Mayor Alberto G. Santos
Reorganization Meeting, January 2, 2007

Distinguished guests, members of the Town Council, Father Mancini, Reverend Ramos, family and friends, we are gathered here today for the formal requirements of taking the oaths of office, reorganizing the membership of our governing committees, designating professionals who will assist us in performing our public duties and appointing citizens who volunteer their time to serve on the boards and commissions that local government depends on to carry out its responsibilities.

We are also gathered here today to rededicate ourselves to building our community’s future.  We have much to be proud of, and grateful for, in our town. 

Last year, when I took the oath of office I laid out specific goals for my term of office.  I would like to take this opportunity to tell you where we are on some of these priorities. 

Tax stability is a continuous challenge.  The good news is that there is no increase in the upcoming February and May 2007 property tax bills.  That is because we continue to be exceedingly careful with discretionary spending – cutting some $500,000 in this year’s budget.  Nonetheless, we continue to face very difficult financial circumstances.  Over half the municipal budget covers costs that are external and largely outside municipal control such as health insurance and pension costs, liability insurance costs and sewage treatment costs.  I expect these external items will go up by double-digit increases again next year.  In response, we must continue to be vigilant with our spending and strongly encourage the ongoing efforts at property tax reform by the Governor and State Legislature to impose additional controls on the rising costs of government services and a fairer formula for the distribution of State aid for public education.  

Second, our efforts at redevelopment of unused commercial and industrial sites continue to bear fruit.  Redevelopment of these sites is one of the keys to tax stability since they generate additional tax revenues without increasing property tax rates.  In calendar year 2006 we added over $6 million in new assessments to our property tax rolls, including the Wal-Mart retail center and the new Saw Mill Park 300,000 square foot facility on the Belleville Pike.  In 2007, we will see construction of another substantial warehousing facility at Saw Mill Park and further development along the Newark and Jersey City Turnpike near Bergen Avenue.  Also in 2006, the town’s application to designate portions of the South Kearny industrial peninsula as a federal foreign trade zone was approved.  That designation should be the impetus for an increase in new investment in South Kearny. 

Third, we will continue improving and repairing our infrastructure.  Sewer separation and water main work will continue in 2007.  Additional street repavings – addressing the streets most in need of repair – will continue and the actual construction of the next phase of the Kearny Avenue Streetscape project, at the entry points to Kearny, will be completed in 2007. 

Fourth, now that the renovation of Bell Playground on Stewart Avenue is complete, we will proceed with the renovation of the Belgrove Drive Playground this year.  Another project that should be done in 2007 is the overdue skateboard facility.  I expect the location for the facility will be finalized shortly with public bids on the project accepted later in the Spring. 

Fifth, in this the eight year that an emergency order of the Governor has been in effect that forcibly places civilly confined persons who committed sex-related crimes in a facility in South Kearny, we hope that 2007 will b the year that the decree is lifted so that this population can be relocated to sites in less densely populated areas. 

Sixth, now that New Jersey Transit has expressed interest in establishing a rail yard and commuter rail station in Kearny as part of their plans to build a new commuter rail tunnel to New York City, we need to work closely with New Jersey Transit on a study and plan to locate the station near the Bergen Avenue extension. 

I have two new goals for 2007.  The first relates to Kearny being amongst the first municipalities in the country that agreed to the Kyoto Protocol pledge, spearheaded by Seattle’s Mayor, in which municipalities across the country undertook to reduce greenhouse emissions.  Our efforts to date have been limited to the purchase of hybrid vehicles for our vehicle fleet.  In 2007, I will build on this first step by working with the Planning Board and the Town Construction Department to incorporate incentives in our building code for meeting the U.S. Green Building Council’s “Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design” benchmarks for the design, construction and operation of new buildings in our redevelopment zones and in South Kearny.  

The second new goal relates to our town’s public library.  The main building will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2007.  Under the leadership of the Librarian, Julie McCarthy, and the Library Board of Trustees, let us mark the celebration of our community library by continuing physical improvements to our library facilities and continuing programs of wide breadth and interest that make our library a place where our community can come together and learn from and with each other. 

To the Members of the Town Council, the Town’s Department Heads and professionals, I ask you to join me in re-committing ourselves fully to these tasks, continuing the progress, and to continue believing in ourselves and our community. 

Thank you, and may the New Year be a healthy, happy and prosperous one for ourcommunity.