posted: February 12, 2009
The foremost issue on the minds of our community,
and indeed, the entire nation, is clearly the economy. Each day, news of job
losses, home foreclosures and business bankruptcies remind us of the fiscal
problems we face, both individually and as a community. Fortunately, here in
Demarest, we have been planning for a 'rainy day' for some time, and I am
hopeful that we will weather the storm better than most municipalities. Hope
alone, however, will not get the job done. For this reason, I have met with
our municipal department heads and ordered that they all tighten the proverbial
belt, deleting any discretionary spending, limiting overtime activity where
possible, and delaying non-essential equipment and supply purchases.
I implore the local and regional school boards to
heed this call to action and do the same. I know our local trustees and
regional delegate are equally sensitive to the current fiscal crisis, and I
look forward to working with them to explore ideas to curb unnecessary
expenditures and share more duplicate services to get more bang for your
property tax dollar.
I am pleased to report the
inclusion in this year's municipal budget of more than a quarter million
dollars in one time non-property tax revenue grants intended to fund such
initiatives as Safe Routes to School, bicycle path improvements and long
awaited downtown streetscape improvements, including lighting and landscaping
upgrades. These grants will allow the improvements with no impact to our
property tax levy.
On January 30, I traveled to Washington, D.C. and
personally visited with several members of the New Jersey Congressional
delegation, including Senator Robert Menendez and Congressman Frank Pallone, to
enlist their assistance in obtaining much needed public infrastructure funding
for projects that are 'shovel ready'. I hope to have more to report in this
area shortly.
As winter concludes, please be cautious of
pedestrians, bicyclists and other non-automobile occupants of our local
streets, to ensure the safety of all our residents.
WARMEST REGARDS, I AM,
MAYOR JIM CARROLL
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