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Ed Remsen
Mayor

Joyce Michaelson
Deputy Mayor

Ted Mattox
Councilor at Large

Gerry Tobin
1st Ward Councilor

Robin Schlager
2nd Ward Councilor

Jerold Freier
3rd Ward Councilor

Sandra Lang
4th Ward Councilor

Joseph Hartnett
Township Manager

Linda Wanat
Township Clerk

Planning & Development

1. Demolition of the Hahne’s Building has begun. The key step was signing the Redevelopment Agreement with Herod for creation of the Crescent parking deck and construction of The Siena with 101 apartments (10% of which will be affordable), 38,000 square feet of new retail space and underground parking for 100 cars. The symbolism of finally applying the “wrecking ball” signaled our commitment to getting this long-delayed project moving forward
2. The Planning Board created the Master Plan Re-Examination Steering Committee to get an early start on this project that must be completed in 2006
3. The Bay Street Redevelopment Agreement was signed, granting the developer the right to construct a new 225 space commuter and resident parking deck and creation of 161 rental units, 10% of which will be reserved for at least 15 years for low and moderate income residents of Montclair
4. The courts resolved the status of the Marlboro Inn after our Council took action, and new market-rate housing is anticipated in 2005
5. Construction began on the five-story parking deck at Valley & Orange Roads, as a result of the public-private partnership between the Township and DCH Motors

Budget & Finance

1. Our new Chief of Police, responding to our request for control of expenses and more efficient use of our financial resources, eliminated two $100,000+ positions
2. We eliminated the Deputy Manager and Director of Parks & Recreation positions
3. We adopted a proposal for a new insurance program with better coverage at a reduced cost and the potential for long-term, substantial savings
4. The process of undertaking a town-wide property revaluation has begun and a town-wide task force with 14 citizens has been created

Municipal Services

1. Planning began for a new system and schedule for garbage removal and bulk waste pickup that will substantially reduce overtime and resident confusion
2. A new Department of Administration, Code Enforcement & Environmental Affairs was created and placed under the Manager’s overall supervision
3. Converted Public Works into the Department of Community Services and moved the Parks Department into the expanded DCS
4. Procurement of both structural and environmental analyses of 10 public buildings was started and will be followed by the implementation of energy-efficient improvements and better facilities management

Public Safety

1. Dedicated our new Firehouse on Pine Street, serving Montclair & Glen Ridge
2. Approved a Police Department reorganization plan that places more officers and supervisors “on the street”

Quality of Life

1. Completed renovations and upgrading of Canterbury and Nishuane Parks
2. Convinced New Jersey Transit to complete a major renovation of the Watchung Train Station which we will now seek a commercial tenant
3. Added new spruce trees in the Orange Road triangle
4. Undertook and/or supported beautification projects in the Upper Montclair Village Shopping District, among other locations
5. Submitted an application to the State for a grant to repair the erosion on the Orange Road section of Toney’s Brook

Work with Our Volunteer Township Committees

1. Established a Public Transportation Committee, Fair Valuation Task Force, Montclair Housing Commission, Capital Finance Committee, and Education Cabinet, and appointed nearly 75 new volunteers to these and other committees
2. Held our annual meeting with the leaders of our boards, commissions, non-profit partners, and advisory committees and recognized 25 long-time volunteers
3. Worked with the arts community, MEDC and others to create an Interim Arts Council that will be the our partner for implementation of the arts Master Plan

Governance

1. The Mayor helped establish the Change County Government Steering Committee and three multi-town task forces that focus on shared services agreements, takeover of county-run services in local municipalities, analysis of the county budgets and long-range proposals for reduction in the size of county government
2. Committed to review the Township’s Affirmative Action Policy and establish new goals for hiring and promoting staff, hiring consultants and purchasing
3. Established a town policy allowing the Township to remove funds from banks that are not meeting the credit and lending needs of residents

Parking & Transportation

1. Advanced ordinances to address parking problems around MHS
2. Advanced recommendations for traffic calming initiatives in three high-traffic areas of Montclair and installed our first traffic calming measures
3. Advanced a proposal to design and plan a town-wide Way-Finding system
4. Advanced a proposal for a five-minute “grace period” at parking meters
5. Participated in development of a comprehensive pedestrian & bike safety proposal

Communications

1. Engaged a team of consultants to develop an integrated communications plan
2. Developed the first “Montclair Now” newsletter to be sent to every household
3. Developed a proposal for a new Communications Advisory Committee and the upgrading of the programming and technological quality of Channel 34
4. Began the upgrade of our Montclair website that will be the heart of our new integrated communications program
5. Committed to a pilot program that involves the taping and airing of Council conference meetings to give citizens a greater understanding of how the council functions and makes policy decisions

Miscellaneous

1. First Night Montclair was returned to the Town Center and was a huge success
2. With the support of the Board of Education, the Montclair Community Pre-K, and the Schumann Fund for New Jersey, the Montclair Early Childhood Council is being formed to encourage better coordination among all pre-kindergarten programs and establish the basis for creation of a long-range plan for programs and facilities

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