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Mary-Anna Holden ’s

Mayoral Remarks – January 2, 2008

            As a former Madison statesman Felix L. Auer always says, “A speech to be immortal, does not have to be eternal.”

            My message tonight is not of vision, but of purpose.

            2008 is a year of opportunity of completing priorities set by previous administrations and then abandoned.             My words may be myopic, but we are overdue to “just make things happen.”  The Council will be dusting off its strategic plan designed, but unused, four years ago.  They will set their priorities, and those that the public dictates, and we will stick to them.

            We must learn from our past.

            Benyew D. Philhower captured in his 1914 Madison mayoral address the considerable challenges that he had inherited – the recently erected, at considerable expense, Central Avenue school; the building of the joint meeting; and the rebuilding of the water and light plant.  All were large improvements, wisely made.  And they did materially increase taxes.

            Think back over the last four years and the capital commitments that we as a town have made.  Only the date has changed.

            Words spoken 94 years ago are applicable today.  

            He said, “The taxpayers of the Borough of Madison have perhaps experienced a series of hardships by greater than which they may ever be burdened.  It seems as though it was necessary that a number of large improvements should be made so close together that the Council would only get through with one when another would be forthcoming.

            “The maintenance of the sewer system has also become a new item in our budget and while these items are not especially large, they make up what seems to be a large budget.  Therefore, I desire to impress upon the minds of the several committeemen that will be appointed today the importance of making a useful study of the needs of the different departments of this borough, so that the items of the budget may be kept as small as is consistent with good government.

            “I feel very certain that the needs of this Council will not increase our tax and believe that the natural growth of the Borough will take care of the necessary increase in valuations.”

            The coincidences continue.

            Later in his administration, Mr. Philhower and his Council would have to resolve thorny issues such as stormwater relief, particularly at Greenwood Avenue. 

            He would negotiate a unique public-private partnership with the James family, the Lackawanna railroad company and Borough bonding to give Madison resources to build a “new” train station with its trackbed elevated from grade.  No good deed going unpunished, associated with this capital project was huge controversy caused by the need to close Ridgedale Avenue between Park and Madison Avenues.

            On a high note, trolley service was initiated on the Morris Traction line.

            This year, we too will be stringent in our budgeting and cash management.  We will not only be heeding the advice of our employees, but seeking their labor-saving ideas.  This is to be a bottom-up, collegial administration. 

            To this spirit of cooperation, economies, through inter-local agreements, that we believe may be attained and that will improve health, purchasing, transportation and services particularly to senior citizens are encouraged.

             Also to this end, the Civic Center will become fully handicap-accessible -- with funding already set aside for this purpose – to be able to fully utilize its meeting space particularly as the Madison Community House undergoes major reconstruction this year and to better integrate teens, seniors, health and public assistance.

            Our sewer system – much of which pre-dates Mr. Philhower’s election – is being actively addressed, as will our outdated water metering.  With our electric utility nearing capacity, we will be addressing its growth and capital structure. 

            I ask the Environmental Commission to encourage greening technologies, particularly as they relate to our Electric Utility but also to the Historic Preservation Commission and stepped-up recycling.

            And the parallels to the past persist.

            The three area universities are working to provide a jitney service – a mini-trolley, if you will – to better access goods and services in downtown Madison.  We will continue to work with NJ Transit to capitalize on jitney services they may offer to provide parking alternatives for Madison, Harding, the Chathams and Florham Park commuters.

            However, just getting access to the downtown in its present condition will not be incentive enough to inspire consumers to return.  While I thank the Public Improvement committee of the Downtown Development Commission and the Adopt-a-Space volunteers for their cleanup efforts, it is clear that we need the help of the Chamber of Commerce and the muscle of the Department of Health to instill the importance of cleanliness in the downtown.  Let’s reduce the number of dumpsters in the Waverly Green lot, or at the minimum have their lids closed, for a start. 

            Madison may look picturesque from your car window.  But a walk through the downtown may convince you otherwise.  The downtown, our largest employer, needs priority attention as does the conformance of Lincoln Place’s appearance to the rest of the historic district.

            Just as the raising of the trackbed in 1915 was perhaps the largest challenge that offered the greatest opportunity came with ancillary controversy, so too, in 2008, does fields maintenance and availability.

            Our Recreation Committee has already put in place a volunteer action committee to physically assist Public Works with fields maintenance and cleanup.  Only as we may address drainage issues and other field conditions, can we make the most of our existing playing fields in conjunction with the Board of Education and its programming. 

            The rental of Bayley-Ellard high school will add indoor facilities that were targeted in 1994 as a then “current need.”   By removing fields condition challenges – poor sod, muddy undrained infields, turf hardness, weeds --  only then can we shorten seasons in neighborhood parks by creating an ability to stick to schedules.  These are necessary improvements for the short-term.

            Long-term we will grasp new opportunities such as partnerships with our neighboring communities as we acquire, plan and professionally develop carefully our newest resource, the 53 acres of parkland from Florham Park, into a world-class sports complex and passive recreational facility – eventually shifting recreational focus away from our pocket parks.  We will aggressively seek grant moneys and private donations to bolster public financing for recreational improvements.

            Our greatest hope for 2008 will be the completion of the Police and Fire facility and a smooth transition for the public as well as employees while we utilize other facilities for meetings and office space.  It is our expectation that that the specifications for the historic Hartley Dodge Memorial building’s rehabilitation will be so tightly written as to provide us with the best qualified contractors and thus by comparison, our move from the Hartley Dodge Memorial will be a brief one.

            2008 will have no less of a full plate than 2007. We will stay focused.  Disciplined.  And great results will follow.  We will have a sustainable community, one known for its charm and character, in perpetuity.

             I am fortunate that we have so many knowledgable employees, seasoned members returning to Council and our Boards, and to have the continuing exemplary service of our able administrator Raymond Codey and borough attorney Joseph Mezzacca, Jr.

            I look forward to the next four years of service and pledge to follow the words that sit framed on my desk, the words of General George S. Patton, “If you tell people what you want them to do, but not how to do it, you will be amazed at the results.”  

 

           

Posted 01/28/2008

 

 

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