Page 6 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • January 15, 2014 Franklin Lakes Mayor reports at borough’s reorganization meeting by Frank J. McMahon Mayor Frank Bivona presented his annual address to the borough at the Frank- lin Lakes Council’s reorganization meeting held on Jan. 1. “Franklin Lakes is a great community with residents who care and unselfishly give of their talents,” the mayor said. He congratulated Ann Swist and Joseph Cadicina, the two new council members who were sworn in at that meeting, and praised Nathalie Lota and Frank Pedone, who are leaving the council after six and three years, respectively, for their work on behalf of the borough’s residents. He also congratulated Councilwoman Paulette Ramsey, who was nominated and selected to serve her sixth term as council president. Bivona praised the council and empha- sized that the members of the council respect each other and, while there are healthy debates on issues, the council is always driven by doing what is right for the borough. The mayor also read proclamations to Ambulance Corps Captain Laurie Burnette; former Mayor G. Thomas Donch; Lillian Turano, RN, BSN; Dr. Ahmad Chaudhry; and Patrolman Francis O’Brien to recog- nize them for their heroic actions and their professionalism and caring during a recent successful effort to save the life of a person who suffered a cardiac arrest at an October council meeting. During his speech, he recognized Bor- ough Administrator Gregory Hart, Borough Clerk Sally Bleeker, Borough Attorney William Smith, and Borough Engineer Kevin Boswell for guiding the council through their busy schedule with great expertise. In addition, he acknowledged the borough’s volunteers who “give of their time and talents so that others can benefit,” and described them as “the backbone of our borough” while recognizing the borough’s employees and professionals who “make this borough tick.” Bivona named several accomplishments during 2013, including providing a broad array of essential services and an increased level of quality of life services to residents and taxpayers, improving school safety and security, successful management of the budget and limiting the borough’s tax increase to under two percent, maintaining Budget extension (continued from page 4) that indicated that the Assembly Educa- tion Committee reported favorably on the Assembly bill. It pointed out that, under current state law, a process was established to allow the annual school election to be held in November rather than April, and pursuant to these laws, districts in which the annual school election is held at the time of the general election in November must adhere to the same budgetary time- lines as other districts. According to this statement, these bills would extend the time for accomplishing these tasks in those districts in which the annual school election is in November. The bill does not, however, alter the May 19 date by which time districts must certify to the county board of taxation the amount of money to be raised for school purposes. the borough’s surplus, and reducing debt by over $500,000 in 2013 and almost $3 mil- lion over the last three years. He highlighted the increased capital spending for key infrastructure projects and the new sewer line in the business dis- trict at no cost to the taxpayers; he noted the award the borough received from the NJ League of Municipalities for its commu- nications effort; the effective management of the zoning change for the development of the High Mountain Golf Club; and the work of the planning and zoning boards and the environmental and shade tree commis- sions. Bivona pointed out that the borough has purchased property where special needs housing is planned, and said the parks and recreation facilities have been improved. He also emphasized that the borough held recreation and sports programs for over 3,000 participants and added activities to the borough’s wellness programs. His goals for 2014 include reducing costs while maintaining services, look- ing for innovative ways to share services with neighboring towns, keeping the bor- ough’s tax rate among the lowest in Bergen County, and protecting the borough’s natu- ral beauty through aggressive management of affordable housing obligations. His goals also include developing a capital plan with a funding plan that is feasible; develop- ing recreation fields, facilities, and parks through partnerships, funding grants, and fundraising; working closely with the Northwest Bergen County Utilities Author- ity to provide for voluntary service hookups to the sewer system; and developing and tracking the borough’s customer service performance. Bivona also took the time to thank the families of the elected officials serving the borough. “I thank you for supporting us and coping with the added attention associated with being the family of an elected official or volunteer.” The oath of office was also adminis- tered to Fire Chief Ryan Dodd, Assistant Fire Chief Ronald Meyers Jr, and Captain Thomas Pianettini of the borough’s fire department; and Captain Burnette of the borough’s ambulance corps along with First Lieutenant Carolyn Zimmerman, Second Lieutenant Marc McKeon, and Third Lieu- tenant Jim Vinci. Bivona announced his appointments of the council’s standing committees for 2014, naming Councilwoman Paulette Ramsey chair of the Public Safety Committee, Councilman Joseph Kelly as chair of the Recreation and Parks Committee, Swist as chair of the Environmental and Community Committee, Cadicina as chair of the Public Works Committee, Kahwaty as chair of the Planning and Development Committee, and Councilman Thomas Lambrix as chair of the Finance and Administration Commit- tee. In addition, Bivona announced several reappointments of professional and staff personnel and members of the borough’s planning and zoning boards and commis- sions. The mayor’s full address is available at www.franklinlakes.org.