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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 22, 2012
Mayor Dave Fried Delivers Stirring State of the Township Address
ROBBINSVILLE, NJ – Robbinsville Mayor Dave Fried delivered a high-energy, free-form State of the Township address in front of a capacity crowd at Poseidon Mediterranean Bar & Grill Thursday.
Working with only bullet points and without a prepared speech, Mayor Fried announced a series of impressive accomplishments and initiatives over the past 12 months, yet did not shy away from difficult issues such as taxes and the controversial 2009 "Conversion Law,'' a fight he vowed to take to the state's highest court.
Among several highlights of the near-30 minute presentation, which was hosted by the Mercer Regional Chamber of Commerce and sponsored by Verizon and First Choice Bank, were:
* A continued pledge to reduce debt. The Mayor announced Robbinsville's annual debt down is 5.3 percent, or $1.8 million, compared to $334,000 last year.
* Perfect audits from 2005-2010.
* Tax increase of 1.5 cents with a third consecutive year of decreased ratables and spikes in gasoline and solid waste disposal costs. Still, the announced tax increase is among the lowest in Mercer County.
* Taxes approximately 30 percent below (the 2-percent) cap.
* Warehouse district vacancies dropped from 50 percent in 2009 to just 8 percent today. New tenants also poised to take occupancy of another 1.1 million square feet.
* With the continued efforts of Township Council, plans are in motion for the redevelopment of Town Center South and "Kushner Park.''
* Construction of a new courthouse on the site of the now-demolished old Municipal Building.
* Announced plans to pursue a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the "Conversion Law'' that has served to disenfranchise Robbinsville seniors and threatens to burden an already overcrowded school system.
* Confirmed an agreement with residents of Foxmoor to transform the six-acre plot of Township-owned land on Washington Boulevard, former home to the police substation, into a picturesque park in accordance with residents' wishes.
* Announced the sale of three farms for a total net of $1.35 million.
* Promoted the recently established "Live Where You Work Program'' and future "Buy Local Program'' to encourage keeping tax dollars and revenues within Robbinsville Township.
You can watch the entire address, courtesy of WZBN TV/YouTube here:
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Contact: John Nalbone
Public Affairs and Communications Coordinator
Robbinsville Township
JNalbone@Robbinsville-twp.org
(609) 273-4140
Special thanks to Ashley Cayce, Marketing Coordinator,
Mercer Regional Chamber of Commerce, for providing the photos.
Group photo caption: From left to right: Randy Hanks, President of First Choice Bank and Chamber Board Member, Vincent J. Calcagno, Township Councilman, Sheree McGowan, Township Council Vice President, Chris Ciaccio, Township Council President, Mayor Dave Fried, Ron Witt, Township Counciman, and Michael Cano, Chamber Chairman.
