of Montgomery Township Committee liaison to the Montgomery Board of Education,” Mr. Sugden said.
During her speech, Ms. Graham emphasized the importance of responsible management of the town’s finances, keeping taxes down and preservation of the township’s rural character and open space.
”I look forward to also continuing our efforts to preserve open space in Montgomery and I am happy to again serve as liaison to the Open Space Committee,” Ms. Graham said. “It should be no surprise to anyone that I am a strong advocate of our open space program and our efforts to preserve the township’s scenic beauty and rural character. Indeed it’s the threatened development of what is now Skillman Park that drew me to local politics several years ago.”
The new mayor highlighted more goals for 2014 in his speech.
”We must continue to balance our budget and not over burden our taxpayers by developing new revenue streams, sharing services and operating as efficiently as we can,” he said.
Last year, the township began the engineering and permitting process in collaboration with Princeton to repair Cherry Valley Road and it looks forward to starting the construction phase later this year, according to Mayor Smith.
”This road has been an important issue to many residents in Montgomery and I have made a commitment to this project and will continue to see it through,” Mayor Smith said.
Skillman Park has undergone a dramatic transformation this year thanks to the efforts of Freeholder Mark Caliguire and Somerset County, according to the mayor.
”The improvements will continue this spring with a two-mile walking path and I encourage everyone to take advantage of this amazing park right in our backyard,” the mayor said.
He also said that the schools are one of the most valued assets in Montgomery.
”We will continue to collaborate with the school district to help each other operate safely and efficiently,” the mayor said.
The township will embark on the development and redevelopment of several important pieces of property that will enhance tax revenue, improve traffic flow and create new and exciting facilities in Montgomery, according to the mayor. He also said that the continual upgrading of the township’s infrastructure, such as treatment plants, roads and other utilities, promotes growth in accordance with the master plan.
”This in turn increases the services required of our planning, zoning, engineering and building departments,” Mayor Smith said. “We will continue to make sure that we efficiently and professionally handle the increased workload with a big focus on customer service towards our residents.”
Over the past few years, the township approved the acquisition or purchase of 10 open space properties totaling over 350 acres, according to the mayor.
”In 2014 we will continue this effort and have already identified a few significant properties that we must acquire to continue our dedication to the preservation of open space and our rural character,” he said.
Finally, he said, there are also many small projects that make a big difference in town such as extending and enhancing walking and biking trails, upgrading the Otto Kaufman Community Center, improving facilities for the police department and videotaping of the township meetings, to name a few.