Politics & Government

Mayor Bonaccorso Talks Miele's Controversy, 2012 Budget in State of Town Address

The mayor pointed to fiscal responsibility and teamwork as key to town's successes.

Mayor Bonaccorso gave his annual State of the Township address at Clark Council’s reorganization meeting on Monday.

Now entering his 12th year as mayor, Bonaccorso stressed fiscal discipline and teamwork as the keys to Clark’s success.

“It’s a pleasure to work together as a team without obstacles, personal agendas along the way,” said Bonaccorso after thanking the many different leaders and departments that govern Clark.

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“When you build a strong, stable, safe and happy community with a top-notch school system, property values go up,” said Bonaccorso. “The township as a whole becomes more desirable. From singles to seniors we all benefit inevitably.”

Bonaccorso thanked especially Emergency Management Coordinator Jerry Fewkes, who had a busy year dealing with Hurricane Irene and the Halloween snowstorm.

Find out what's happening in Clark-Garwoodwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“My heart is in this town. I grew up here, it’s where I went to school and chose to raise my family,” Bonaccorso continued. “Where do we go from here? I truly believe Clark will continue to grow and be on the upward path we’ve been on for some years now.”

Bonaccorso then addressed the controversy surrounding

“This past year signs appeared in the First Ward claiming that Clark is an overdeveloped community. I disagree,” said Bonaccorso. “Our master plan confirms that 1/3 of our township is open space. I believe the neighbors in the area of the Miele’s property have an issue with a proposed development of that property, and that is their right. And I respect that right. However, please folks, we understand what one project means to you – don’t cloud the rest of this community. … The Miele property was zoned for townhouses in 1991. Not now. Not by this mayor. Not by this council.”

The mayor went on to explain that the project was zoned to meet low-income housing requirements in 1991, but that the low-housing obligation for this property is being paid for instead of being built.

“I, too, would have liked to have seen the garden center remain as it was, but it’s not my property," the mayor continued. "Changes occur and it’s part of life, folks. We should look at the change as a good thing and accept it and move on. This new development if you look at the plans, it’s going to kind of mirror the Log Cabin Estates on Raritan Road, and I think you’ll agree the Log Cabin has been an asset to the township and not a detriment.”

Bonaccorso then referenced “I’m so proud that we can afford to fill these positions unlike other towns who are cutting public safety,” he said.

The mayor closed by referencing the 2012 budget that is being prepared.

“All services Clark residents have grown accustomed to and enjoy will remain in this budget,” he said. “Bulky cleanup, branch cleanup, grass cleanup, Fourth of July fireworks, tree lighting, breakfast with Santa, Easter egg hunt, and new senior bus all will be ours to enjoy, and we go on and on.

Bonaccorso said that the proposed budget will have a very minimal tax increase and pointed to smart spending as key to making the budget reasonable.

“Even with extra costs from Irene and the Halloween snowstorm, hours of unexpected overtime, cost upon cost, we survived and will still provide services with only a small increase,” said Bonaccorso.

The mayor pointed to added tax rateables from the Clark age-restricted housing project and the "L’Oreal billion dollar commitment to Clark” as further examples that Clark is on the rise, adding that 2/3 of the rateables from those projects will go directly to the school system and the children of this town.

“Clark is truly on the fiscal cutting edge,” said Bonaccorso. “Governor Christie talks about this type of government. I say to Mr. Governor, look up. It’s been happening in Clark long before you become Governor of this state.”

The mayor closed by stating, “Over the past year we had triumphs and we had tragedies, but always we came together as one to stand beside our neighbors and friends when we needed each other the most. That is truly our Clark.”

 

Other notes from the Reorganization Meeting:

Sheila Whiting was sworn in as council president and Pat O’Connor as vice president. For other committee and board appointments, see the agenda in our gallery above.

Council also introduced an ordinance to appropriate $75,000 for a new senior bus. That ordinance will have its public hearing at the Jan. 17 council meeting.


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