January 2008

Good afternoon everyone and welcome to the 2008 reorganization meeting of the Kenilworth Borough Council. Thank you for joining us today. On behalf of the entire council I would like to wish everyone a Happy, Healthy and prosperous New Year.

2007 was a particularly exciting year for our Borough. We celebrated the 100th anniversary of the day that Kenilworth was established as an independent municipality. The celebrations spanned the entire year with the involvement of all of our community organizations. Thanks to the many volunteers of the Centennial Celebration Committee who devoted their time and talents to the cause, the residents were treated to a full slate of events and celebrations worthy of a 100th birthday.

In 2008, we will work to move the Borough along into its second century. With the cooperation of the Board of Education, this meeting is being videotaped for broadcast on the local cable access channels. To better inform you, it is our goal to broadcast all future council meetings. Our plan is to eventually provide live broadcasts.

Many of the nominations for Borough positions reflect my belief that individuals with a strong tie to the community will better serve the residents.

Harvey Fruchter is being nominated for appointment as the Borough attorney. Mr. Fruchter has maintained his law offices in Kenilworth for two decades and has assisted its residents and local organizations throughout that time ably and with dedication.

If approved by council, for the first time in four years we will have a zoning official who is a Borough resident and who has demonstrated his dedication, caring and concern for our town time and time again. Robert Herbert has volunteered his time and special talents to the Police Department, Fire Department, Rescue Squad and Recreation Department. He is a member of several local organizations and has a background that will serve the Borough well as our zoning enforcement officer.

Similarly, the nomination of Jerry Eger as construction official will bring to the Borough a resident of thirty years who has substantial credentials and qualifications to serve in this capacity. Mr. Eger's personal commitment to the community as a long-term resident will provide the construction department with an official who has substantial familiarity with the borough and its residents.

As I mentioned earlier, the broadcast of this meeting is being made possible with the cooperation of the Board of Education. I have already met with the Superintendent and the Board President and expect that we will maintain an open line of communication and expand the list of shared services that the Boro and the Board already provide to one another for the benefit of both.

We will also reach out to the Township of Cranford in order to begin conversations about coordinating flood control efforts. We will also reestablish communications with the municipalities who are affected by the proposed reactivation of the train to provide a stronger voice of opposition before the Freeholders and the other powers who are behind the reactivation proposal.

Kenilworth has long been known as one of the most attractive and affordable communities in the County of Union. That reputation is what drew my parents here more than fifty years ago, and it continues to attract young families to the Borough each year.
This administration will work to maintain and improve upon that reputation. We will work with our borough employees and department heads to hold the line on budget increases and effect savings without compromising services. We will seek out grants for projects and see that those which have been awarded are properly and promptly administered. We will continue to work with our elected officials to ensure that the representation that our Borough deserves is received at the County and State levels.
We will continue, and improve upon, the slate of borough sponsored public celebrations and events which are successful only as a result of the many Borough residents who selflessly volunteer their time and talents. I will be calling upon many of you to help in these efforts and I know I can count on you.

There are several projects of particular importance which we will address early in my administration. We will begin the review of the master plan and propose amendments needed to establish a framework to guide the Borough's development over the next decade and more. This is a lengthy process which requires a comprehensive review of our land use regulations and a well thought out plan for the Borough's future.
Additional space for the police department and other borough employees was identified as a priority by the previous administration. Unfortunately, that need was not addressed and it will be the responsibility of this administration to fashion a reasonable solution which has public support.

The men and women who serve our community in the Kenilworth Police Department and throughout the other departments of the Borough have the well-deserved support and respect of the people they serve. It is this Administration's responsibility to see that the discussions for the construction of the new facility and the renovations to Borough Hall be conducted in a manner that is open to the public and designed to solicit its participation in the process. As Abraham Lincoln wisely observed, "With public sentiment, nothing can fail; without it nothing can succeed." We expect this project to be successful and will make every effort to see that the public's questions and concerns are heard and addressed in order to obtain its support.

In closing, I would like to thank Mayor David for his many years of public and community service. We wish him the best in the future.

I look forward to working with the new council and am confident that all of us will work together for the betterment of our town.

I would also like to thank everyone for their confidence in me. I look forward to serving as your Mayor for the next four years. I will maintain an open door policy and will make myself available to anyone who has a question or a concern. I am very mindful of my place in history as the first woman mayor of the Borough and will work very hard to see that the confidence placed in me by the people is well deserved.

Finally, on behalf of all of our Borough residents, I would like to thank the men and woman of our armed services for their sacrifices in defending us around the world, especially those currently serving in Iraq and Afghanistan; our thoughts and prayers are with them and their families and we wish them the best in the New Year. Thank you all again, may God Bless America, the Borough of Kenilworth and all of you.

Kathi Fiamingo,
Mayor