Clinton Township Newsletter

3 J a n u a r y 2 0 2 1 This past year has been a difficult one for all of us. Our hearts go out to all those who have lost loved ones or who have been impacted in any way by the COVID-19 pandemic. The employees and volunteers of the Township have been dedicated to continuing their essential work while ensuring the safety of the public, and one another. I'd especially like to thank our first responders and health care professionals, who have been on the front lines all year during this pandemic. The men and women of our Police Department report daily to keep us safe; the volunteers of the Annandale Hose Company and South Branch Emergency Services answer the call day and night; and our Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) is currently preparing to assist in the distribution of vaccines. Since January, we completed the second phase of the paving project on Stanton Mountain Road, and completed a much-needed paving project on Herman Thau. Our court staff worked to prepare Lebanon Township to join our shared court for 2021. The Recreation committee worked with volunteers to install pickle ball courts at Bundt park and hopes to return to as many programs and events as possible in 2021. The Township also welcomed two new police officers, whom we are glad to have onboard: Nicholas Praino and Theodore White. Councilwoman Amy Switlyk is spearheading a project with our Open Space and Environmental committees to create an environmental education center at Windy Acres, and is discussing how it might be incorporated into the curriculum of our schools. An educational pavilion has been erected and trails have been created (thanks to an Exxon Mobile grant), while the Historic Commission partnered with Boy Scout Troop 200 to clean up the historic house on the roughly 300-acre property. Looking forward to 2021, recently received grants from the State DOT will help fund the paving of all of Grayrock Road, Fulper Place, Fulper Alley and Fairview. We plan to go to bid at the beginning of the year, and hope to have paving under way in the summer of 2021. We will also evaluate other roads for paving as part of our budget process based on available funding. Other areas of focus include economic development, an audit of our lighting systems for possible efficiency upgrades and cost savings, and updates to our stormwater management ordinance. Late in 2020, Township Administrator Jesse Landon retired following three years in the position, having helped us move in the right direction. Jesse was also a longtime volunteer on the Historic Commission, and we wish him well in his retirement. We recently hired Vita Mekovetz, who has extensive experience as Administrator/Clerk in Readington, to fill this role and look forward to working with her. Our Emergency Management Coordinator, Robert D'Ambola, spent countless hours on efforts related not only to the pandemic, but also in preparation for other emergency situations in the Township. He will be handing over these duties to officer Theodore White after two years in this volunteer position, and we thank him greatly for his service and commitment. The Township will also be seeing the departure of a longtime volunteer from the Zoning Board of Adjustment who will be retiring. John Matsen was first appointed to the Planning Board in 1976, where he was involved in the adoption of the Township's first Master Plan. He served on the Township Council and, for a brief period, as Acting Mayor. Since 1992 he has served on the Zoning Board of Adjustment, and served as Chairman and Vice Chairman of both boards. His dedication, experience and knowledge will be hard to replace, and certainly serves as an inspiration to me and many others who have served the Township over the years. Finally, Mayor John Higgins has completed his second and final term. John's leadership has been instrumental to the Township's success over the last six years. He helped to ensure our largest employer and taxpayer, Exxon Mobil Research, remained in the Township; negotiated a reasonable and achievable Affordable Housing plan; coordinated with regional partners along the Route 78 corridor to promote economic development; eased regulatory burdens on homeowners through the elimination of Code Compliance (CCO) inspections on residential home sales; and helped acquire the over eighty acres of the Kaufelt property for preserved open space, among many other accomplishments. John has always been dedicated to our community, from his fourteen-year involvement on the Planning Board to his activity on a number of local non-profit boards (the Hunterdon ARC, NORWESCAP, the Clinton Red Mill and Art Museums, to name a few). Most importantly, he has been a great friend and mentor to me as I step into the role of Mayor. With hope and optimism for a better year ahead, I wish you all a Happy and Healthy New Year. – Brian Mullay, Mayor-Elect*, Clinton Township * Brian Mullay will be sworn in as Mayor on January 6, 2021. www.MSIPlumbingAndRemodeling.com 1109 Rte. 31 S. Lebanon, NJ 08833 New Jersey Licensed Master Plumber #8722 Your Remodeling Experts! 908.735.4438 21 Cratetown Road • Lebanon, NJ 08833 (908) 735-8336 • winneday@ptd.net Visit winnewald.com Now Enrolling 2021 Campers th 70 Summer Season - Ages 4-13 In the of Hunterdon County Employment Opportunities Available Carol Beder's W i n n e W a l d d a y C a m p W i l l O p e n F O r i t s 7 0 t h s e a s O n ! Winnewald Day Camp will open for its 70th season on June 28, 2021. Contact the camp for enrollment materials and a virtual camp tour. Winnewald Day Camp, in Clinton Township, is now hiring for the 2021 summer season. Camp counselors, lifeguards, arts and crafts. Part-time, light maintenance position. Ideal for retirees! Winnewald has been serving camping needs in northwest/central New Jersey since 1951! We have a unique camp philosophy that stresses individual attention and small groups. For more information, email the camp at: winneday@ptd.net. Visit us online at: www.Winnewald.com.

• Cover