MAYOR'S NEWSLINE

July 2005

IMPORTANT EVENTS - PAST AND FUTURE
And staff contacts for more information
Also consult the calendar
For Seminar details, contact David Harkness ext. 18.

INSIDE THIS ISSUE Conference Highlights Mayors Hall of Fame Nominations Register Online for Conference League Closes on New Headquarters League Certificates for Dedicated Service

FROM THE PRESIDENT
By Peter Cantu, Mayor, Plainsboro

On May 16, the Assembly passed A-5269, which would put the citziens' property tax convention question on this November's ballot. On May 19, Senate President Codey referred the bill to the Senate Judiciary Committee. On May 23, it was joined by a companion bill, S-2585. But, to date, this crucial matter has not even been considered in the Senate.

On June 16, League Executive Board Member and Chairman of our Property Tax Reform Committee, Mayor Gary Passanante of Somerdale, spoke to hundreds of local elected officials and concerned citizens from all around the State at a rally on the Statehouse steps, which was co-sponsored by the League of Municipalities, AARP-NJ, the Citizens for Property Tax Reform, the Black Ministers Council of New Jersey, and others. Mayor Passanante urged the State Senate to permit the people of New Jersey to decide for themselves if they want to empower a special citizens' convention to propose meaningful and lasting reforms to remedy our State's property tax crisis.

In part, Mayor Passanante said, "… I want to thank all of you for coming to Trenton today to tell your State Senators, 'You've got the bill. You've got the power. Now is the time. LET THE PEOPLE SPEAK. " Sadly, the Senate left Trenton for Summer Recess without even considering the bills.

EXECUTIVE BOARD

90TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS
-Contact www.njslom.org

The League web site has housing and session schedule information available to view and download.

Click on www.njslom.org and go to the link for 90th Annual Conference to get housing forms and a preliminary schedule of topics that will be covered in League sessions. You can also view an early list of exhibitors. Prepare a "must visit" list of vendors.

When scheduling your time at the Annual Conference, don't forget to attend the Consulting Period on Thursday, November 17, from 2-4 p.m. where you can speak one-on-one with hundreds of consultants and State agency representatives. Also, be sure to schedule the League Business Meeting on Friday at 8:30 a.m. in the Sheraton Hotel.

90TH ANNUAL LEAGUE CONFERENCE
ONLINE REGISRATION
-Contact www.njslom.org

Local officials will be able to register for the 90th Annual League Conference online, beginning August 1. In addition to paper registration, officials will be able to go to the League web site. Take advantage of this new and easy way to pre-register for the Conference to be held in Atlantic City, November 15-18, 2005. Full registration information will be sent to all Municipal Clerks during the first week of August 2005.

DISPLAY YOUR LEAGUE MEMBERSHIP PLAQUE
-Contact Becky Wright ext. 10

Every member municipality receives a League membership plaque for display in your municipal building. The plaque may have been lost, damaged or broken over time. If yours is missing, the League will gladly replace it. The blue and white member plaque shows that you are a member of the oldest and largest organization dedicated to serving the interests of New Jersey's municipal governing bodies. Let your fellow municipal officials and employees know that your town is not alone in the fight for good government. Just send a note to the League office and we will rush a replacement to your municipal building. Let everyone know your municipality is a member of the New Jersey State League of Municipalities.

SEEKING MAYORS' HALL OF FAME NOMINATIONS
-Contact Michael Darcy ext. 16 or mdarcy@njslom.com

The League is accepting nominations for the 2005 Mayors' Hall of Fame. To qualify, a mayor must be serving in at least their tenth cumulative year for the silver level or twentieth year for the gold level. Mayors who rotate into office can qualify after holding the office of mayor for ten years.

Qualifying mayors will be inducted into the New Jersey State League of Municipalities Mayors' Hall of Fame during the Mayors' Luncheon at the Annual Conference Wednesday, November 16 in Atlantic City. For more information about the Mayors' Hall of Fame, visit our web site at www.njslom.org or contact the League office.

LEAGUE CLOSES ON NEW HEADQUARTERS
-Contact Bill Dressel ext. 22

On June 8, 2005, The League of Municipalities closed on its new headquarters property located at 222 West State Street in Trenton. The property is the former Ferdinand Roebling mansion built in the 1880's. The building will be restored and provide 15,000 feet of office space. The League plans to lease some of the space and tentatively plans to move into the building in about a year. For more information and leasing opportunities, contact the League.

LEAGUE SEEKS TO RECOGNIZE LOCAL OFFICALS FOR LONG TERM DEDICATED SERVICE
-Contact Bill Dressel ext. 22

The League of Municipalities would like the opportunity to honor municipal officials who are retiring and those with outstanding and dedicated service. The League will provide a certificate of appreciation in person or give it to your mayor or another official for presentation to the honoree. Please let us know who these individuals are so the League can recognize officials with exceptional records of service to local government.

2005 ALARM FEES AND FALSE ALARM
PENALTIES PUBLICATION
-Contact Becky Wright ext. 10

This updated booklet lists the alarm fees and false alarm penalties for 379 of New Jersey's municipalities, as well as

MAYOR'S NEWSLINE July 2005 Offices: 407 West State St. Trenton, New Jersey 08618 609-695-3481 Fax 695-0151 E-Mail mdarcy@njslom.com www.njslom.com   IMPORTANT EVENTS - PAST AND FUTURE And staff contacts for more information Also consult the calendar For Seminar details, contact David Harkness ext. 18. July 4 Independence Day Sept. 5 Labor Day Sept. 7 League Seminar "Pensions Update" at Holmdel Sept. 13 League Seminar "Records Management Update" at Freehold Sept. 14 League Seminar " Preventing Gangs and Youth Violence Summit" at Lawrenceville Sept. 16 League Seminar "Records Management Update" at Cherry Hill Oct. 11 League Seminar "Interest Arbitration" at Freehold Oct. 14 League Seminar "Preserving the Public Trust" at Holmdel INSIDE THIS ISSUE Conference Highlights Mayors Hall of Fame Nominations Register Online for Conference League Closes on New Headquarters League Certificates for Dedicated Service FROM THE PRESIDENT By Peter Cantu, Mayor, Plainsboro On May 16, the Assembly passed A-5269, which would put the citziens' property tax convention question on this November's ballot. On May 19, Senate President Codey referred the bill to the Senate Judiciary Committee. On May 23, it was joined by a companion bill, S-2585. But, to date, this crucial matter has not even been considered in the Senate. On June 16, League Executive Board Member and Chairman of our Property Tax Reform Committee, Mayor Gary Passanante of Somerdale, spoke to hundreds of local elected officials and concerned citizens from all around the State at a rally on the Statehouse steps, which was co-sponsored by the League of Municipalities, AARP-NJ, the Citizens for Property Tax Reform, the Black Ministers Council of New Jersey, and others. Mayor Passanante urged the State Senate to permit the people of New Jersey to decide for themselves if they want to empower a special citizens' convention to propose meaningful and lasting reforms to remedy our State's property tax crisis. In part, Mayor Passanante said, "… I want to thank all of you for coming to Trenton today to tell your State Senators, 'You've got the bill. You've got the power. Now is the time. LET THE PEOPLE SPEAK. " Sadly, the Senate left Trenton for Summer Recess without even considering the bills. EXECUTIVE BOARD OFFICERS PETER A. CANTU, President;   Mayor, Plainsboro HERBERT D. STILES, JR., 1st Vice President   Mayor, Elmer DAVID M. DEL VECCHIO, 2nd Vice President   Mayor, Lambertville GENE FEYL, 3rd Vice President   Mayor, Denville MEMBERS JAMES ANZALDI   Mayor, Clifton WILLIAM W. BAIN, JR.   Mayor, Deptford JOAN BOAS   Deputy Mayor, Mount Holly ROBERT BOWSER   Mayor, East Orange THOMAS J. BYRNE III   Mayor, Spring Lake LAWRENCE G. CHIARAVALLO   Mayor, South Belmar CHUCK CHIARELLO    Mayor, Buena Vista DANIEL N. CORANOTO   Deputy Mayor, Hampton Twp. SUZANNE C. DAPKINS    Mayor, Long Hill JOHN DEAN DERIENZO    Mayor, Haworth MALCOLM C. FRASER   Mayor, Cape May Point GLEN D. GILMORE   Mayor, Hamilton Twp. (Mercer) JERRAMIAH HEALY    Mayor, Jersey City SHARPE JAMES   Mayor, Newark (Ex-Officio) MARTIN MARKS   Mayor, Scotch Plains TIMOTHY MCDONOUGH   Mayor, Hope GARY PASSANANTE   Mayor, Somerdale DOUGLAS M. RAINEAR    Deputy Mayor, Upper Deerfield   Twp. JO-ANNE SCHUBERT    Mayor, South Bound Brook JOSEPH TEMPESTA   Mayor, West Caldwell DANIEL VAN PELT   Mayor, Ocean Twp. (Ocean) RUDOLPH J. WENZEL, JR.   Mayor, Washington Twp. (Bergen) Executive Staff William G. Dressel, Jr.   Executive Director Michael J. Darcy, CAE   Assistant Executive Director       90TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS -Contact www.njslom.org The League web site has housing and session schedule information available to view and download. Click on www.njslom.org and go to the link for 90th Annual Conference to get housing forms and a preliminary schedule of topics that will be covered in League sessions. You can also view an early list of exhibitors. Prepare a "must visit" list of vendors. When scheduling your time at the Annual Conference, don't forget to attend the Consulting Period on Thursday, November 17, from 2-4 p.m. where you can speak one-on-one with hundreds of consultants and State agency representatives. Also, be sure to schedule the League Business Meeting on Friday at 8:30 a.m. in the Sheraton Hotel. 90TH ANNUAL LEAGUE CONFERENCE ONLINE REGISRATION -Contact www.njslom.org Local officials will be able to register for the 90th Annual League Conference online, beginning August 1. In addition to paper registration, officials will be able to go to the League web site. Take advantage of this new and easy way to pre-register for the Conference to be held in Atlantic City, November 15-18, 2005. Full registration information will be sent to all Municipal Clerks during the first week of August 2005. DISPLAY YOUR LEAGUE MEMBERSHIP PLAQUE -Contact Becky Wright ext. 10 Every member municipality receives a League membership plaque for display in your municipal building. The plaque may have been lost, damaged or broken over time. If yours is missing, the League will gladly replace it. The blue and white member plaque shows that you are a member of the oldest and largest organization dedicated to serving the interests of New Jersey's municipal governing bodies. Let your fellow municipal officials and employees know that your town is not alone in the fight for good government. Just send a note to the League office and we will rush a replacement to your municipal building. Let everyone know your municipality is a member of the New Jersey State League of Municipalities. SEEKING MAYORS' HALL OF FAME NOMINATIONS -Contact Michael Darcy ext. 16 or mdarcy@njslom.com The League is accepting nominations for the 2005 Mayors' Hall of Fame. To qualify, a mayor must be serving in at least their tenth cumulative year for the silver level or twentieth year for the gold level. Mayors who rotate into office can qualify after holding the office of mayor for ten years. Qualifying mayors will be inducted into the New Jersey State League of Municipalities Mayors' Hall of Fame during the Mayors' Luncheon at the Annual Conference Wednesday, November 16 in Atlantic City. For more information about the Mayors' Hall of Fame, visit our web site at www.njslom.org or contact the League office. LEAGUE CLOSES ON NEW HEADQUARTERS -Contact Bill Dressel ext. 22 On June 8, 2005, The League of Municipalities closed on its new headquarters property located at 222 West State Street in Trenton. The property is the former Ferdinand Roebling mansion built in the 1880's. The building will be restored and provide 15,000 feet of office space. The League plans to lease some of the space and tentatively plans to move into the building in about a year. For more information and leasing opportunities, contact the League. LEAGUE SEEKS TO RECOGNIZE LOCAL OFFICALS FOR LONG TERM DEDICATED SERVICE -Contact Bill Dressel ext. 22 The League of Municipalities would like the opportunity to honor municipal officials who are retiring and those with outstanding and dedicated service. The League will provide a certificate of appreciation in person or give it to your mayor or another official for presentation to the honoree. Please let us know who these individuals are so the League can recognize officials with exceptional records of service to local government. 2005 ALARM FEES AND FALSE ALARM PENALTIES PUBLICATION -Contact Becky Wright ext. 10 This updated booklet lists the alarm fees and false alarm penalties for 379 of New Jersey's municipalities, as well as statewide averages and medians. Contact the League to place an order or go to www.njslom.org for a complete list of available publications.