As we went through 2007 we experienced much in the way of change and progress in the borough.  In the beginning of the year we saw the construction of the new Public Safety Building begin. This building, needed for such a long time, will be completed shortly and will meet the ever changing needs of our police department in the 21^st century and be a facility that all in the borough can be proud of.  Early in 2007 we received a $500,000 grant from the county for improvements at Mountain View Park which, among other things, will include new basketball and tennis courts, lighting and fencing.  We will be proceeding with this work in 2008, and with the cooperation of the Board of Education, will be finished with this phase of improvements in 2009 with the creation of a new lap pool by the Swim Pool Commission where the tennis courts are now located by the pool area.

 Although the economy and real estate in particular did not do well in 2007 we proceeded with everything that was necessary in creating the Lincoln Boulevard Rehabilitation and Redevelopment Plans.  During the year we met with property owners and potential developers about specific properties and also met with county and state officials in regards to processes and grant opportunities in moving forward. The Middlesex County Improvement Authority has worked very closely with us now for two years in regards to Lincoln Boulevard and other projects in the borough.  In 2007 they obtained a grant in our behalf in the amount of $200,000 for Petroleum Site Assessments and we hope to utilize this opportunity in 2008.  With the cooperation and funding from the County Board of Freeholders we were able to acquire, for open space, several properties behind McDonalds.  We presently have title to about 60% of the land there and, with the continued help of the county, will continue to acquire more.  The county has also notified us recently that we will receive a grant for $80,000 for the installation of sidewalks in the Grandview Avenue area leading to the high school and Mountain View Park in 2008.

 Throughout the year the Army Corps. of Engineers has been working on the final cleanup of the old Marine Base/Sampling Plant. Their work will be completed in 2008 and will be an important milestone for the borough.  FEMA also worked with the borough after the April Nor-Easter and reimbursed us for some of the expenses we incurred because of that storm.

 We repaved Orchard Road in 2007 using a $300,000 state grant and will soon repave Beechwood Avenue from Shepherd Avenue to its end at the cul-de-sac by Orchard using a $240,000 state grant. We have also just received notice that we will receive from the state an additional $225,000 in 2008 for the repaving of Greenbrook Road from Rt. 28 to the Green Brook border.     

 In 2007 the county repaved Lincoln Boulevard and South Lincoln Avenue and also installed flood gates on River Road by Lincoln Boulevard.  In 2008 they will begin drainage work in that same location in an attempt to reduce flooding there.

 In 2007 we worked with Piscataway on developing improvements to William Street from Sherman Avenue to its terminus just beyond Mountain Avenue.  The actual work should begin this spring. We are also working together on the proposal to extend William Street to Cedar Avenue and hope to have additional information on that for you as we proceed in 2008.

 With the permission of the school board we created several new smaller sized soccer fields by Mauger School in 2007.  We have also recently established a committee to investigate the feasibility of installing a synthetic turf field where the high school football field presently is.  This committee has begun work already and will have recommendations to us in 2008.  These are important steps as we try to create enough playing areas for our residents and establish a town wide resting schedule for all of our fields.

 Although the Department of Environmental Protection has not given their approval for our remediation plan for the old landfill yet we have moved ahead in anticipation of their approval and developed a conceptual plan for the new park we will create there. This will help us move quickly once we receive the states approval.

 Victor Crowell Park has seen a rebirth with the improvements we have created there using a $500,000 grant we received from the county in 2006. The new aerators, lights, benches and trash receptacles along with renovations to the boathouse, all done in 2007, have enhanced the park greatly.  These improvements, together with our annual fishing derbies in the park, have once again made it a focal point for all Middlesex residents.  Mountain View Park was the setting in 2007 for our Second Concert in the Park featuring the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra.  A fireworks finale followed and the event was a huge success with an approximate attendance of 6,000. This is becoming a great family event and on July 6^th 2008 we will host our third concert there and expect it to be bigger and better than the last. We have also just been told that we will receive a county grant of $4300.00 in 2008 for the concert.

 Yes 2007 was very busy and it helped lay the groundwork for some of the things we’ll be doing in 2008 as I’ve outlined above. Some of the additional things we will be working on are:

 1.   The Department of Public Works will begin making and installing new road signs throughout the borough and they will also be repaving many borough streets.

 2.   We will continue our efforts in trying to obtain a train station in the borough.

 3.   After the police move into their new building we will renovate and redistribute the vacated area they leave behind here at borough hall as we continue to re-structure.

4.   The council will form two committees to work on targeted assignments which will include the reviewing and updating of ordinances and revising those that are in conflict with others. They will also review the bicycle/pedestrian report that was done for us by the RBA Group, and paid for by the state, and make recommendations from their review to the full governing body.

 5.   We will install a technology wiring system in borough hall with data and communication drops throughout the building replacing the phone system at the same time.

 6.   We will begin the relining of the sanitary sewer lines east of the Bound Brook Pumping Station on Rt. 28.

 7.   We will adopt Phase II of our Lincoln Boulevard Rehabilitation/Redevelopment Plans which cover the area from Mountain Avenue east to where Lincoln Boulevards ends.

 As we enter 2008, the 95^th anniversary of Middlesex Borough, we are a strong community that is moving forward in many areas and we have an extremely bright future. This is due to the efforts of many people.  It is due to our employees, our volunteers throughout the borough in all capacities, our elected officials and all of our residents.

 Another reason we are moving forward is because of how aggressive and successful we have been in obtaining grants over the last two years.  I’ve been told that during the twenty five year period, 1981 to 2005, before I became mayor, Middlesex averaged about $800,000 in grants per year.  Well, during the first two years of my administration, Middlesex has been the beneficiary of almost 4 million dollars in grants and we are starting off 2008 with $305,000 as we gather here today.  These successes are the results of the efforts of many people. It is a team effort.  It is due to the professionals we appoint, like our engineers and our auditor who help compile information and fill out grant applications.  It is due to organizations such as the Middlesex County Improvement Authority who I talked about earlier, and also due to the constant support of our elected representatives, like the County Freeholders and our state representatives in Trenton.  It is due to our volunteers, such as the Fire Department which has been very successful receiving grants for their needs.  It is due to our employees who help identify grants in their areas and work hard to gather information for and the filling out of applications.  And it is due to the efforts and consistent direction of the governing body in setting a tone of what we need to do to be successful at it. I’d like to thank Councilman Sean Kaplan, the Traffic Safety Committee, Jerry Schaefer, Kathy Anello, Andrea Corcoran, Dina Fornataro and our Municipal Engineer for participating in obtaining the $305,000 that we’re starting off 2008 with.  I’d also like to thank the Middlesex Boy Scouts who participated in a Traffic Safety Survey which helped identify Grandview Avenue as a heavily traveled street by school aged children and helped secure the county grant for $80,000 for new sidewalks there.

 2008 will be an active and exciting year for Middlesex and with all of us working together as we did on this last county grant we can accomplish a lot over the next 12 months.

 Thank You