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Allentown officials ready for full slate of projects in 2019

ALLENTOWN – Mayor Greg Westfall and Borough Council President Thomas Fritts laid out an ambitious list of goals for Allentown in 2019 when the governing body held its reorganization meeting at Borough Hall.

Fritts, who served as council president in 2018, was re-elected to that position by his fellow council members Angela Anthony, Rob Schmitt, Robert Strovinsky, John A. Elder III and Michael Drennan during the Jan. 7 meeting.

Prior to the election of a council president, Borough Clerk Laurie Gavin administered the oath of office to Drennan and Strovinsky, who won three-year terms in the Nov. 6 election. Strovinsky won re-election and Drennan won his first term on the council. Their terms will run through Dec. 31, 2021.

In a statement he provided to the Examiner, Drennan said, “I’m very humbled to have been elected to the Borough Council and I would like to thank the voters for their support and faith in letting me represent them. I would like to congratulate Councilman Rob Strovinsky on winning re-election to the council. …

“I want the people of Allentown to know I will be dedicated to represent them in office and work hard on ensuring fiscal responsibility and transparency within the council to the best of my abilities. I will work hard to keep Allentown’s historic charm and to keep it a town where you want to live and raise your family as I have done,” Drennan said.

In his reorganization remarks, Westfall said, in part, “Thanks to volunteers, members of the governing body and staff, we are moving forward on a number of issues … We continue to need to address and follow through on projects on long-neglected infrastructure needs.

“We currently have over $7 million in major projects soon to begin. We have just completed the implementation of a generator, funded by FEMA, at the waste water treatment plant. This year we expect to complete negotiations on a four-year police contract.

“Also this year, we will be completing payments on the purchase of the Sgt. George
Ashby Memorial Park. … A recently hired landscape architect will be developing a concept plan for park development which will be provided to multiple sources of grants, including the Monmouth County Open Space program,” the mayor said.

“We are participating in a regional traffic study, funded by federal funding through Monmouth County, with Robbinsville and Upper Freehold Township. The study is expected to be completed by late June. Opportunities for public participation are at monthly Ad Hoc Traffic Committee meetings and, when announced by the county, at the regional traffic study public meetings.

“Green Acres compliance issues are expected to be resolved this year before the
borough loses eligibility for a minimum of $500,000 for open space acquisition and development funding. … The Recreation Commission has been looking at a number of recreational activities … including pickleball, softball, a 5K run, and movie and camp nights in the park.

“The Planning and Zoning Board has completed the master plan re-examination and
revision and will be looking at the various recommendations in the new master plan for possible implementation. … The voters have elected each of us to work together and accomplish good for all of the community. Let’s move forward,” Westfall said.

In his remarks to the community, Fritts said, “2018 brought us many accomplishments; accomplishments through teamwork, commitment, communication, dialogue and relationship building with our volunteers, neighboring municipalities and other critical entities that can assist council with our goals and objectives.

“Under extreme pressure and timelines, the council successfully replaced the Dewberry firm which came in roughly $1.5 million higher than projected costs (for a new waste water treatment plant).

“Council moved forward with a treatment plant designed by Roberts Engineering that is less expensive than (the one) originally proposed by Dewberry, and is new rather than refurbished. We are back on track to move forward with this critical improvement project, but there is much work to be done in 2019,” he said.

Regarding finances, Fritts said, “Please believe me when I say the council understands the financial burdens of day-to-day life for all residents, especially our senior community. Our goal is to fairly and equitably enhance the quality of life for all our residents and council does this by carefully researching, analyzing and debating the needs of the residents and responding with efficient and precise planning.

“We have our hands full with many challenges this year, with the development of the waste water treatment plant, negotiations with the Department of Environmental Protection, water improvements … Phase 2 Streetscape planning, Ashby Park design, traffic control and general safety for our residents, protecting our (town’s) fringes and historical district, police contract negotiations, supporting fire and first aid, parking solutions and of course balancing our financial output while controlling the tax rate is no easy task,” Fritts said.

During the business portion of the meeting, council members voted unanimously to reappoint the firm of Sobel Han, LLP, as borough attorney. Greg Cannon, of the firm, represents Allentown. Cannon announced that his name will soon be added to the firm’s name, which drew applause from residents and the members of the governing body.

Roberts Engineering Group was appointed as borough engineer; Rhonda Eiger was appointed as borough prosecutor; and Whisper Acres (Jan E. Bilyk) was awarded a contract for animal control services.

Council members approved three shared services agreements with Upper Freehold Township, for code enforcement, housing inspector and zoning enforcement services; for construction code services; and for municipal court services.

A shared services agreement with Plumsted Township was authorized for a chief financial officer. June Madden provides that service to Allentown under the terms of the agreement.

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