Editor’s note: The following is a transcript of the State of the Borough Address, given by Jeff Kasko at the Jan. 17 Mayor’s Breakfast.
Thank you, Jack. Good morning everyone.
I would like to thank everyone for being here this morning — especially my fellow Lions and everyone who is volunteering their time and effort to make this event successful. I believe Haddonfield continues to be an exceptional place to live due to the involvement, dedication and hard work of so many people across town.
To those of you working with the children of this town — with school organizations, PTAs and town athletic leagues — thank you for your dedication. To those who serve on borough boards and commissions — and on the board of education — thank you for your time.
To the many residents who attend meetings and events like this, and who contact me and my fellow commissioners with ideas, opinions, comments, advice and feedback — both positive and negative — thank for you caring so much about our town and for your contributions. To my fellow commissioners and all borough staff members, thank you for your service, your counsel and for helping me function more effectively as mayor.
And lastly, thank you to previous mayors and commissioners, who continue to provide me with guidance and advice when called upon.
Before reporting on the state of the borough, I would like to bestow two special recognitions.
The first is to the members of Haddon Fire Company №1. As most of you know, this past year, we celebrated the 250th anniversary of our volunteer fire company. Those of you who volunteer your time and talent as fire fighters embody a true sense of service and dedication to the safety of others and to the well-being of our town. Please join me in thanking these special volunteers, some of whom are here with us this morning, for all that they do.
The second is to my wife and family. As some of you know, Teri had to face a serious health issue last year — and that turned our world upside down. But her determination and stamina through treatments and surgeries and recovery, and the gracious support, prayers, thoughts and assistance from so many friends and neighbors in this town, and even from people in town who did not know us that well, made all the difference and is something for which both of us will be forever grateful.
Please join me in recognizing and thanking those who were so generous, and in wishing Teri continued good health and strength as a mother, wife and friend, and as the person who sacrifices so much to be the mayor’s spouse.
Looking back on the past year always leads to memories of the annual town events that make Haddonfield so special. Last year’s mayor’s breakfast, Martin Luther King Day observance, Little League parade, Civic Association Dinner, Memorial Day parade, Independence Day fireworks and parade, Summer craft festival, Halloween parade, Veterans Day program, Christmas Tree lighting and First Night festivities are constant reminders of how much we want to remember the past, celebrate the present and look forward to the future — together.
Our public school system remains one of the best in the state and the nation, with Haddonfield Memorial High School ranking in the top 1 percent of all schools nationwide, according to U.S. News and World Report. Achievements in administration, academics, extra-curricular activities and athletics continue to gain recognition, exemplified by School Superintendent Richard Perry being invited with just 110 others to participate in the recent inaugural Superintendent Conference at the White House.
Our high school athletes also carry on a tradition of success — with 2014 Group state championships in boys winter track, girls winter track, boys tennis, girls track and field, football and boys cross country.
There were many accomplishments by adult residents in 2014 as well, both personally and professionally, including one woman seated as a United States Court of Appeals Judge and one man named as a New Jersey Supreme Court Justice.
We all remember last winter’s harsh, snowy weather, which should make this winter look mild in comparison. After running out of road salt and brine, the snow melted and we faced numerous issues in town — some controversial and some not.
We learned about a county Open Space Fund application to purchase the Bancroft property, which did not end up coming to fruition. We purchased the Boxwood Hall property on Haddon Avenue in order to settle a lawsuit, prevent an unwanted development project and preserve a portion of an historic property for the future.
We had debates over the subdivision of the 605 Warwick Road property, a church parking lot, continued tear-downs and renovations of older homes.
In local government, employees in finance and public works retired, and we welcomed a new deputy borough clerk and new superintendent of public works. As commissioners, we enacted ordinances officially creating and defining the Recreation Commission and Senior Citizens Commission. We also updated and improved our Historic Preservation and Shade Tree ordinances.
The utility infrastructure under Grove Street was replaced last year, and we passed bond ordinances for library renovations, borough hall improvements, equipment, road reconstruction, and water and sewer system improvements.
As everyone is aware, we also held a referendum to sell the water and sewer utility to a private operator, which brought some lively debate and ended in a significant yes vote.
The commissioners also awarded contracts to integrate green, sustainable elements into the town’s Master Plan, and to rebuild and improve our borough’s website, e-payment and social media platforms.
Finally, around town, we witnessed archeological excavations at the Indian King Tavern, and the Haddonfield Outdoor Sculpture Trust dedicated its second public sculpture, known as “Monk,” in front of the Masonic Hall on Kings Highway. And two important town organizations celebrated significant milestones — the Historical Society marked 100 years and the Celebrations Association, 75 years.
At this time, I would like to ask Commissioner Neal Rochford to come forward to comment on Public Safety matters in the borough.
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Thank you, Neal.
At this time, we would normally have Commissioner Moscatelli give a report on Public Works, Parks and Property. As mentioned, John is suffering from a fever and respiratory virus, so he could not be with us in person today. He asked me pass on his regards to everyone in attendance this morning and to report on the following.
A number of public works and property matters were addressed in 2014. The sale of the water and sewer utility took up much of Commissioner Moscatelli’s time during the year. He and a committee of residents thoroughly analyzed the state of our utility infrastructure and the capital investments needed in the future, concluding with a recommendation to the commissioners that we consider transferring its ownership to a private entity.
John wanted to single out our water and sewer employees for recognition, and point out that all were offered positions with New Jersey American Water.
He also wanted to mention his hiring of Greg Ley, our new public works superintendent, and the long-term road plan that has been developed, which shows the need to increase future investments in the maintenance and replacement of borough streets throughout town.
The improved Shade Tree Commission ordinance was also a major endeavor in 2014, and looking ahead to 2015, John wanted to mention work on new guidelines to protect borough trees during construction, construction on the library and the repaving of Grove Street by the county as important projects.
At this time, I would like to give my borough revenue, finance and administration report.
The borough’s fiscal status remained strong in 2014. Last year’s borough budget included a zero percent municipal use property tax increase, for the first time in many years, while continuing all borough programs and services. Several categories of revenue were up in 2014, and we maintain a healthy surplus and excellent bond rating.
We renewed our shared municipal court agreement with Audubon, and we continue to share other services and expenses with the school board, the county and other municipalities. And, our 2014 tax collection rate was very strong — almost 99 percent.
Spending on needed capital improvements included street paving, water and sewer pipe replacements, new boilers for borough hall, and the replacement of borough vehicles and equipment.
The Partnership for Haddonfield, which oversees our downtown Business Improvement District, funded many successful public relations and marketing initiatives, as well as events that continue to attract shoppers and visitors to town, including First Thursdays, Girls Night Out, Love is in the Air, the Craft Festival, Candlelight Shopping, Sidewalk Sales and other events.
As a reward and testament to these endeavors, in addition to our planning and historic preservation efforts, our downtown was named a “Great Place in New Jersey” in 2014 by the American Planning Association.
Before I conclude with a look ahead to 2015, I would like to take a moment to remember those residents and former residents we lost last year. Their contributions to our town will never be forgotten. There are too many to list, but I want to name one individual, Colin Hough, a high school student who was taken way too early, and dedicate the next few moments of silence in his memory.
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As we look ahead in this New Year, numerous issues and challenges await us.
The sale and future use of the Bancroft property, including a possible redevelopment plan, will be a major focus in 2015. So will the transition of water and sewer services to New Jersey American Water.
As mentioned earlier, the completion of the library renovations, the Grove Street reconstruction project, and the subdivision and sale of the Boxwood Hall property will occur in the coming year.
We can look forward to completing green, sustainable elements to the Master Plan and updating that important document with them. Potential tweaks to our zoning ordinance will also be considered this year, as will the updating of our ordinance creating the Human Relations Commission.
We will need to complete negotiations and sign new union contracts with our police and public works employees in the coming months. And we will accept bids and sign another multi-year contract to provide private trash hauling services.
With regard to the borough budget, we will continue to face challenges such as state mandates and increasing costs for wages, health benefits, pensions, vehicles, equipment, buildings and field maintenance, road improvements and insurance. These will be met, in part, by continuing to look at shared services and personnel.
And we will make sure to include residents in discussions about the use of proceeds from the sale of the water and sewer utility.
Finally, I am asking my fellow commissioners, borough staff and residents to join me in launching what I am calling an Efficiency and Accountability Initiative in 2015. I envision this project to include participation in surveys, reviews and recommendations regarding policies and procedures, staffing and job responsibilities, measurements and performance reviews, checklists and priority setting.
The end goal of these efforts will be to implement ways to eliminate redundancy, improve efficiency and accuracy, speed slow processes and approvals, and increase accountability in all departments, programs and processes of borough government.
With this initiative and other decisions to be made, I know we can make our borough government and our great town even better. I hope my fellow commissioners and I can count on your support and your continued involvement in town affairs.
Thank you for being here this morning and for giving me the continued opportunity and privilege of serving as mayor.
