Thank you for joining us today in this celebration of our American freedoms.  Words cannot capture the emotions that I feel upon taking the oath for Mayor of the town I was born and raised in.   Only in America can a young boy or girl tell his or her playmates, I am going to grow up to be Mayor and actually have that dream come true.  In South Plainfield when you say “Mayor” you think Dan Gallagher.  For sixteen years, the longest tenure of anyone in the history of the borough, Mayor Gallagher made us proud.  He never saw a problem that couldn’t be solved and the proof of his vision and ability is all around us.   Hadley Road looked like a moon crater, Dan Gallagher said lets fix it.  South Plainfield needed senior housing and a senior center, Mayor Gallagher said lets build them.  Our parks and playgrounds were neglected, there was no open space program, debt was accumulating at an alarming rate and tax increases were an annual event with nothing to show for them, Mayor Gallagher didn’t throw up his arms in despair, he said lets get to work.  Because of Dan Gallagher, South Plainfield is the model of fiscal responsibility with the lowest annual municipal tax increase of any town in Middlesex County for the last decade and our debt has been cut in half.  However the thing that has always been closest to Danny’s heart has been Public Safety.    Because of the Mayor’s leadership South Plainfield has the finest and best equipped fire department, police department, rescue squad and emergency management department in the state of New Jersey.  Simply stated, every aspect of life in this great borough has been enhanced because we were blessed to have Dan Gallagher at the helm of our boro for 16 years.  Mr. Mayor, on behalf of every resident of South Plainfield, I thank you for your leadership.  We will be forever grateful.

I also want to thank Councilman Bob Cusick for his six years of service on the Borough Council.  Bob embodies the best of a public servant.  He has never sought publicity or recognition.  From his first day on the council he always simply said “Just tell me what needs to be done and let’s do it.”  As Chair of Public Works for 5 years and Administration and Finance last year, Bob is respected by every employee of this borough as a straight talker who only wants to do the right thing for our taxpayers.  Bob thank you for your honesty and hard work.  It has been a pleasure to work with you. 

Welcome to Councilmember Joe Scrudato and welcome back to Councilmembers Ray Petronko and Kathy Thomas.  Today you have achieved the highest title that anyone can obtain in a Democracy, that of “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 and to never abuse that trust.

2006 was a year of unparalleled achievement for South Plainfield.  Improvements were made in more areas than at any time in our history.   Above all the highlights of 2006 was the completion of Phase I of the Hamilton Boulevard project.  After years of discussion we have begun to address the daunting problem of traffic in our borough.   You can already see the results.  With the additional turning lanes and traffic signals at Ryan Street and Saint Nicholas Avenue traffic is moving much more efficiently.  Equally as important is the positive impact of the beautiful decorative lighting and paving.  What a difference coming onto Hamilton Boulevard from the mess it was just over a year ago.  The widening of Durham Avenue to four lanes is complete and the additional turning lane on the exit ramp off route 287 is almost done.  When all of these are completed traffic can move smoothly all the way from the 287 ramp up to St. Nicholas Avenue where trucks are required to exit.  And speaking of truck traffic, In November, the New Jersey Department of Transportation approved the truck ban on Hamilton Boulevard and Belmont Avenue and what a difference it has made to those of us who live off the boulevard.  Thank you to our hometown Freeholder John Pulomena and our hometown Assemblyman Patrick Diegnan for obtaining county and state funds for these projects which, when finished, will total over 12 million dollars. 

As we enter 2007, I can honestly say the best is yet to come in South Plainfield. 

First let’s talk about traffic:  Hamilton Boulevard Phase I is complete and Phase ll is now underway.  Of course as with any road project, the prefatory work takes the most time.  New storm sewers and relocation of utilities will take several months and the actual road widening and construction will begin in the late spring.   When completed Hamilton Boulevard will be four lanes from the intersection with Durham Ave all the way to Stelton Road.  In addition a traffic light will be installed at the intersection of South Clinton Avenue along with turning lanes.  This improvement will greatly enhance traffic flow and encourage trucks to use South Clinton Avenue.   I also propose that we install a traffic light at the intersection of South Clinton Avenue and St. Nicholas Ave.  Now that trucks are required to use St. Nicholas there is a backup at South Clinton.  Installing a traffic signal will eliminate this problem.  In addition we will be widening the intersection of South Clinton Avenue and New Market Avenue as well as Metuchen Road and Belmont Avenue in the spring so that trucks can better navigate these turns.  Most importantly we have acquired the three buildings next to the Hamilton Boulevard Industrial Complex which will be demolished in the next couple of months.  We are negotiating with the owner of the Industrial Complex to obtain the property to extend New Market Avenue straight across Hamilton Boulevard.  By this time next year that project will be completed.  I couldn’t be prouder of being able to accomplish every part of this detailed traffic plan which was unveiled last year.  It has come to be known as “Charlie Butrico’s traffic Plan” but in all honesty it took years to develop and Council members Cerami, Thomas, Cusick and of course Mayor Gallagher deserve to share in the credit.  

Let’s talk about the Helen Street extension.  With all humility, no one has worked harder to see this project completed than me.  I estimate that I have spent over 1,000 hours working with the experts and the state and federal agencies to move the project along.  It’s difficult because of the pristine wetlands that are affected.  Its not that the NJ DEP and DOT don’t want to work with us, just the opposite is true, Assembly Diegnan has arranged numerous meetings with the Commissioners of both departments.  This is a federally funded project, which requires that every environmental issue be addressed as we proceed.  Of course it’s frustrating and I know it will come up in every election campaign by those who choose to mistake the facts for political gain.  I have never denied that it will take time.  It won’t be done this year and it may not be completed for another decade but as long as I am your Mayor we will not give up on Helen Street.  I particularly want to thank Debbie Boyle and Jane Dornick for their efforts in garnering citizen support for the project.

Next let’s talk about open space.  Over the last decade we have permanently preserved over 100 acres from development.  We have just acquired the old bus lot on New Market Avenue and will be demolishing the buildings in the spring.  I direct Council member Petronko and the Recreation Commission to evaluate adding that parcel to the recreation complex on Pitt Street.  We will be preserving six acres across from the Elks lodge on New Market Avenue which will be annexed to the Highland Woods Environmental Preserve.  I ask Doctor Temple our environmental officer to examine the feasibility of making another entrance to the preserve at that location.  I believe it would enhance the facility.   Middlesex County is also negotiating with the owners of Halls Trucking to obtain the property they own on Oak Tree Ave which was formerly the WERA facility.  I encourage Halls to work with them to make this open space.   We will also be preserving approximately 20 acres on Metuchen Road near the Edison border.   All of these open space acquisitions were financed through the Middlesex County Open Space fund with the invaluable assistance of our hometown Freeholder John Pulomena.

Next I want to address infrastructure improvements.   Council member Thomas and the library board have done an outstanding job working with the architect to design a state of the art library which will be aesthetically pleasing, functional and within budget.  We will be putting the financing in place within the next few months and then going out to bid.  Construction will be underway by late summer. We are also working closely with the USEPA to begin the demolition of the buildings at the old Cornell Dubilier site.  That project will begin soon and will dramatically improve the appearance of that area of town.  Of course, we will continue to upgrade our parks, recreational facilities and senior services this year and we will again join with the county to mill and top 6 additional roads on a pay as you go basis.

Now let’s talk taxes.   Through hard work this governing body has the best record in Middlesex County for keeping the municipal portion of property taxes under control.  We just adopted a budget that included a 3% increase in expenses as a result of increased health care costs and pension costs.  Just as it’s difficult to keep your household expenses flat, it is equally difficult for the borough.  But none of us are satisfied.  As you may know, we made a campaign promise that there would not be a municipal tax increase this year.   I expect to keep that promise.  Councilmember Thomas and members of the Administration and Finance Committee get to work.  It won’t be easy but if we work together we can accomplish this goal.

Finally let’s talk ethics.   I am proud that we passed the toughest pay to play ordinance in the state last year.  To expand on that I would like to make it a requirement for every person running for public office to be required to fill out a campaign disclosure form.  By state law every elected or appointed official is required to complete a financial disclosure statement each year.  This is a very simple one page document that lists the source of income of the individual and spouse, and their financial holdings including real estate. I think the residents of this town have the right to know about potential conflicts before they vote for a candidate for public office.  I am directing the Borough Attorney to draft an Ordinance requiring that any candidate for Mayor or Council must complete the identical disclosure statement that they are required to fill out after election.  It will then be posted on the official borough web site.  This simple step will disclose any potential conflicts of interest.  Let’s once again have South Plainfield lead the way on setting the standard for ethics in government.

As you can see, 2007 promises to be a challenging, exciting and fulfilling year.   Now its time to get to work.  

On a personal note, I want to thank my wife Sherry and my daughters Dana, Kristie and Michelle, my mom and my brothers, my in-laws, nephews and nieces and the rest of my extended family for joining me today. Nothing is more important to me than my family.  There is one person who is not here in body but is definitely here in spirit.   I know he is looking down on us and beaming with joy.   Thanks Dad for making me the man that I am.  I promise I will do my best to make you proud.

Thank you all for coming and may God bless you and your families in the New Year.