Message from the Mayor – August 2012

You may have noticed several construction is going on all around town.  As residents know all too well, road conditions have deteriorated over the past several years.  This was due to insufficient funding by previous Township Committees.  Regularly scheduled preventative maintenance ensures we are in compliance with safety standards and we minimize the chance of more expensive, emergency repairs.  While there are many roads that need to be paved, our Engineering and Public Works Departments evaluate our countless miles of road and rank them based on technical and structural factors.  These do not necessarily correlate to their surface appearance and annual repaving schedules are based on the monies available and project costs.  Nevertheless, we are mindful of the work that needs to be done and that is reflected in the municipal capital budget which includes provisions for capital and infrastructure improvements.  Additionally, we are anticipating future projects as we develop long-term budget plans.  On August 6, the Township Committee is holding a special meeting to award contracts for these projects so that they can begin immediately before the school season starts.

Recently, the Township Committee adopted Ordinance #2012-19 (Deputy Mayor Jerry Fernandez, Committeeman Marc Krauss and I voted in the affirmative, Committeemen David Amlen and Rich Huber voted in the negative).  This Ordinance authorizes the Township Clerk to place on the November 6, 2012 General Election ballot a question asking the voters of the Township whether or not they wish to establish a Charter Commission to study the charter of the Township of Springfield. 

In response to comments by many residents in Springfield who expressed concern about our Township Committee form of government, we felt it is in the best interests of the residents of the Township of Springfield to review the current charter through the establishment of a five member Charter Commission, which will be charged with the responsibility and be authorized to hold hearings and public forums, to take evidence and to make recommendations in order to determine whether or not, in comparison with other forms of government in this State, the current Township Committee form is the most appropriate for the Township of Springfield. People who feel that our Mayor should be directly elected by the voters (instead of the way it is now) will find this is the first step to making such changes.  The voters will have an opportunity to vote in November to establish this Commission and to elect the members of the Commission. 

Anyone interested in running for the Commission can contact the Township Clerk for more information or visit the Township website for more information.

I would like to thank the Springfield Patriot Chamber of Commerce for organizing our annual free Summer Concert on August 27th. Without their dedication to Springfield and assistance from sponsors like Investors Savings Bank, Mack Camera, Cardinal Land Properties, Hecht Family Chiropractic, Kearny Federal Savings and Hammer Dental Associates, free events like this would not be possible.

I am always interested in meeting with residents to discuss any municipal matters.  Please e-mail me at mayor@shehady.us to schedule an appointment.  Additionally, contact me if you would like to host coffee/tea for neighbors and have me over to speak on any issue(s) of concern to the group.