Mayor's Office

Mayor McPartland New Year’s Address January 2023

BOROUGH OF EDGEWATER

Office of the Mayor

55 RIVER ROAD

EDGEWATER, NJ 07020

Michael J. McPartland

      Mayor

                                                 Telephone (201) 943-1700  ~  Facsimile (201) 943-9242

Email:  mayormcpartland@edgewaternj.org 

January 1, 2023

Dear Residents,

On behalf of the Borough Council and myself I want to extend to you a very Happy, Healthy, and Joyous New Year.

As we begin 2023, our staff is diligently working on a new municipal budget.  Just like you, the Borough is facing the same economic climate with unprecedented inflation.   It is easy for us to control our expenses however, those expenses beyond our control such as fuel, insurance, and utilities are all increasing by double digits.  We will do everything possible to deliver a municipal budget that is affordable to our taxpayers.

I would like to share information with you about our volunteer fire department and first aid squad.  Yes, you read correctly, volunteer fire department and first aid squad.  In case some of our residents were not aware, our fire department and first aid squad operate with volunteers, not paid career personnel like New York City and our neighbors in Hudson County like North Bergen and West New York.   When someone in Edgewater is in need of help, volunteers are the ones who get out of bed and respond to the call. These volunteers are required to participate in the same training program as those employed by the City of New York and Hudson County.  We have developed membership retention tools such as stipends and retirement annuities however, these men and woman are considered volunteers and are not compensated for their life-saving work.  As training, family, and employment responsibilities increase, we see volunteerism decline.  I share this with you for a two-fold reason.  The first reason is I challenge our residents to consider volunteering for these wonderful life saving groups.  The second reason is to tell you that many communities like Edgewater have to create paid services due to the lack of volunteers.  Currently, Edgewater has a paid emergency medical service Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. as a result of our volunteers not being available due to employment commitments.  When paid personnel are hired to perform the job of a previous volunteer position, our expenses and budget must increase as well.  If you are interested in joining one of these fine organizations, feel free to reach out to Patrick Chevalier, Fire Chief, at pchevalier@edgewaternj.org or Kathy Frato, First Aid Squad Captain, at kfrato@edgewaternj.org. 

 In 2022, we opened our Adult and Senior Center located at Historic Borough Hall, 916 River Road on Tuesday and Friday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.  We are hoping to increase the days and times so that our mature population can meet their neighbors in a friendly relaxed manner, and enjoy comradery, board games, card games, and refreshments.  Starting on January 10, 2023 and every 2^nd Tuesday of the month, we will continue with our wellness Tuesday’s with licensed health care professionals from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Services include health history evaluations, blood pressure screening, counseling and education, referrals and follow-ups, along with confidential consultations.  On Friday, February 10, 2023, we will have a podiatrist available at 11:00am to address all of your foot issues.  Please call the Health Department with any questions at 201-943-1700 ext. 6007.

Early last year, I retained the services of a company called Streetlight.  They use cellular technology to perform traffic studies and analysis.  According to the report, commercial and retail establishments within Edgewater are responsible for almost 90% of all traffic on River Road. Only 10% of the cars traveling on River Road are generated from Edgewater residents. 90% of all vehicles traveling on River Road are going to, or coming from, the retail establishments within our town.  In direct response to this, I recommended to the Borough Council and our Planner, that we look at the possibility of changing the zoning of the old movie theatre site from commercial to residential.  The Mayor and Council introduced Ordinance 2022-017 which would have changed the zoning of this property.  The ordinance was subsequently tabled so that the Borough Planner can analyze this change further.  Resident feedback has been positive.

 In keeping with my commitment to full disclosure and transparency, I would like to inform you that the New Jersey State Commission of Investigation has been investigating the slanderous and defamatory accusations made by the 615 Partners, owners of the former Hess site.   I have appropriately responded to many of the fallacious claims and my responses should be incorporated into the final report.  As you recall, the 615 Partners, in their attempt to strong arm the Borough into approving their original grandiose overdevelopment, filed a federal lawsuit against the Borough, which was settled.  As part of that settlement, the Borough was to receive the entire western portion of the property, at no cost to Edgewater taxpayers, so that Edgewater can build a new state of the art school for our children.  The 615 Partners failed to transfer the deed to the property several months ago, and we are now seeking the assistance of the Federal Court so that we may acquire the property as originally agreed. 

 As you can see, Edgewater has had a busy, successful, and productive year.  Remember, I am always available to you for your comments, questions, and concerns via regular email or telephone at mayormcpartland@edgewaternj.org or 201-943-1700 ext. 3100. 

Sincerely,

Michael J. McPartland

Mayor