Our Montville

Mayor Sandham: Montville stays on fiscal course

Long-term financial planning has kept the township fiscally sound over the last four years, and officials plan to continue reducing debt in 2010, incoming Mayor Jim Sandham said at the organizational meeting of the Township Committee.
Sandham was appointed mayor and Tim Braden deputy mayor by the five-member committee, while new Committeeman Donald Kostka was sworn in to his first term. Kostka ousted the committee's sole Democrat, Jean Bader, shaking up the committee's makeup.

While the governing body in 2010 has only Republicans, the goals remain the same as in the past few years, Sandham said.

The township has reduced its debt by $12 million since 2005 and plans to reduce debt another $18 million over the next six years while still investing more than $15 million in infrastructure and open space, Sandham said.

Continue Reading Daily Record.  See also Sandham facing 'many tough decisions'.

Board and Commission Members Needed

Are you interested in serving on a Township Board, Commission, or Advisory Committee?  The Township Committee will be making appointments at their Reorganization Meeting in January.  Various boards include the Planning Board, Board of Adjustment, Board of Health, Economic Development Committee, Environmental Commission, Historic Preservation Review Commission, Design Review Committee, Drug Awareness-Municipal Alliance, Housing Committee, Recreation Commission, Library Board of Trustees, Residents with Disabilities Advisory Committee, Open Space Committee, and Long-Term Financial Planning Committee.  For information on the functions of the boards and commissions, please visit their respective pages under Township Committees and Boards.

If you are interested in serving, please contact the Township Clerk for the necessary forms to submit.  The forms must be submitted to the Township Clerk by November 30, 2009.   

TC Votes for New Animal Shelter

Updates from Committeeman Art Daughtry:

At the 1/27 meeting the TC voted 5 - 0 to purchase the prefab new animal shelter structure. The new structure will go on the 7 church lane site and the existing building will be demolished.

In the next two weeks the Board of Ed is expected to sign the lease with Montville Township to renovate or construct new Board offices at the 86 River Road site.

The old salt storage barn behind 86 River is scheduled for replacement however the new salt barn will be co located with the county facilities behind the new police station on rt 202. Then the old salt barn at 86 river will be demolished probably along with the old storage barn where the dpw was located.

The lights on rt 202 are finaly done if you haven't noticed.

Regards,
Art

From Elected Officials Corner

Nielson named to 2nd term as Montville mayor

The township committee unanimously returned Mayor Deborah Nielson and Deputy Mayor Jim Sandham to their posts for a second consecutive year at its reorganization meeting on Tuesday night.  Both Nielson and Sandham, who previously ran together in 2005, were administered the oath of office by Assemblyman Jay Webber, R-Morris Plains.

The two Republicans, who easily won re-election, ran on a platform of fiscal responsibility, accountability and the continued protection of Montville’s natural resources, thanked their colleagues. They also singled out their families, municipal employees and township residents for their continued support.

“Thank you to the citizens of Montville for renewing your faith in this old CPA,” said Sandham, a corporate Chief Financial Officer who lives in Towaco. “I look forward to another three years of continued progress for the town.”  Nielson, a NJ licensed Planner and landscape architect who is a Longview resident, said it was “an honor and a privilege” to be re-elected.

She highlighted the municipal accomplishments made in 2008, specifically the township’s achievement of the prestigious AAA bond rating, commitment to modify the Route 46 corridor and adoption of a master plan for Towaco. See Daily Record.

Photo hat tip: Pat Ferrara

"Environmental Mayor" Takes Aim at Clear Cutting

Montville's Deb Nielson has been described as an "environmental mayor" due to her advocacy for the environment.  A NJ licensed planner and landscape architect, Nielson has long served on the Open Space (past chair) and Environmental Committees.  She brings that committment to her fight against clear cutting the 7 miles of utility company right of way:

In the township of Montville, which is host to approximately seven miles of PSE&G transmissions lines at a width of 150 feet, there is the potential for up to 127 acres of clear cutting. This is the practice of cutting all trees in a designated area regardless of size and maturity. In 2008 eleven spans in Montville were clear cut and more of the 33 spans of transmission lines in the township are scheduled for "maintenance" in 2009.

And while 30-day notification of maintenance work is provided, the municipalities want more. Montville Mayor Deborah Nielson attended the BPU meeting to share the concerns of her constituents.

"We don't want them to tell us, this is what we're going to clear cut, we're looking for a management plan. We want to hear about what can be saved and must be cut.  Before 2006 the utilities did work with the property owners but since the new rules went into effect no matter what the homeowner says the land is clear cut," she explained
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Nielson added that the same notification has been sent for years however the new version has just a one-sentence change, and that was where they said they would be clear-cutting.

The effect of clear-cutting on suburban communities was of great concern. "The small town appeal of our community is diminished solely from this over aggressive BPU mandated maintenance policy," said Nielson.   See Neighbor News.

Republicans renew effort for online state database

Montville's own Joe Pennacchio aims to increase transparency, ability to track N.J. spending - Republican state lawmakers Monday renewed their push for the state to establish a user-friendly, online database allowing people to track every dollar the government spends.

Flanked by like-minded national activists and local officials, bill sponsor Sen. Joseph Pennacchio, R-Morris, said people have a right to easy access about state revenue, spending and debt, current and historical.

"Lack of transparency feeds into that cynicism in New Jersey that voters have, that citizens have, that feeling of helplessness," said Pennacchio, R-Morris.

"We as New Jersey citizens well know that the more sunshine that gets shown on how money

PUBLIC HEALTH ALERT

It has been reported that a number of infants in China who have consumed Chinese manufactured infant formula are suffering from kidney stones, a condition which is rare in infants. The Chinese manufactured infant formula may be contaminated with melamine. Melamine artificially increases the protein profile of milk and can causes kidney diseases such as those seen in these Chinese infants.

The FDA is asking local officials to work with the Agency to assist with the removal of any Chinese infant formula found on store shelves, and to warn residents, especially members of the Asian community to avoid using Chinese manufactured infant formula.  See Fox News.

Video of Township Committee discussing HPRC

                                                                                                   

                                      
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                                        Video courtesy of Rob Lefkowitz.  Discuss on OurMontville blog.

Thinking of leaving NJ? - Join the club!

Elizabeth Cotter of Montville's Towaco section said she gives Corzine an F.

Cotter said her family is planning to leave New Jersey within the year, most likely in favor of a low-tax state like Texas or Florida.  "We are getting annihilated with taxes," the 43-year-old Republican said. "Our car insurance is through the roof. Food is very expensive. Health insurance is more available in these other states."

"Obviously, I'm disappointed we're leaving," said Cotter, a mother of three who is earning a nursing degree. "But my bank account is being strangled. We can't survive here any more. So we're migrating -- like so many other people are being forced to do."  See Daily Record.

5-27-08 Township Committee Meeting

Video & Notes courtesy of Rob Lefkowitz.  Discuss on OurMontville blog.

First item on the agenda was the budget review. The public was invited to ask questions. The only questions asked were why an appropriation was requested for a large flat screen monitor and new digital camera to support the clerk’s work for the Montville Messenger, if the request was actually granted, and whether there had been some change in the agreement with the publisher of the Messenger that now required to town to do this work.