In 2023, we got Chester Township moving.
 
There was no shortage of challenges in 2023. Ever-increasing state mandates and higher costs on nearly everything put us in the most difficult budget environment in more than a decade. Despite the challenge, residents, volunteers, and Town Hall came together to do a lot of good work and put Chester Township in a strong position for the future.   In 2023, we got Chester Township moving.
 
Thank you for your support, input, and constructive critiques on these important milestones for our town.

​Respect for Residents & Business Owners

• Eliminated burdensome restrictions on businesses operating within the Township, a six-year effort of the Planning Board
• Revised the Township's onerous drywell ordinance to provide needed relief to homeowners and options for farmers – a challenge that bedeviled us for years, but was solved through productive conversation
• Extended the expiration date of most design waivers and variances granted by the Zoning Board of Adjustment
• Lifted the stop work order on the Hall Road development
• Installed new software  that allows our inspectors to access and update information in the field and starting later this year, enable residents to access their own permit information online

 
We got Chester moving by Responsible Budgeting

• Decreased discretionary spending by more than $250,000, despite higher increases in state-mandated and contractual spending
• Secured a new, four-year trash collection contract amidst rapidly rising costs, requiring a new payment mechanism
• Expanded our shared service for animal control to include Chester Borough in addition to both Mendhams
• Clarified the property tax exemption for 100% disabled veterans to avoid future confusion on eligibility
• Spent considerably less on costly litigation, year over year

 
We got Chester moving by increasing Public Safety

• Managed significant turnover in our Police Department under the solid leadership of Chief Ryan McNamee
• Expanded traffic control outside Dickerson and Bragg Schools in the mornings and afternoons
• Reorganized the Police Department to have one officer stationed at each of Chester’s three schools
• Upgraded the security cameras at Town Hall and the Police Department
• Brought in the Morris County Sheriff's Labor Assistance Program to clean up Route 206 over four weekends

 
We got Chester moving with Better Parks, Playgrounds, & Programs

• Officially opened the new Black River Fields and dedicated Bill Foelsch Field
• Oversaw the construction and installation of the Chubb Park Pavilion, a project the Volunteer Fire Company initiated six years ago 
• Opened two new playgrounds, with funding secured by our prior Council
• Added ADA-accessible walkways throughout Highlands Ridge Park
• Lined the tennis courts for pickleball, after years of discussion, and managed a rapidly growing program
• Co-hosted a successful and very popular Summer Concert Series with Chester Borough
• Hosted our biggest-ever Trunk or Treat, a new Chester tradition

 
We got Chester moving with Improved Roads & Infrastructure

• Resurfaced 11.5 miles of road throughout Chester Township
• Earned a $208,504 grant to pave half of State Park Road in 2024
• Secured a commitment from JCP&L to proactively manage trees in 2024
• Remodeled major portions of the Telecordia Building as part of a new lease agreement with the Highlands Council

 
We got Chester moving with a More Responsive Government

• Restructured the Zoning Office, including hiring a new Zoning Officer and Deputy Zoning Officer to clear a significant backlog, and also restaffed our Construction Department
• Adopted a refreshed master plan, the first in ten years
• Welcomed a new Councilmember who has contributed significant time, talent, and a fresh perspective
• Finalized and launched a responsible   process for meeting our affordable housing obligation in good faith
• Restored the Township's full complement of voting machines in both polling locations
• Shared a monthly email newsletter as promised – no more, no less

 
We got a lot done in 2023. And building on that foundation, I believe Chester Township is more than ready for the challenges and opportunities ahead in 2024.