Two River Mayors Set Goals For the New Year

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One of Middletown’s smallest constituents, Mayor Tony Perry’s daughter, helped with his swearing in for a fourth term at the town’s reorganization meeting Jan. 2. Patrick Olivero

By Allison Perrine

MONMOUTH COUNTY – While many people spent the end of December enjoying the holidays and making New Year’s Eve plans, mayors in the Two River area were thinking about the 2022 goals for their towns.

The Two River Times reached out to local municipal leaders and asked them to reflect on the past year and discuss some objectives for the year ahead. Some responses have been lightly edited for space and clarity. Here’s what they had to say.

What’s one of your goals to accomplish for the town in 2022?

Sea Bright Mayor Brian Kelly

Our team will be working on a school regionalization project with Highlands and Atlantic Highlands. We are in the process of looking at the feasibility of forming a new pre-K through 12 district while going through the process of involving the public and governing bodies in all three towns throughout 2022. This is dependent on state legislation and local buy-in from our towns, but does have great potential for all of us. Assuming this continues to progress, please keep an eye out for town hall meetings, regular public updates, survey results and a great deal of local collaboration in the New Year.

Little Silver Mayor Bob Neff

I have to say that there is no one, overriding goal. That’s a good thing, since the last couple of years have witnessed some significant loan- and grant-funded improvements, especially with respect to sidewalks on heavily-trafficked routes to school and town, drainage improvements, and roadways, many of which were long-standing goals. Lots of time and energy was spent on those safety-related improvements, and while some of that will continue, the focus going forward will be on managing the borough in a fiscally responsible way, which honestly is the goal of any responsible elected official.

We’re also losing our longtime police chief and our administrator/clerk to retirement in the near future and as much as we hate to lose their experience and service, we look forward to the very capable, competent and public-friendly people assuming those positions, and to introducing them to our residents. Those are significant positions, and we think our residents will be pleased.

Highlands Mayor Carolyn Broullon

One of many goals for 2022 is to break ground on the $5 million Waterwitch area sanitary sewer project. The approval from DEP is in its final phase and we are expecting the authorization to go out to bid in January 2022. The project will replace old sanitary mains and laterals for the following streets: Phase 1 – the entirety of Waterwitch Avenue (from Route 36 to Marine Place), North Street, Gravelly Point Road, Ralph Street, William Street, Ocean Avenue, Beach Boulevard, Linden Avenue and Bay Avenue from the circle to Gravelly Point Road; Phase 2 will do the same on Barberie Avenue, Sea Drift Avenue and both sides of Marine Place.

This project is funded through the NJ Infrastructure Bank with a scope of work to include the replacement of portions of the existing sanitary sewer system. Current infiltration and inflow levels overburden the sewer system, resulting in overflow of contaminated water into the streets. This contaminated water flows into the storm water conveyance system that discharges into Jones Creek, creating an unsafe swimming condition further downstream at the Snug Harbor Beach at the Borough’s Community Center.

This partial replacement of the sanitary sewer system is expected to reduce infiltration and inflow, keep the sanitary sewer system within capacity and eliminate contaminated water in swimming areas. This upgrade will also reduce the cost of treating storm water that infiltrates our sanitary system.

Fair Haven Mayor Joshua Halpern

When contemplating goals for the new year, I like to start by reflecting on what was accomplished in 2021. The Borough of Fair Haven had a tremendous year, with substantial improvements to Battin Road, Harrison Avenue and Willow Street. We saw the installation of a turf field at McCarter Park, and the construction and completion of additions to both Sickles and Knollwood Schools. This summer we also saw the return of the Fireman’s Fair, an important tradition that connects so many generations of Fair Haven residents and visitors.

There is much to look forward to in 2022. One of my goals for 2022 is to encourage and facilitate Fair Haven’s committees, commissions and boards to work collaboratively in order to improve efficiency, which will allow the governing body to be more informed as it makes impactful decisions for the benefit of Fair Haven.

Rumson Mayor Joseph K. Hemphill

Here in The Borough of Rumson, we are proud to say that despite the difficulties surrounding the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, borough operations and service to our community have continued at a high level.

Not only have we been able to maintain our level of service, but we’ve had the chance to start a number of substantial projects, such as the groundbreaking on the replacement of Monmouth County Bridge S-32 – Rumson-Sea Bright Bridge – over the Shrewsbury River. The projected timeline for the entire project, which will include the construction of the new structure and the demolition of the existing bridge, is expected to be approximately three years. We look forward to working with Monmouth County on such an exciting project when construction begins in January.

With the return of our Rumson Recreation programs, we have also launched our brand-new recreation website, rumsonrec.org, which provides a more user-friendly experience for families interested in our programs. Not to mention, the Rumson RECognize community blog receives hundreds of views, highlighting the interests, efforts and accomplishments of those in town. With the proper health and safety guidelines in place, as well as this great platform to further connect with our community, we look forward to launching more programs for all ages in 2022.

Holmdel Mayor Gregory Buontempo

As we move forward into 2022, I have three overarching goals which will encapsulate our program for the year. 

Increasing community ties. The pandemic has shown us the importance of maintaining our relationships and finding healthy ways to congregate. One of the ways Holmdel has been at the forefront of this is through our Parks and Recreation program. Throughout the pandemic we answered the call of our residents and local health care providers who asked us to keep these outdoor gathering spaces open so that citizens would have a place to meet up with their loved ones. Our residents place such value on outdoor park space that they overwhelmingly voted to increase our open space tax this last election. 

Addressing stormwater concerns. During this fall’s Hurricane Ida, many homes and properties suffered damage due to heavy rains and flash flooding. To get ahead of this growing problem, the township committee will work with our professionals to identify the best ways to manage and control our stormwater discharge, prevent flooding and protect our residents.

Focusing on local efficiencies. Over the past two years, the township has moved many of its systems and processes online. In the upcoming year, we will continue to find ways to save time and resources by streamlining our operations. One step we will take is transitioning all of our purchasing to be paperless. We will also continue to explore energy aggregation programs which will allow us to achieve greater savings on energy costs. 

Middletown Mayor Tony Perry

One of our biggest priorities is our new municipal building. It’s very near completion and… over the course of the next few months you’re going to be seeing a lot of our departments moving over into this new building and the old town hall coming down. That will be our parking lot. So that’s a big effort to move so many individuals and departments over to this new, beautiful, state-of-the-art building.

We’re moving forward on the construction of our veteran’s housing project on Leonardville Road. We hope to be having the approval of Monmouth County’s Planning Board coming down fairly soon in the first few weeks of January.

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted our businesses, our families, but I think disproportionately it’s impacted our students more than any other group of people. I think that we need to, as a community… make a collaborative effort to assist them after millions of students across our nation were pushed out of their classrooms due to this pandemic. We need to ensure that our students… are getting the education that you and I were all granted. That’s why Middletown is establishing the “Next Generation Support Program” and that’s going to be built to provide our students with the academic, emotional and social help they need due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

What’s something residents can look forward to in the new year?

Kelly, Sea Bright

Sea Bright has a goal to renovate and reopen our Recreation Center (located at the former borough hall) now that our staff if fully moved into the new borough facilities in our municipal parking lot. Our goal is to improve the building and opening it up to quite a few new rec programs and activities. In conjunction with the reopened Rec Center, we are considering adding a skating rink near the municipal parking lot for the winter of ’22-’23.

Neff, Little Silver

There are a number of road, bridge and intersection safety projects in the works, some with the assistance of our friends in county government. Those projects continue to come together. We’re also looking to work with the county to raise a stretch of Seven Bridges Road surrounding the small bridge near Paag Lane to alleviate the perpetual flooding in that area, and to replace the bridge itself.

Our recreation department continues to put together new and improved programs for young and old; our library emerged from working through the pandemic to offer more and more services to its patrons as it did so; our volunteer services are working hard through the pandemic to respond to calls in and outside of (when called in) Little Silver; and public works have some talented folks who are looking to both maintain and improve out public spaces. So we’re looking forward to a solid 2022, and wish everyone the best in the New Year.  

Broullon, Highlands

Something Highlands residents can look forward to in 2022 is the continued commitment to update our borough parks. The addition of new playground equipment at Huddy and Veteran’s was completed in December 2021. In January 2022, we will work with the surfacing contractor to install new safety surfaces in the new park areas. Once the surfacing is installed, we will be able to open the new areas for use. In addition, we will begin remediation of Snug Harbor Park before the installation of new equipment in front of the Community Center. The basketball and tennis courts will also be refurbished by summertime. The new Skate Park is planned to be completed in 2022 and is being supported by Green Acres and Monmouth County Open Space Grants.

Our Open Space Committee is working on redesigning Frank Hall Park to encourage more visitors, especially the residents of nearby Ptak Tower. In 2021, the diseased tree in the middle of the park was removed. Planned projects so far include replacing of the weed- and ivy-infested chain link fence that will be replaced by a new white vinyl fence and removing scrub-trees with low-maintenance seagrass. Another exciting addition is a new park on Navesink Avenue called Overlook Park. A new park has not been added in Highlands in over 20 years. Plans originally drawn in 2014 and updated in 2020 by local resident and architect Peter Mullen are with our engineering team and plans are advancing nicely. We anticipate going out to bid for construction in the first quarter.

Halpern, Fair Haven

We are gearing up for the construction of the new Department of Public Works (DPW) and Police Department facilities at their existing locations. In addition to the DPW and Police Department projects, I look forward to the additional improvements planned for historic Bicentennial Hall. We also have various upgrades and micro-projects lined up for Buttonwood Drive, Cooney Terrace, DeNormandie Avenue, the Gentry, Hance Road, Hunting Lane, Laurel Drive, Lewis Lane, Linden Drive, Oaklawn Road, Park Lane, Ridge Road and the Fair Haven Road Historic District.

Moreover, I’m proud to report that we are reviewing borough ordinances as they relate to land use and our tree canopy. Finally, in an effort to provide Fair Haven residents with a direct line of communication to me, I’ve launched a new Facebook page (@MayorHalpern). My mission is to connect personally with everyone in town. I am looking for a level of connectivity that will engage the community and encourage their involvement in the future of our wonderful 2.11 square miles of land and water.

Hemphill, Rumson

Following a great deal of work and planning for our Affordable Housing Program in 2021, we are excited for 2022 as we will see the completion of the projects on Maplewood Avenue and South Ward Avenue.

We are also proud to report another year of financial stability and development through our capital improvement plans. 2021 marked another year of Rumson earning a Moody’s AAA rating. In addition, The Road Improvement Program, as well as the West River Road Project, have greatly enhanced our infrastructure. That said, we expect The Sidewalk Improvement Program to restart in the spring, and, based on Monmouth County’s current road resurfacing projections, expect the repaving of West River Road to be completed in 2022.

While the approach has been different due to the pandemic, the response, support and turnout for our Rumson community events remains strong. From the bi-annual Green Day events, an opportunity for Rumson residents to safely and securely shred personal documents and recycle old electronic devices, to the return of the Veterans Day Ceremony, Rumson Rec’s Halloween and holiday house decorating contests, and the annual DPW toy drive, the continued support from our residents has been inspiring.

We look forward to bringing back all of the borough’s traditional ceremonies and events in 2022. That said, it was great to see so many familiar faces at the Rumson Traditional Christmas Tree Lighting in Victory Park.

Buontempo, Holmdel

I think there is a lot to be hopeful for in 2022. Holmdel will continue to work with local and state health care leaders to try and get a handle on the continuing pandemic. The township committee and town hall staff will continue to think outside-the-box and come up with new ways to serve the public more resourcefully and proficiently.

We plan to keep expanding our services and programs as well as improving and developing the facilities and open spaces within the township’s borders. Look out for great things in the year ahead!

Perry, Middletown

Fiscal responsibility. I think every public official needs to first and foremost have their priorities set where fiscal responsibility is always the biggest priority. As we all know, property taxes are the highest anywhere in the country, so that’s obviously something that shouldn’t need to be said but has to be our first priority – and it has been my first three years as mayor and it will be in 2022.

The other thing residents can expect is a continued recovery from COVID-19. Our businesses are still struggling, students are still dealing with the pressures of going virtual for a full year… so we need to continue to move in the direction of ensuring that Middletown is ready for whatever is thrown at us next. 

Another thing that we’re looking at is what I call “zombie properties” in Middletown. Whether they’re damaged, foreclosed, under construction… these properties deter investment and lower property values. We need to move and we need to move fast. I think Middletown and the surrounding communities will get together to try and come up with what should be a state-wide fix, but we can’t wait for the Legislature anymore. There will be a big emphasis on working to get rid of these eyesores that are in the middle of different communities.

The article originally appeared in the January 6 – 12, 2022 print edition of The Two River Times.