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Health & Fitness

Message from the Mayor – June 2012

Monthly message from Springfield Mayor Ziad Andrew Shehady discussing Memorial Day, Community Center proposal, Charter Study Commission ordinance and addresses rumors about the Board of Health.

Summer unofficially started in Springfield on Memorial Day weekend!  The Township marked this holiday with an observance and parade.  Our veteran organizations were joined by countless civic, social and youth organizations at Town Hall lawn and at Veterans Memorial Park to remember the men and women who died in military service.  Springfield also kicked-off the summer pool season!  Make sure to stop by the Recreation offices to sign up!  This month we anticipate receiving a report on transitioning all Recreation Department operations to the Community Center.  At our June 26th meeting, the governing body may decide on the proposed plan.  Our agendas this month include an ordinance to place a referendum question on the ballot to establish a Charter Study Commission to explore possible changes in government, an ordinance that clarifies and establishes rules for our parks and recreation facilities and an ordinance that re-constitutes the Board of Health.

There has been much misinformation and unfounded noise circulating about the proposed changes to the Board of Health.  I would like to take this opportunity to provide the facts to the residents.  Springfield has both a Health Department managed by a Health Officer and a Board of Health.  Under State law, Springfield is required to have both and neither can or will be “disbanded."  According to a report by the State, less than half of municipalities in New Jersey have what Springfield has – an “autonomous” Board of Health.  In fact, other municipalities, like nearby Millburn or South Brunswick have gone in the same direction as is being proposed by making the governing body act as the Board of Health.  This provides much greater consistency and needed oversight of public health matters and complements the goals of the Township while reducing costs, streamlining government and increasing efficiency.  Some argue that “autonomy” is in the best interest of the public.  However, “autonomy” allows some entities to go in a different direction from the policies of the elected members of the Township Committee without being held accountable.  Currently, the Board of Health is comprised of political appointees whose terms run for years.  The proposal’s goal, based on State law, solves this problem by having the Township Committee and two residents (and two alternates) with expertise in public health act as the Board of Health to oversee the Health Department.  This is similar to how the Township Committee is charged with overseeing other critical public safety departments like Police, Fire and Emergency Management.  These departments are not overseen by a separate “autonomous” board because the day-to-day operations are handled by the full-time staff.  No differently, the Health Department is run by full-time staff and operations to include any inspections, training or public health services are not the doing of the Board of Health.

The proposal to change the membership of the Board of Health will not have any negative impact to public health and safety and it will allow the Township Committee and the health experts to renegotiate contracts to get more services for less money!  Much like we successfully negotiated union contracts and our healthcare agreement, we are trying to do the same for public health services by exploring shared services with other communities.  The New Jersey Local Boards of Health Association clearly explains, “The board must take a lead in the development of financial resources.”  That was not the case with the Springfield Board of Health since at least 2009 with respect to Animal Control or the Health Department staff.  The Board has grown too comfortable and complacent– if they won’t renegotiate contracts, the Township Committee has a fiduciary duty to do so and it is time for us to step in.  Additionally, the Board of Health has allowed this idea of “autonomy” to negative affect what should be a healthy working relationship with the Township.

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This breakdown in communication has existed since at least 2008 spanning several Mayors and two Administrators.  Just last year, under Mayor Hugh Keffer, the Township Committee voted to change animal control providers and take animal control responsibilities away from the Board of Health.  Over $30,000 was saved by switching to a shared service with Millburn without sacrificing any animal control services.  The Board of Health has been unhappy with this decision and is using stories of coyotes to scare the public.  As per the State, animal control services only deal with dogs and cats unless wild animals, like coyotes, exhibit violence towards humans or are suspected of rabies.  Typically, police are called in response to coyotes.  However, this fear-mongering is not unusual for the Board of Health who has been unwilling to work with the Township for several years.  They have scared away vendors from the Farmers Market and have unnecessarily forced business to attend hearings when the full-time Health Department staff could have simply worked with the struggling, small businesses to get them into compliance and correct violations.  The Board members, while they may be our neighbors and friends whose volunteerism we appreciate, are pulling the ultimate political power play here by scaring and intimidating residents so they can continue to operate without having to answer to anyone.  This proposal is in response to years of lackluster performance by the Board of Health – not because of anything that has just occurred in the past few months.  The President of the State Local Boards of Health Association was even brought in as a mediator and suggested the current Board undergo training to help improve their interaction with the Township.  However, the Board of Health has only made things worse by using the media, e-mails, biased petitions and Facebook as their playground to bully us into letting them maintain the status quo.

What is a Board of Health?  The New Jersey Local Boards of Health Association explains, “A Board of Health sets policies, appoints the Health Officer and hires employees of the Health Department. The Board also reviews all staff reports.”  There is no one better to do that than someone directly elected by you, the residents.  There is no need for another layer of government to do as they please with your tax dollars.  Safety is paramount and it is not in jeopardy without an “autonomous” Board of Health, especially when we have a functioning Health Department. I look forward to seeing you at our annual Independence Day fireworks show on July 4th at Meisel Avenue Park.  I am holding open office hours on Tuesday, June 12th at 6 p.m. and Tuesday, June 26th at 6 p.m.  Please e-mail me at mayor@shehady.us or call 973-797-9423 to schedule an appointment or reserve a time slot.

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