Mayor’s 2007 Year End Message

The Year 2007 can be characterized as a year of discovery and historical change. The governing body took a long hard look and spent countless hours examining the manner in which we do business with our professionals, with the public, with our constituency, and amongst ourselves. Significant changes were proposed and we executed a number of those changes as team of seven; a team of elected officials who came together in principle, despite individual differences and opinions. 

The borough manager’s position was a central focus for council in early 2007 and continued through an extensive search during the spring and summer months. After the consideration of several qualified candidates, including the interim manger, John Corica, the governing body made a unanimous decision. We recognized the strength and value that John had provided us throughout the months of his interim tenure and he accepted our offer to become the permanent manager. Mr. Corica supported and guided us through several changes in the subsequent months to follow and we are grateful to have him on board.

Economic times are tough in Washington, for all New Jerseyans, and nationwide. We realize that the tax burden to our citizens is heavy and we are committed to supporting those efforts that will ease some of the burdens. We supported, by resolution, a legislative change to re-calculate the public school funding formula because we realize that school taxes are the heaviest hit to the constituency. We feel that our local and regional school districts are unfairly funded and are fighting for a more equitable funding formula. It appears as though progress is being made and we hope that in the very near future some relief will come our way.

Our quest to redevelop Washington remains one of our number one priorities. The governing body officially designated certain delineated lots as an area in need of rehabilitation and have identified and prioritized those areas where redevelopment will occur.  In 2008, the planning board will complete the redevelopment plan and present it to the governing body and the public for consideration and eventual adoption. During 2007, we reached out to a number of state agencies and commissions, including the Highlands council, for advice and financial assistance in our quest to revitalize our wonderful community. Positive relations have been made and we expect to apply for and receive grant funding to help us move forward with our plans in 2008.  

We are excited that two redevelopment projects are already well underway. The Regency at Washington is a 98-unit age restricted development that is currently under construction on route 57 at our most easterly boundary. This small adult community will contribute to the ratable base, yet have no impact on our school system. Toll Brothers will also construct a sidewalk that runs from Regency to the downtown area, connecting to the existing sidewalk that begins at Railroad Avenue. This will allow for pedestrian access to our downtown business district.

The Midtown at Washington development is located in the heart of our downtown business district. It has full occupancy commitments for the first floor retail and commercial space and has begun to sell some of the 48 residential condo units. This is another project that will add to our ratable base and is located in an area where Midtown residents will have an opportunity to provide economic support of the local business community.  The success of this project was celebrated in October with a ribbon cutting ceremony that brought hundreds of supporters to the downtown. The Mayor and Council were overwhelmed by the support of the constituency that day. It demonstrated to us that you have faith in our efforts and believe in our purpose to bring economic wealth back into the community.  Redevelopment is a long and arduous journey, but we believe in Washington and the potential it offers. We remain committed to the purpose and are glad to have the community on board. We hope you will join us for the grand openings in early 2008.

The Midtown Developer, Jack Van Cleef, donated $760,000 to the governing body to help purchase lots that are contiguous to the project and the borough's parking lot. This will assist us in providing shared parking for patrons and residents alike. We are currently negotiating with property owners and planning the extension and construction of the existing parking lot. We hope to complete construction in 2008.

We applaud Jim Sheldon and the BID for another year of successful events, the continued support of our redevelopment efforts, and for working with business owners during tough economic times. The success of the Farmer’s Market was highly recognized throughout Warren County and has encouraged the governing body to apply for a sustainable agricultural grant for future opportunities. The Car Show, First Fridays, and other events continue to bring people to Washington and the 2007 Festival in the Borough was a huge success. Washington continues to grow as a destination. The BID has recently purchased surveillance cameras for the downtown business district and is working closely with the police department in a valiant effort to help protect business establishments and the community at large from crime and destruction in our downtown. Early in 2007, the governing body adopted a curfew ordinance that restricts minors under the age of 18 from being out on the streets of Washington between the hours of 11pm and 5am.

Washington continues to participate in the Warren-Morris Council of Governments, a council of local governments that seeks out shared services. This year, the council was awarded $400,000 in PARIS funding to support the participating municipalities in a records management project. This is an extremely important step for the borough to consider and will allow us to store our records more efficiently and consider plans for disaster recovery in the event of a catastrophe.  Our clerk, Kristine Blanchard, has been instrumental in moving this project forward. Washington has recently entered into a shared services agreement with Mansfield Township for the use of our street sweeper and we have re-initiated our shared services committee with Washington Township. Our subcommittees plan to meet in early 2008 to explore services that can be shared between the Borough and the Township.

There were a number of projects planned for 2007; some have been completed, while others are under construction or about to begin. We are most proud of our streetscape project that was completed in late fall of 2007. The BID will purchase park benches and flower pots that will adorn the sidewalks at the break of Spring. The Verdin Clock will be erected as well and all citizens are encouraged to buy a brick to be installed at the foot of the clock, so that your family name can be included as part of Washington’s historic change.

The first phase of the Belvidere Avenue reconstruction project was completed and we have been awarded $150,000 in DOT grant funding to be used towards the completion of phase two of that project. The completion of that road project is expected to begin in the spring of 2008 and will include the construction of sidewalks and curbing north of Carlton Avenue.

After several failed attempts at bidding and awarding contracts, the Municipal Garage project is finally slated to begin in early 2008. This project has been designed, redesigned, scaled down, bid and re-bid a number of times. The final plan will include a garage and salt shed.The 70 x 186 foot garage building has 6 double deep bays for truck and equipment storage accessed by 6 bay doors in the front and 4 bay doors from the rear. There is a repair shop, wash bay, storage room and office space.  The wash bay is a DEP requirement to help keep the salt and oils out of the ground water and streams.  The new garage facility will be located adjacent to our sewer plant and away from the central business district. The current outdated, dilapidated, and inefficient space that currently serves as our public works garage and facility sits upon the Shabbecong Creek in an environmentally sensitive area. Relocation of these facilities will make way for appropriate redevelopment of that area. An updated rendering of this project will be available on our website soon.

The park pool project began in the late summer of 2007. This project also saw many delays but is well underway, with an anticipated completion of spring 2008. This project includes total reconstruction of the wading pool, a new filtration system, new pool decking, new lifeguard stands, new swim team starting blocks, a slide and other upgrades to the pool structure. The recreation commission is to be commended for their efforts in bringing this project to fruition and acquiring Green Acres loan funding to help finance the reconstruction. The borough also made a change to allow ingress and egress to and from the Borough Park off of Broad Street. You can follow the progress of the pool improvement project on our website.

The Washington Meadows soccer field has been re-graded to specifications by Centex Homes and we expect the field to be sodded in early spring of 2008. The recreation commission was instrumental in working with New Jersey American Water Company and a water source was provided so that the recreation commission can properly irrigate the playing fields during the summer months.

The reclamation of Grand Avenue has been designed but lack of funding prohibited this project from being completed in 2007. If adequate funding is available, we anticipate completing this project in early 2008. There are a number of other streets that have been prioritized for repaving and/or reconstruction; however, funding issues will dictate which projects move forward. Please be patient and understand that these street projects are quite costly and that while we always seek DOT and state agency funding, it often falls back on the taxpayers to shoulder the burden of these efforts. This is why we are careful in prioritizing and spreading the projects out over a number of years.

After many long delays with the DOT, the traffic signal at the corner of Prospect Street and Route 57 has been installed and is functioning properly. This will create a safer intersection for children walking to school, who need to cross the busy highway. It will also help vehicular traffic trying to turn west on to Route 57 from South Prospect Street and traffic trying to turn east on to Route 57 from North Prospect Street.

In an effort to address the increase in demand for electrical services, JCP&L informed the governing body that it will be upgrading their existing substation, adding capacity to accommodate the current and future demand loads. This will provide a direct benefit to our community and to the redevelopment efforts in the future. Residents whose properties abut the JCP&L substation have been notified and considered. Accommodations are being made to provide adequate buffers.

The Washington Public Library celebrated their 80^th anniversary this past April and the Washington Fire Department announced plans for their 125^th Anniversary Parade on June 7^th, 2008.  Washington is rich in history and our dedicated employees and volunteers work extremely hard to preserve those moments that we hold dear to our hearts.  

There were two tragic fires that occurred during 2007; both at the hands of arsonists. A house fire on South Lincoln Avenue caused the loss of one man’s life and the devastation to the St. Cloud Hotel caused the loss of residence for all of its occupants. The Washington Fire Department was applauded, once again, for fighting the fires and avoiding the loss of adjacent structures; both in the residential section and the downtown business district. We are fortunate no firemen were seriously injured. Much appreciation goes out to the surrounding communities that sent their firefighters and EMTs to assist us-again.

We begin the year 2008 with the appointment of a new slate of professionals, eager to join in our efforts to provide quality services to the community of Washington and to assist us in moving ahead through redevelopment. It has been over 20 years since a bold move like this has been made and we believe that our new professionals understand that it is a privilege to work in the borough of Washington, not a guarantee; we will continue to hold them accountable for their performance and hope that they begin their tenure with us ready to meet the challenges that lie ahead.

As in past years, the Mayor and Council wish to recognize the tireless efforts of our volunteer firefighters, emergency squad members, recreation commissioners, shade tree commissioners, planning board & board of adjustment members, library board members, and members of other various municipal committees. It is also important to recognize our dedicated police department, road department and the staff at Borough Hall for all they have done in serving the needs of the community during the past year. The community of Washington maintains a focus on Family, Friendship, Faith and Service. All the members of the governing body have been called to serve and were elected by the constituency to act in its best interest. It is my hope that we continue to do so with a healthy balance of humility, pride, grace, truth, determination and fairness to all.