Thank you all for joining us today to kick-off an exciting new year. Before we talk about where we're going in 2010, let's a take a minute to reflect on 2009 and the accomplishments that were made. I don't have to tell any of you about the devastating effects of the worldwide financial crisis. Whether it was foreclosures or reduced property values; unemployment or expanded job descriptions; salary freezes, or furloughs; fewer benefits or higher costs, we have all been affected at some level in some way. Government is not immune to those effects and, just as each of you maintains a household to shelter and feed your families, we, too, must maintain the vital services we provide to our residents. And, just like you, we have had to share the burden and find ways to do more with less.

That is our ongoing commitment to you because we understand that you work hard to contribute to your community and you deserve a government that gives you the greatest possible value for every tax dollar.

Our mantra for 2009 was doing more with less and with that goal in mind we started off 2009 with a full review of our budget. Council President Petronko and I met with all department heads and, working together, we reduced departmental budgets by 10% across the board. We strongly encouraged participation in shared services programs and partnerships with other entities, such as the county and the BOE.

In addition to reducing operational costs, we took significant steps to bring down costs in one of our highest budget expenditures: salaries and benefits. In 2009, the administration overturned a decision of the previous council to increase the salaries of department heads by 3.75% a year. We felt it was too high a burden to place on our taxpayers, many of whom were sacrificing their own cost of living raises just to hold on to their jobs. We went back to the negotiating table and brought that down to an average of 2.5%. And it's not just the department heads, but all Boro employees are pitching in to help us reduce the cost of payroll and benefits. In another victory for our residents, we were able to renegotiate the existing contract with the DPW, further reducing the impact on our taxpayers.

We looked at our energy costs and in an effort to ensure that we are getting the best value for our energy dollar, we conducted a comprehensive audit of every boro facility with regard to energy efficiency. The results of that audit indicate that there is a potential for significant savings. Likewise, in meetings with efficiency experts from the water and utility suppliers, we identified additional cost-cutting opportunities, such as eliminating a number of unnecessary streetlights. That, alone, will save our taxpayers $50,000 annually.

In 2009 we teamed up with Jackie Jackson, a local resident and public advocate who guided us on our first ever handicapped accessibility tour of the public buildings in the boro. Thanks to Jackie, we gained a better understanding of challenges some of our residents may face just going about their daily lives. We determined to make the bathrooms at Boro Hall accessible and secured a grant in the amount of $80,000 to get the job done. As a result of this very successful effort, South Plainfield received the Annual Community Partnership Award from the Multiple Sclerosis Society of NJ.

In 2009, we oversaw the launch of an innovative internship program that offers our high-school students the chance to serve the community while getting real-life experience in the daily work of local government and learning practical skills. Additionally, our Police Department worked with school officials to train and certify every high-school junior in life-saving CPR. These are but a few examples of the ways in which we are not only looking for ways to make use of the abundant talents of our community members, but also creating new opportunities for utilizing shared services programs.

In 2009, we demonstrated our strong commitment to public safety. We partnered with Middlesex County to equip our law enforcement, fire, rescue services, and emergency management personnel with state of the art technology that allows them to respond to emergencies more quickly than ever. When seconds can mean the difference between life and death, the return on this investment is beyond measure. We replaced our aging communication dispatch console and 911 system and we approved the purchase of new radios for our emergency services personnel. The new equipment will also allow us to connect to a county-wide communication system that will enhance our ability to access critical support services outside our boro. In addition, we installed a community wide telephone notification system. I'm sure many of you appreciated the reminder to get your cars off the street before last week's snow storm. This system can also be used to alert our residents to many different situations.

From a quality of life perspective, I know that traffic, and particularly truck traffic is a real issue for so many of you. During 2009, we completed the condemnation for the property to complete the New Market Avenue extension. The construction work is currently underway and we expect to have the roadway open soon. This will correct the traffic flow problem at the intersection of New Market Avenue and Hamilton Boulevard and allow for a better movement of trucks through the Boro. In addition to the extension, we were also successful in obtaining a grant in excess of $300,000 from the NJ Department of Transportation toward the repaving of New Market Avenue.

As I said earlier, we were working under the concept of doing more with less. I know hear this phrase "low cost/high impact" like it's a new and innovative concept, but in my administration, we just call that doing our jobs. I am immensely proud of what we have accomplished this past year and of everyone who has worked so hard to get us to this point. I can't begin to count the number of hours this team has devoted to a single purpose: making South Plainfield the very best community for you and your families.

But this is a job that never ends.

In thinking about what lies ahead, I want you to know that your voices echo in my thoughts every day. And the concern that I hear most loudly and most clearly is property taxes. Our main objective is to continue to keep South Plainfield affordable. This has always been our toughest battle and the coming year will be our most challenging yet. It will demand tough choices, shared sacrifices, and our utmost commitment to keeping government lean without compromising on our service to our constituents. Reduced state aid and declining revenues will test our resolve.

I am asking the Administration and Finance Committee to make the 2010 budget its top priority. Now that we are on a calendar year cycle, this council is fully responsible for this budget. Let's commit to getting a budget submitted for review by February 28th. In crafting that budget, I encourage you to seek every possible opportunity to reduce our costs through the continuation of existing measures that have proven successful, as well as methods as creative and as innovative as you can conceive. Each line item of the budget should be reviewed and scrubbed, including looking for opportunities to consolidate staff positions. Until the preliminary budget is completed, it is my strong recommendation to enact a hiring freeze until it can be determined that the addition of new employees will not negatively impact the budget thereby placing undue burden on our taxpayers. I encourage you to begin discussions to renegotiate existing union contracts to try and reduce costs. Additionally, I recommend that the Council not do any discretionary spending and even go as far as asking our professionals to reduce their fees by at least 5%.

We also need to redouble our efforts on the Truck Bypass Route. Mike English and his committee have put considerable time and effort into this project. We need to continue to put pressure on the DEP to review the documents we submitted so the next steps can be taken. The completion of this project will serve every resident of the borough and I promise you I will give it my full support and attention.

Ray Petronko and Joe Scrudato, I know you share the belief that serving as a representative of the people is the highest honor any citizen can receive in a democracy. You have been valuable members of this council and the Boro is a better place today because of your service. Joe, your contributions to the Economic Development Committee and Public Safety have made a real difference for our residents. Ray, for 12 years, you have served this boro with distinction as a member of the Recreation Commission, the Environmental Committee and the Administration and Finance Committee. I am honored to have had the opportunity to work with both of you. On behalf of this council and this boro, I want to extend to you our deepest gratitude.

I would like to welcome back council members Matt Anesh and Rob Bengivenga. You also have achieved the highest honor anyone in a free society can claim, the position of a "public servant". I know that you will always remember that you are a representative of the people and your goal must be to do your best to listen and work hard for those you represent.

As someone who was born, raised and educated in South Plainfield I know what a special place this is to live in and raise a family. As we begin this New Year, we as elected officials must remember that we are servants of the people and not of a particular political party. With that as our guiding principle, we can't go wrong. I look forward to working together with all members of the governing body.

God's blessings to you and your loved ones in 2010 and may God continue to bless and protect our wonderful town and the United States of America.