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| Mayor Flannery speaks at the dedication of new Municipal Complex |
In an e-mail message sent to all Bridgewater residents who have subscribed to the Township’s Internet mailing list, Mayor Patricia Flannery announced today that she will not seek re-election eleven months from now, when her term of office is up.
Below is the complete text of her communiqué to the citizens of Bridgewater.
I have edited my original submission to provide a “read more” break after the first paragraph of the Mayor’s letter on account of space considerations.
The entire letter is well worth your reading time. If you did not sign up for Bridgewater’s e-mail distribution list, yet would like to read a full account of Mayor Flannery’s achievements in her own words, just click on the “read more” link below:
Dear Bridgewater Residents, Board and Committee members, and Staff:
Below is the complete text of her communiqué to the citizens of Bridgewater.
I have edited my original submission to provide a “read more” break after the first paragraph of the Mayor’s letter on account of space considerations.
The entire letter is well worth your reading time. If you did not sign up for Bridgewater’s e-mail distribution list, yet would like to read a full account of Mayor Flannery’s achievements in her own words, just click on the “read more” link below:
Dear Bridgewater Residents, Board and Committee members, and Staff:
I write today to tell you that I have decided not to seek reelection. I will retire as mayor at the completion of my term at the end of this year. Serving as Mayor has been an honor, a challenge, and an enriching and time consuming experience. I have truly enjoyed working with each of you, and most importantly, I am proud of our accomplishments over the last seven years.
Controlling taxes was our top priority every year, and as you know, our municipal taxes continue to be a very small portion of your property tax bill and among the lowest in our state. I initiated an Economic Development Committee and Economic Development Officer to watch over our valuable ratable base.
Sanofi-aventis made Bridgewater its national headquarters and continues to expand their facilities. The Mall instituted the Life Styles Center and made significant upgrades. And we welcomed Goldman-Sachs, QualComm and an expanded STS facility.
Sanofi-aventis made Bridgewater its national headquarters and continues to expand their facilities. The Mall instituted the Life Styles Center and made significant upgrades. And we welcomed Goldman-Sachs, QualComm and an expanded STS facility.
Land Use issues are clearly a priority in terms of time, interest, and impact on the quality of our lives. During my tenure we did a comprehensive review of the Master Plan and eliminated zoning that would have allowed additional high density senior housing (now market rental units).
We eliminated flag lots, increased certain residential buffers, obligated developers to pay for reviews of their applications, limited FAR requirements to control size of development and maintain the character of our neighborhoods, added landscaping requirements and eliminated clear cutting of trees.
We completed the preservation of the last major farm in the township, made significant improvements to Harry Ally and Crim Parks and passed the Open Space/Recreation referendum. We are in the process of constructing the turf fields on the municipal complex and high school sites, thus meeting our active field needs for our children for the foreseeable future.
Together with the recently completed Open Space and Recreation, Circulation and Economic Development Elements to the Master Plan, these accomplishments will protect our natural resources and determine where growth is appropriate.
We eliminated flag lots, increased certain residential buffers, obligated developers to pay for reviews of their applications, limited FAR requirements to control size of development and maintain the character of our neighborhoods, added landscaping requirements and eliminated clear cutting of trees.
We completed the preservation of the last major farm in the township, made significant improvements to Harry Ally and Crim Parks and passed the Open Space/Recreation referendum. We are in the process of constructing the turf fields on the municipal complex and high school sites, thus meeting our active field needs for our children for the foreseeable future.
Together with the recently completed Open Space and Recreation, Circulation and Economic Development Elements to the Master Plan, these accomplishments will protect our natural resources and determine where growth is appropriate.
Technology innovations have been everywhere in the township. The municipal website has become an active site for news items, agendas, minutes, bids, recreation programs and health bulletins.
Our quarterly newsletter is electronic and we will soon accept online payments for taxes and sewer. We have made millions of dollars of improvements to our roads and drainage projects. We have and will continue to work on ways to mitigate traffic concerns on Routes 22, 202 and 206.
Our quarterly newsletter is electronic and we will soon accept online payments for taxes and sewer. We have made millions of dollars of improvements to our roads and drainage projects. We have and will continue to work on ways to mitigate traffic concerns on Routes 22, 202 and 206.
Our Office of Emergency Management conducts emergency preparedness exercises. Our Environmental Office continues to oversee the clean-up of the American Cyanamid superfund site. We recently instituted a “Thinking Green” initiative. The Township was recently awarded the “Sustainable Jersey” designation, one of only 67 communities in New Jersey to achieve this recognition.
I have spent considerable time representing our interests in the fight for reasonable affordable housing regulations that are not another financial disincentive to living in New Jersey, and do not add to increased density of development.
I have chaired the statewide Mayor’s committee, met with stakeholders in the housing, building and environmental camps, testified at legislative hearings and met with key legislative and administrative policy makers to propose alternatives to the current system. This battle continues and I remain an active participant.
I have chaired the statewide Mayor’s committee, met with stakeholders in the housing, building and environmental camps, testified at legislative hearings and met with key legislative and administrative policy makers to propose alternatives to the current system. This battle continues and I remain an active participant.
I am particularly proud of the completion of the construction and renovations to the municipal complex, while remaining in budget. We completed the needs assessment, hired the architect and the contractor.
The historic wall monument, which was funded solely with contributions, will be complete this spring. The building and the site are a community resource, from the enhanced Council Meeting chambers to the open, WiFi accessible plaza, to the ballfields, animal shelter, walking path and continuation of Kidstreet.
The historic wall monument, which was funded solely with contributions, will be complete this spring. The building and the site are a community resource, from the enhanced Council Meeting chambers to the open, WiFi accessible plaza, to the ballfields, animal shelter, walking path and continuation of Kidstreet.
I have enjoyed having the chance to meet with you and understand your concerns and ideas through outreach at ribbon cutting ceremonies, fire and rescue squad dinners, Eagle Scout ceremonies, religious ceremonies and cultural programs, sports events, and Memorial Day, Fourth of July and September 11th observances.
Democracy flourishes with new blood and new ideas, and after 12 years of public service I believe it is time for me to step aside. I will remain an interested and participating resident. I look forward to continuing our relationship, although in a different direction.
Rest assured I will give the next eleven months my full attention and dedication. It is a privilege to be your mayor. I continue to love government service and the daily opportunity to find solutions to the challenges that face our community.
Thank you for the time and effort you give to the township. You have served as an inspiration to me.
Most sincerely,
Pat Flannery, Mayor
Bridgewater Township
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