By Lea Kahn, Staff Writer
In front of a roomful of friends and family, Township Committeeman Ed Trzaska and Township Committeewoman Patricia Graham were sworn into office at the Montgomery Township Committee’s annual reorganization meeting Jan. 5., Committeeman Trzaska and Township Committeeman Richard Smith were elected to serve in the ceremonial posts of mayor and deputy mayor, respectively, for 2017., An obviously pleased Mayor Trzaska said this is the third time that he has been chosen to be mayor, having served as mayor in 2012 and 2013. He credited his wife and 5-year-old daughter for their support, adding that his daughter is a constant reminder of why he is serving, and the importance of protecting the quality of life in Montgomery Township., In his inaugural remarks, Mayor Trzaska said Township Committee will adhere to its core governing principles of doing more with less, protecting the public health and safety, and preserving the township’s rural character while enhancing the commercial sections in town., Mayor Trzaska pointed to Township Committee’s accomplishments in the past several years, including spending below 2005 budget levels and eliminating $30 million worth of debt. More than 30 municipal streets have been repaved, repaired or reconstructed in the two past two years at a cost of more than $5 million, he said., More than 600 acres of land has been purchased for open space preservation, the mayor said. This includes the land that makes up Skillman Park. He said he is “passionate” about protecting the township’s rural character, and hopes to preserve more land., But perhaps the major initiative for Township Committee this year is to replace the current Municipal Building, Mayor Trzaska said. It has considered expanding and renovating the building, which was built more than 50 years ago, but no decision has been made., “We have been researching all possibilities to address our municipal building needs, not just for today, but also for the next 30 or 40 years. We are down to the final stages of our review,” he said., “Whatever the final decision turns out to be, we are proud that this initiative has been made possible by our hard work to get out finances in order. Our years of aggressively paying down debt will allow us to cover this initiative with no impact to our current budget or tax levels,” Mayor Trzaska said., Deputy Mayor Smith focused his remarks on the development activity that is occurring in the northern end of the township, in the area of Belle Mead-Griggstown Road and Route 206, and also at the southern end of the township on Route 206 at Route 518., Deputy Mayor Smith pointed out that commercial development in those locations is outlined in the township’s Master Plan. He also noted that commercial development in the northern end of the township was approved nearly 20 years ago, when the Pike Run housing development was approved., The commercial development in that area is expected to generate about $5 million in property taxes, which will help to “drive down” property taxes for residents, he said. That is part of the answer to the most common question asked of township officials — why are the property taxes so high and what can be done about it, he added., At the other end of the township, ground is expected to be broken on the Montgomery Promenade shopping center on Route 206, south of Route 518, he said. “It will give Montgomery some of the family-focused amenities that we have been asking for, for a long time.”, The 300,000-square-foot Montgomery Promenade shopping center will have an 11-screen movie theater, restaurants, bowling lanes, a sports bar and an assortment of other stores., “To the north (on Route 206), across Route 518, we are closer to approving the overlay development that will continue the transformation of the Village Shopper shopping center, the former Kepner-Tregoe property and the corner properties around the Tiger’s Tale into a mixed-use, village-themed center,” Deputy Mayor Smith said., Committeewoman Graham, who served as mayor last year, said she is looking forward to continuing the work of the township. She recounted the challenges that faced the township last year, from the municipal budget to the Transco pipeline in the township and Transco’s proposed natural gas compressor station in Franklin Township., “Township Committee gets to set goals and policies,” she said, but it is up to Township Administrator Donato Nieman and the staff to keep the town running smoothly. She also took a moment to praise the volunteers who serve on the township’s advisory boards and committees., Committeewoman Christine Madrid and Mark Conforti agreed that the succession plan for the Police Department worked out well. Police Capt./Director Robert Palmer retired in October, and Lt. Thomas Wain was promoted to captain and police director., “Retirements are never easy, but the resultant change provides an opportunity to shape the future of one of the most important services Montgomery Township provides. The Police Department is in good hands,” Committeewoman Madrid said., Committeeman Conforti was pleased that the vacancies caused by Capt. Palmer’s retirement and other officers, as well, were filled from within the department. Lt. Wain was promoted to captain and the three lieutenant vacancies were filled from within, he said.
