By Kayla J. Marsh
Staff Writer
SHREWSBURY – On July 19, 1926, the first official council meeting of the Borough of Shrewsbury was held.
Nine decades later, at the council’s Jan. 4 reorganization meeting, Mayor Donald Burden reflected on the borough’s history and looked ahead to more prosperous years for residents.
“Insuring the public safety of our community remains the number one responsibility of this council,” Burden said.
He said in 2015, the police department welcomed numerous replacement officers, upgraded its feet of vehicles and expanded training programs, while council also approved the replacement of a new ladder truck for the Shrewsbury Hose Company and a replacement ambulance for the First Aid Squad.
“This major investment supports our volunteer organizations, providing essential equipment to serve our citizens during unexpected emergencies,” Burden said.
One goal for 2016, Burden said, is for council to turn its attention to the needs of the Department of Public Works (DPW), assessing equipment and exploring shared services opportunities to better insure that safe and reliable support is being provided to residents.
“Shrewsbury residents rely on the DPW for timely snow removal operations, leaf and brush removal, park and field maintenance and bulk pick up,” Burden said.
During the meeting, the council also approved the largest list of residents to assume positions on the borough’s different boards and commissions.
“What an absolutely fantastic record of volunteerism to oversee the functions of borough government,” Burden said.
Burden also reflected on council passing a resolution to opt-out of the Monmouth County Assessment Demonstration Program.
“This action triggered the need to sort out how Shrewsbury will address the tax assessment issue going forward,” Burden said. “This matter will consume the creative talents of members of the Finance Committee, our tax assessor and our tax collector to recommend to council an equitable and workable process going forward.”
Burden said a major disappointment in 2015 was the delayed resurfacing of Broad Street by a state agency.
“Everyone in town is aware of the deplorable rapidly deteriorating condition of this major thorofare,” he said. “We will be bringing to bare as much pressure as possible to get the project done.”
The resurfacing of Sycamore Avenue being postponed was also a disappointment according to Burden.
“The one hidden advantage of this postponement is the possibility of incorporating clearly marked bike lanes … utilizing input from Fair Haven and Rumson who were successful in integrating marked bike lanes in county sponsored road improvement projects,” he said.
During 2016, work will begin to improve Manson Park and Fields and action will take place regarding some major business properties.
One question on many residents minds, however, what is happening with the historic Wardell House?
“Believe me, if I had an answer or this council had an answer, we’d be shouting it out,” Burden said. “The issues are extremely complicated.
“This past year, the Four Corner Properties – the Allen House, the Quaker Meeting House, Christ Church and the Presbyterian Church, have all engaged in major renovation and refurbishing projects adding new focus to the Four Corners.
“It is our time to figure out what we can and will do with the Wardell House before it further blights the corner of Broad Street and Sycamore Avenue.”
Despite some issues, Burden said he is looking forward to a prosperous 2016 and thanked all employees’ community members for their hard work and dedication to the borough.
“The challenges facing this council in 2016 are perhaps unprecedented, but I am confident that this council consists of very talent individuals all united in doing what is best for Shrewsbury,” he said.