FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

  Contact:

Joseph M. DiBella, Mayor

1-732-938-4500

July 10, 2006

  Important Township Updates

Last month I issued some general updates on a variety of township matter that residents had been calling or emailing me about. At that time, I replied to the topics that were most prevalent in the correspondence I had been receiving. Since that time, many more residents have asked that I provide a similar set of updates on a new list of township related matters. Each of these issues is important to the community so I wanted to share these updates with as many residents as possible:

What is the status of the efficiency audit the township chartered last year?

As a continuing part of our efforts to improve services and find efficiencies in our business, the governing body and I authorized an efficiency review of virtually every major department in the township. The township hired a renown firm that specializes in efficiency reviews of government entities and they spent the better part of three months examining major departments like the Engineering Department, the Recreation Department, the Tax Office, and the Department of Public Works, just to name a few. Our township employees and management team did an outstanding job in cooperating with this process and assisted in ensuring that we had the most thorough, in-depth outside evaluation of how we do business and where we can improve. There is not a major corporation in America that does not go through these type reviews and so we believed that we had a similar obligation to go through the same stringent process.

The results were very helpful. Most importantly, we were able to use some of the results when we worked on this year’s municipal budget. The report included several positive recommendations and best practices. It highlighted many of the things the township does well and touted the excellent staff of employees we have that work for the municipality. At the same time it pointed out things we could do differently or better. Such results are not uncommon as even the most successful businesses are never perfect. In our case, we got a comprehensive and independent assessment of our business and a clear set of recommendations for things to focus on as we work to increase efficiency, improve service and reduce the cost of government. The township manager, the Council and I will continue to implement aspects of the plan this year and beyond.

What is the status of the new Soccer and Girl’s Softball Complex

After years of waiting, we’re thrilled that we were able to make the new soccer and girl’s softball complex a reality. In late 2004 the township acquired a large tract of land along Route 547 – land that will now never be developed with more homes. We purchased this property with a plan to both preserve it and also create a new home for the thousands of boys and girls that play soccer in Howell. Today, the thousands of kids play in tiny multiple locations, scattered all over town on inadequate fields that often do not have sufficient parking, safety features and basic amenities. The land we now own on Route 547 will be the home to all the leagues except one; the Pinelanders who are an outstanding organization with nice accommodations in Route 524. The town is nearing the acquisition of adjacent land near the Pinelanders fields so that they too are best positioned for the future. Recently, a decision was made to also house the various Girls Softball leagues at the Route 547 location as well, creating a soccer and softball complex for our children. The various Girls softball groups have been waiting for decades for a single home for our girls to play and they’ll finally have this.

The work has begun and you can see the grading and creation of the fields now. The fields will have adequate bathrooms and other needed features to ensure that the children of Howell can play safely and have a memorable experience that reinforces the great values that comes with participating in team sports. We have a budget and a long range plan for the site and expect to be operational for spring 2007. I’ll continue to share updates as we meet major project milestones.

What is the status of the new Township Master Plan?

The Planning Board concluded its hearings and discussions regarding the new proposed master plan for the township. The public participation and debate was extraordinary and helped shape a plan that was carefully designed with great public input and thoughtful consideration. The proposed plan has been sent to the governing body where we expect to begin to debate and pass the new laws that will encompass the new master plan. The new plan is a detailed blue print designed to slow single-family residential growth, stimulate business development and protect our beautiful natural resources. I encourage all residents to be active participants in the process now that the debate will begin by the governing body. Please check the township web site or channel 77 for updates about when we’ll be discussing the various aspects of the plan.

I hope these updates are useful to you. These matters represent only a very small share of the total projects and initiatives under way in Howell Township. As Monmouth’s largest community with 52,000 residents we are in the midst of a multitude of projects and initiatives, all designed to make Howell a better and more affordable place to live, work and raise a family. If you have any questions about these or any issue regarding the township, please feel free to call or email me anytime at MayorDiBella@twp.howell.nj.us.  I welcome your input, comments and feedback about our community. Thank you.

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