Before I rattle down with the list of what I have been up to, I’d like to grab your attention for a quick minute- big picture stuff here... February has been extremely busy for all of us on the Committee and our support staff. The preparation of our 2011 municipal budget has taken precedence, but we are also holding hearings on several ordinances: recycling, outdoor lighting, and solar energy. The outdoor lighting ordinance public hearing is being held March 10, the recycling ordinance is being introduced on March 10, and the first reading of the solar ordinance is April 14, 2011.
Besides the recycling ordinance which is county-mandated, the first and foremost goal of the lighting and solar ordinances is to protect your property values and your quality of life as residents of Franklin. We are not out to ban solar energy or outdoor lighting, but it is our obligation as elected officials to decide whether these ordinances can protect and serve the public, or are they just simply “over-regulation”.
Without anymore fanfare, here is what I have been up to this cold, snowy winter:
1. On February 3, DPW Supervisor Alan Dilley and I met with representatives from the NJ Water Supply Authority (NJWSA) to discuss ways to improve drainage flow from roadways to the rivers and streams within Franklin Township. The NJWSA obtained grant funding to perform some drainage ditch repair / enhancement work and Franklin Township may be the recipient of such efforts.
2. On February 7, I met with the Open Space Advisory Committee, welcomed several new members, reviewed our open space inventory, and discussed budgetary concerns. We discussed possible future open space acquisitions, and the status of the township’s open space / farmland preservation fund accounts.
3. On February 8, acting as the Public Works Subcommittee, Committeewoman Sue Campbell and I met with DPW Director Alan Dilley to discuss operations and budget matters.
4. February 10 was our township committee meeting, in the name of brevity I will refrain this time from revealing the meeting’s highlights- read the minutes, or wait for the movie!
5. On February 16, I met with representatives from the Hunterdon County Planning Board- Agricultural Development Board. These monthly meetings are meant to give local officials a chance to meet face to face with county planning representatives. Our topics of discussion range from farmland and open space preservation, to model ordinances, and how other towns accomplish their planning and preservation goals. These meetings are an investment in the township’s future and no town should overlook this opportunity.
6. On February 17, the Committee held a special meeting about the municipal budget. There were about 40 people in attendance, there was a PowerPoint presentation and I believe most who walked out of that meeting had a greater understanding of the task that is before us. This meeting also provided residents with valuable information- actual dollar figures that keeps this town operating.
7. On February 22, I visited Mrs. Prassl’s second grade class at Franklin Township School. I told them what it is like to be the Mayor, my responsibilities, and I read a story about George Washington. You can see pictures from this event at:
http://www.ftschool.org:16080/Prassl2P/Second_to_None/Mayor_Bauman_Visits.html
8. February 24 was our first real Committee work session we have had in a long time- a loosely based agenda with no formal actions, just discussions, ideas, and input from the public. Sounds like your idea of fun? Stop by the municipal building on the 4th Thursdays of each month, 7:30 PM and indulge yourself!
9. On February 26 I attended a Mayor’s Conference in West Windsor that focused on running meetings, budgets, negotiations, ethics, and shared services. There were about 150 mayors and council presidents in attendance, including a hefty smattering of Hunterdon County representatives! I learned a good deal from the workshop.
10. On February 28, acting as the Construction / Planning / Zoning Subcommittee, Committeeman Steve Tarshis and I met with Construction Official Mark Fornaciari to discuss operations and budget matters.
