Mayor's  Message 2008

  2007 began as a dream that many thought was just that, a dream that our 2007 Borough Council could work as a cohesive, unified unit to leave politics out so that we could do great things.  Paul Velery once said, "The best way to make your dreams come true is to wake up." and that is what we did.

  This past year we were all unified in doing what was right for Roseland.  I would like to thank each and every councilperson, employees and volunteers for their cooperation and their commitment to exploring different ways  of doing things last year, and I look forward to continued cooperation.. Gary Koyen said, "if you don't do something differently, you'll end up where you are headed."  We changed the direction of Roseland in 2007.  It wasn't easy, but we were successful in not raising the Municipal portion of our taxes, while providing the infrastructure improvements necessary in the Borough.  Some of the improvements include:
           * street repaving and drainage
           * upgrades to our pump stations
           * upgrades to our center
           * upgrades to our recreation facilities and the walkway
behind Borough Hall connecting the 2 parking areas.

  With a bi-partisan cohesiveness we were successful in winning lawsuits and slashing legal costs.  Our new legal team has saved over one million dollars in legal fees and costs.  This pas year, through a self conducted audit of legal bills, it came to our attention that our Borough is due a substantial amount of monies related to past litigation.  I have suggested to the council it seek advice from an independent legal consultant to guide us in the right direction as to what options the Borough has in protecting our interests and recovering all monies due the Borough from the insurance carrier or prior legal council.