Mayor's Message

High Quality of LIfe Tops 2008 Agenda

By Mayor Gerard P. Scharfenberger Ph.D.

As the new year gets underway, I want take this opportunity to say what an honor and privilege it is to serve as the mayor of Middletown once again, and to thank the residents for the trust they have put in me as I begin my second term on the township committee.  I am anxious to roll up my sleeves. Here’s an outline of the many initiatives that the Township Committee will be undertaking this year. 

There is perhaps, no other issue quite as volatile to New Jerseyans as property taxes.  It is no secret that we in New Jersey pay the highest property taxes in the country.  Our system of funding schools and the lack of adequate aid to suburban towns such as Middletown, has put a disproportionate burden on the local property owner.  To make matters worse, the state is burdening local government with unfunded mandates, expensive COAH obligations and immense pension contribution requirements.    Unfunded mandates are directives given by the state which increases local budgets, with no funding from the state.  Thus, while we strive to keep taxes down, the state takes it upon itself to raise taxes at the municipal level.  Also, salary increases as well as increases in the cost of goods such as fuel, utilities and equipment must be absorbed into the township budget.  The state-mandated property revaluation is also costing Middletown a half a million dollars a year over five years.  Despite these obstacles, the Township Committee is doing everything humanly possible to operate the town in as cost-effective and efficient a manner as possible. 

During the first stage of the budget process, the township administrator automatically asks each department head to cut the budget of each of their respective departments.  Also, since 1988, we have downsized the township workforce by 52 employees, or 13%.  To help cut costs further, we will aggressively pursue the expansion or addition of new interlocal agreements between Middletown and other municipalities to help maintain the same level of services while sharing the costs and labor.  Additional sources of revenue will also help to pay for essential services without relying on tax dollars.   Some of the sources of revenue that I want to consider are solar and wind power, which will lower energy costs and allow excess energy to be sold back to the grid.  Also, our newest committee member, Sean Byrnes, has agreed to seek out new sources of revenue to pay for essential services and state mandates to help avoid a state-sanctioned tax increase.

The Economic Development Task Force has been staffed and will begin the task of promoting, attracting, and retaining commercial and industrial development in the township while emphasizing the redevelopment and revitalization of substandard and underutilized properties, in order to expand the commercial tax base while minimizing the impact on open space.

The Green Initiative passed last year will be expanded this year to implement many long-range energy and cost saving programs.  Middletown is currently working with Westwood, New Jersey on the feasibility of utilizing used vegetable oil to power township vehicles.  We have begun discussions with companies about converting township buildings to solar energy.  We will also begin replacing incandescent light bulbs, with cost-saving LED light bulbs.  These are just a few of the ideas that we are looking to put into effect this year as we look to save energy and cut costs.

The deputy mayor and I have already spoken to one of our federal representatives for help in addressing the onerous and costly increases in affordable housing mandates from the state that threaten to cost Middletown taxpayers millions of dollars over the next few years.   

The search for a new township administrator is well underway and as of this writing, we have reviewed the resumes of nearly thirty applicants.  It is a painstaking process, but one that is worthy and necessary in order to find the absolute best and most qualified individual for this critical role in managing Middletown’s affairs.

The Recreation Master Plan is nearly complete, and the Township Committee looks forward to using it to help address the wide variety of recreation needs in the township.  The first installment of the Neighborhood Preservation Grant program will allow us to invest in making improvements and preserving the character of North Middletown through a variety of programs.  We also look forward to receiving the federal funding this year to provide relief from flooding for the long-suffering folks of Belford, Leonardo and Port Monmouth. 

We are also currently in the process of reviewing the way the township provides services such as brush and leaf collection, which will be improved as adjustments are made for changes in the environmental cycle and available collection methods.

I would also like to explore the possibility of bringing a farmer’s market to Middletown.  This would give local farmers a venue for selling their produce, create revenue for the township, keep customer dollars in Middletown, rather than in farm markets in neighboring towns, and foster community spirit in a centuries-old tradition.

Most importantly, I and the rest of the township look to use everything in our power to keep Middletown affordable while improving the high quality of life we enjoy here.  With the help of the magnificent township administration, workforce and volunteers, Middletown is certainly up to meeting the many challenges that lie ahead to preserve the way of life that resulted in Middletown being voted 50 out of the top 100 places to live in America by Money Magazine.

This article appeared in the February 2008 edition of Middletown Matters, the township's official newsletter.