MAYOR'S NEWSLINE

September 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 Submit Conference Resolutions Conference Pre-Registration Deadline League Grant Advisory Service Reinvigorate Local Recycling League/DCA Innovation in Governance Awards

FROM THE PRESIDENT
By Peter Cantu, Mayor, Plainsboro

Your League continues the fight for property tax reform. On July 20, 2005, League officers met with Acting Governor Codey to discuss prospects for property tax relief. I was joined by League Executive Board Members Mayor Jo-Anne B. Schubert of South Bound Brook, Mayor Gary Passanante of Somerdale, and Maplewood Township Vice Mayor David Huemer.

We expressed our disappointment on the Senate's failure to act on the State's property tax crisis and asked the Acting Governor and Senate President to take the lead and address our over reliance on property taxes.

Senator Codey said he could not move the citizens' convention proposal through the Senate, due to lack of support for the bill, as drafted. Senators opposed the bill because delegates would be elected in the spring, the convention would not be able to address spending issues, and any tax reform process would increase income taxes.

There is a strong likelihood that he, as Senate President, will have the Senate meet in a special session to address this crisis in April 2006. However, we reject the argument that the Legislature has to act on EITHER a special session OR a citizens' convention. Passage of a citizens' convention bill does not preclude the possibility of legislative progress on property tax reform, through either the Legislature's regular course of business or through a special session. If the Legislature enacts real and substantial reforms, then there will be no need for a special convention. If they do not, then there must be one.

EXECUTIVE BOARD

SUBMIT LEAGUE CONFERENCE RESOLUTIONS
-Contact Mike Cerra ext.20

The Conference Resolutions Committee will consider resolutions from officials who are currently in municipal office. All resolutions must be general and relate to municipal government interests. Resolutions must be received in the League office by October 21, 2005. Contact the League for more information.

INNOVATION IN GOVERNANCE AWARDS
-Contact Brian Bauerle, (609) 292-6420 or njslom.org/governance_awards.html

The Department of Community Affairs and the League invite you to submit nominations for the Fourth Annual Innovation in Governance Awards. Contact the DCA for additional information.

HELP REINVIGORATE LOCAL RECYCLING
-Contact Guy Watson, Bureau of Recycling and Planning (609) 984-3438

The Department of Environmental Protection recently released its draft Statewide Solid Waste Management Plan Update, which intends to reinvigorate recycling in New Jersey. Data from the DEP shows that some municipalities are not fully complying with the Recycling Act and that recycling rates are in decline across the state. The greatest tendency for non-conformance exists at non-residential locations. The placement of recycling receptacles in strategic places at schools, soccer fields, tennis courts, little league complexes, train stations, and bus stops can help make recycling a matter of practice. For more information on the initiatives, contact the Bureau of Recycling and Planning.

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION WELCOME SIGN PROGRAM
-Contact www.njdot.nj.gov

The New Jersey Department of Transportation has established a Program known as the Municipal Welcome Sign Program, which will allow municipalities to fabricate, install and maintain decorative Welcome Signs on DOT highway rights of way. The program will be administered by the Bureau of Maintenance, Engineering and Operations under the auspices of the Adopt-A-Highway Program. The Adopt-A-Highway Program manager, with the assistance of The Office of Traffic Engineering, will be responsible for all aspects of the program, including locating signs and administering documents associated with the program. For more information, visit the above web site.

CONFERENCE PRE-REGISTRATION DEADLINE
-Contact Marie Johnson ext.13 or njslom.org and click on the link for 90th Annual Conference

The League's Annual Conference pre-registration forms were mailed to all Municipal Clerks in early August. The cut-off date for pre-registrations is October 3, 2005. Persons not registered by that date must do so on site in Atlantic City. The forms are available at www.njslom.org. Delegates now have the option of registering online using a voucher or purchase order. Take advantage of the convenient new League service to get registered early.

LEAGUE GRANT ADVISORY SERVICE
-Contact Pat Bohse (732) 291-8038

Take advantage of this free grant consultation service. Included are the following: Telephone and e-mail consultation; monthly grant writing tips to build your municipal toolbox to secure new funding; and sharing success stories of other municipalities in seeking monies, goods, services, or professional volunteers. See more details at www.njslom.org.

LEAGUE MAYORS PINS AND DECALS
-Contact Tom Fratticcioli ext. 17

All Mayors receive a special League Mayor pin and decal as they begin their first term. If these items are lost, misplaced or damaged, the League will gladly replace them. The pin and decal signify that your municipality is a member of an organization dedicated to serving the interests of New Jersey's municipal governing bodies. Contact the League and items that need replacement will be rushed to your attention.

HARVARD SEEKS AWARD NOMINATIONS FROM LOCAL GOVERNMENTS
-Contact www.innovationsaward.harvard.edu/

Harvard University invites you to apply for an Innovations in American Government Award.

All units of government-federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial-within the United States are eligible to apply.

Each of the winners of the 2006 Innovations Aw

MAYOR'S NEWSLINE September 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. 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 "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 Oct. 18 League Seminar "Eminent Domain Issues" at Freehold Dec. 6 League Seminar "Ethics Update" at Freehold INSIDE THIS ISSUE Submit Conference Resolutions Conference Pre-Registration Deadline League Grant Advisory Service Reinvigorate Local Recycling League/DCA Innovation in Governance Awards FROM THE PRESIDENT By Peter Cantu, Mayor, Plainsboro Your League continues the fight for property tax reform. On July 20, 2005, League officers met with Acting Governor Codey to discuss prospects for property tax relief. I was joined by League Executive Board Members Mayor Jo-Anne B. Schubert of South Bound Brook, Mayor Gary Passanante of Somerdale, and Maplewood Township Vice Mayor David Huemer. We expressed our disappointment on the Senate's failure to act on the State's property tax crisis and asked the Acting Governor and Senate President to take the lead and address our over reliance on property taxes. Senator Codey said he could not move the citizens' convention proposal through the Senate, due to lack of support for the bill, as drafted. Senators opposed the bill because delegates would be elected in the spring, the convention would not be able to address spending issues, and any tax reform process would increase income taxes. There is a strong likelihood that he, as Senate President, will have the Senate meet in a special session to address this crisis in April 2006. However, we reject the argument that the Legislature has to act on EITHER a special session OR a citizens' convention. Passage of a citizens' convention bill does not preclude the possibility of legislative progress on property tax reform, through either the Legislature's regular course of business or through a special session. If the Legislature enacts real and substantial reforms, then there will be no need for a special convention. If they do not, then there must be one. 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       SUBMIT LEAGUE CONFERENCE RESOLUTIONS -Contact Mike Cerra ext.20 The Conference Resolutions Committee will consider resolutions from officials who are currently in municipal office. All resolutions must be general and relate to municipal government interests. Resolutions must be received in the League office by October 21, 2005. Contact the League for more information. INNOVATION IN GOVERNANCE AWARDS -Contact Brian Bauerle, (609) 292-6420 or njslom.org/governance_awards.html The Department of Community Affairs and the League invite you to submit nominations for the Fourth Annual Innovation in Governance Awards. Contact the DCA for additional information. HELP REINVIGORATE LOCAL RECYCLING -Contact Guy Watson, Bureau of Recycling and Planning (609) 984-3438 The Department of Environmental Protection recently released its draft Statewide Solid Waste Management Plan Update, which intends to reinvigorate recycling in New Jersey. Data from the DEP shows that some municipalities are not fully complying with the Recycling Act and that recycling rates are in decline across the state. The greatest tendency for non-conformance exists at non-residential locations. The placement of recycling receptacles in strategic places at schools, soccer fields, tennis courts, little league complexes, train stations, and bus stops can help make recycling a matter of practice. For more information on the initiatives, contact the Bureau of Recycling and Planning. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION WELCOME SIGN PROGRAM -Contact www.njdot.nj.gov The New Jersey Department of Transportation has established a Program known as the Municipal Welcome Sign Program, which will allow municipalities to fabricate, install and maintain decorative Welcome Signs on DOT highway rights of way. The program will be administered by the Bureau of Maintenance, Engineering and Operations under the auspices of the Adopt-A-Highway Program. The Adopt-A-Highway Program manager, with the assistance of The Office of Traffic Engineering, will be responsible for all aspects of the program, including locating signs and administering documents associated with the program. For more information, visit the above web site. CONFERENCE PRE-REGISTRATION DEADLINE -Contact Marie Johnson ext.13 or njslom.org and click on the link for 90th Annual Conference The League's Annual Conference pre-registration forms were mailed to all Municipal Clerks in early August. The cut-off date for pre-registrations is October 3, 2005. Persons not registered by that date must do so on site in Atlantic City. The forms are available at www.njslom.org. Delegates now have the option of registering online using a voucher or purchase order. Take advantage of the convenient new League service to get registered early. LEAGUE GRANT ADVISORY SERVICE -Contact Pat Bohse (732) 291-8038 Take advantage of this free grant consultation service. Included are the following: Telephone and e-mail consultation; monthly grant writing tips to build your municipal toolbox to secure new funding; and sharing success stories of other municipalities in seeking monies, goods, services, or professional volunteers. See more details at www.njslom.org. LEAGUE MAYORS PINS AND DECALS -Contact Tom Fratticcioli ext. 17 All Mayors receive a special League Mayor pin and decal as they begin their first term. If these items are lost, misplaced or damaged, the League will gladly replace them. The pin and decal signify that your municipality is a member of an organization dedicated to serving the interests of New Jersey's municipal governing bodies. Contact the League and items that need replacement will be rushed to your attention. HARVARD SEEKS AWARD NOMINATIONS FROM LOCAL GOVERNMENTS -Contact www.innovationsaward.harvard.edu/ Harvard University invites you to apply for an Innovations in American Government Award. All units of government-federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial-within the United States are eligible to apply. Each of the winners of the 2006 Innovations Award will receive a $100,000 grant to support replication and dissemination activities. Contact the above site for additional information. Applications are due September 15, 2005.