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| ROSELAND ISSUES
(HOW OUR 7-0 REPUBLICAN GOVERNING
BODY IS HANDLING ISSUES IN ROSELAND) |
| Both candidates for Roseland Borough Council are encumbents
who serve under the current governing body. The current governing body has
tackled all Borough issues in a professional and timely manner as addressed
in the June 2011 'State of the Borough Address' by Mayor John Duthie. |
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| June 2011 State of our Borough Address
by Mayor John Duthie |
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In January of this year I delivered the 2011 Mayors message
which embraced the thoughts and goals of the governing body to our residents,
to the departments, boards and committees within our borough, and to our
other taxpayers.
Some of the major points from January’s message are as
follows:
The world continues to endure the worst economic environment since the great
depression and Roseland is not immune. Sources of revenue for the borough
have declined sharply under recent previous administrations. We stated that
in 2011 our focus would be to reduce expenses, to streamline services without
sacrificing the quality of the service our residents’ receive, and to
find ways to generate new sources of revenue. We challenged all departments,
boards, and committees to put forth their best efforts, to cast aside what
is in the best interest of the individual, and to do what is in the best
interest of our entire community. We went on to say that “together”
we could prevail through these unquestionably difficult times.
We are pleased to provide all interested parties with a progress report.
The state of our borough is strong. We are stronger today than we were when
this governing body took control on January 1, 2011. To date we have accomplished
the following:
Last year’s governing body was forced to exhaust $600,000 in surplus
funds to fill a void in the borough’s budget.
This year the $600,000 was not available to us. Therefore, we faced a $600,000
reduction in revenue. Through across-the-board departmental budget cuts we
were able to make up for the $600,000 year-over-year loss of
revenue.
This governing body assigned each department an allocation of funds. Under
our plan, it is the department head’s responsibility to run their department
effectively without exceeding their allocated amount.
The department heads have all complied with the new strategy which enabled
the governing body to make up for the loss in revenue and to introduce and
adopt a budget within the time limitations and requirements that New Jersey
State Law imposes.
I thank Councilperson Richard Leonard who is the Chairman of the Administration
and Finance Committee and our Chief Financial Officer Maureen Chumacas for
all of their hard work. I also thank all the department heads – Chief
of Police Richard McDonough, Superintendent of Public Works Gary Schall and
Recreation Department Head Michael Colitti and General Counsel Ethan Jesse
Sheffet who all (with the assistance of Borough Administrator Thomas Kaczynski)
sharpened their pencils to reduce the costs of their respective department
budgets.
We were able to save $150,000 by renegotiating the police
contract.
Earlier this year, the governing body sent a letter to the Police Union
requesting them to consider opening up their contract and to commit to
concessions. We are pleased to report that, our police, being cognizant of
the hardships we as a borough face due to the poor economy, did agree to
meet with members of the governing body. The Police Union agreed to what
amounts to $150,000 in concessions for the calendar year.
The agreement that we reached was an amicable one. We were able to avoid
demotions and layoffs. We will continue to offer our residents the great
level of service that we have all come to expect from our Police
Department.
I thank Councilpersons Mark Vidovich and David Jacobs for their efforts in
the negotiations. Both men demonstrated their professionalism, business acumen,
and strong communication skills for the benefit of Roseland’s residents.
The governing body extends our thanks to our Police for all that they do
for us every day!
We were able to save $95,000 per year by entering into an inter-local shared
service agreement for our Building Inspection services. The Borough of Roseland
continues to maintain its building department, providing the highest level
of service and using State Licensed Inspectors. We continue to provide residents
with building permit applications, plan reviews, plan approvals and building
inspection services. We do all of this and still realize a savings of $95,000
by simply engaging with a neighboring community for the use of their inspectors.
This wonderful arrangement was achieved as a result of our governing body
coming together for the good of Roseland.
I thank Councilpersons Richard Leonard and Peter Smith for all of their hard
work and bringing this shared service agreement to fruition.
We were able to generate new revenue in the amount of $80,000 per year by
leasing Borough owned real estate. The Borough had vacant surplus real estate
that past administrations had failed to rent. This governing body developed
a plan to rent the empty space. Our plan was to create several different
types of available rental space in an effort to appeal to various potential
tenants.
We owe thanks for this new $80,000 revenue stream to Council President Thomas
Tsilionis. He had the forethought while campaigning and promised that our
surplus space would be made marketable to prospective renters. It was Tom
that suggested that we move our Recreation Department, Board of Health and
Tax Assessor offices from our Borough Hall building across the street into
our old Borough Hall building. That move established new life in the old
Borough Hall and freed up space in the current Borough Hall.
Council President Tsilionis and Councilperson Leonard engaged The Progress
newspaper who ran a front page story speaking of our rentable
space.
Our new tenant saw that article and has entered into a lease where they will
occupy the entire second floor of our Borough Hall. The lease commencement
date is June 15, 2011. To reiterate, the borough will receive $80,000 in
new revenue from this new lease.
Councilpersons Michele Tolli and Michael Colitti, the Recreation Department
head, and the staff of the Recreation Department all worked diligently to
facilitate the move with dispatch.
I thank Councilperson Peter Smith, Gary Schall, the Superintendent of Public
Works, and the staff of the Department of Public Works for their efforts
in making this essential move in a timely and orderly fashion.
We were able to save $30,000 this year by entering into an inter-local shared
service agreement for our IT (Information Technology) services.
Roseland had a part-time employee who worked 15 hours per week and “on
call” fulfilling some of the Borough’s IT needs. That part-time
employee was paid in excess of $60,000 per year.
The governing body resolved to eliminate that position and to enter into
a shared service agreement. The Borough now has a team of IT professionals
who provide us with expanded capabilities. Our team of professionals is available
to us at all times, day and night. This team of professionals is overseen
by Council President Thomas Tsilionis whose extensive background in information
technology is a huge asset to our entire community. To reiterate, the Borough
will save $30,000 this year alone from this inter-local arrangement.
We were able to save $24,000 per year, for each of the next three years,
by entering into a new solid waste collection contract. We were able to include
the collection of electronic waste in our newly negotiated
contract.
This savings is a huge win for the Borough. Not only did we negotiate the
substantial savings when fuel prices are at an all time high, but we were
able to negotiate the addition of electronic waste disposal.
I thank Councilperson Peter Smith and Gary Schall, Superintendent of Public
Works, who worked hard on drawing up the bid solicitation that resulted in
the new contract and the cost savings. To reiterate, the Borough will save
$24,000 per year for each of the next three (3) years.
We were able to save $20,000 this year by taking advantage of energy
deregulation. Roseland will continue to obtain the exact same electric delivery,
and electric service, while we continue to be a customer of
PSE&G.
I thank Gary Schall, Superintendent of Public Works and Maureen Chumacas,
Borough CFO, for initiating contact with and securing the best price from
Roseland’s new energy supplier.
We were able to reign in our legal expenses. We have worked arduously to
mitigate legal fees, costs and expenses.
Two long-term cases against the Borough were dismissed earlier this year.
The complainants’ agreed to have their cases dismissed with prejudice
and the Borough paid no money to either complainant.
Costly litigation was averted and the matters are concluded. Three (3) additional
suits were brought against the Borough this year and all three (3) have been
resolved with no payment by the Borough and with minimal legal expense
incurred.
I thank Ethan Jesse Sheffet, Borough Attorney, for all of his legal expertise
and prowess. It is through his effort and willingness to take on matters
that had once been contracted out to others that has produced favorable results
for the Borough and saved us tens of thousands of dollars.
The governing body has obtained a $50,000 grant which has been used to pay
some of the cost of new HVAC equipment which has been installed atop the
Borough Hall building.
We have been putting forth a lot of effort to get State DOT approvals to
install traffic cameras to monitor the intersection at Eisenhower Parkway
and Eagle Rock Avenue. Traffic cameras have been proven to create safer
intersections and save lives. Further, automated traffic light violations
will produce another new and much needed source of revenue to our
Borough.
We have accomplished a lot of good in a very short period of time. I am proud
to serve with the other members of our governing body and our
professionals.
None of these great accomplishments would have occurred without the guidance
of Thomas Kacynski, our Borough Administrator. I thank Tom for his perseverance
and strong will in seeing that our plans materialize.
Together we have met the challenges that have been presented to us and we
seized upon our opportunities. We continue to call on all interested parties
to do what is in the best interests of the entire community. We appreciate
the support that we have received along the way.
Be assured that we will continue to take care of Roseland’s business
in a professional and competent manner. |
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