Message from Mayor Josh Losardo | January 5, 2024

There is something special about this time of the year. The new year is a rebirth, a time to recharge, set goals and focus on what is most important for ourselves, our families and our community.

I am proud to be submitting my fourth annual “Mayor’s Message,” which our town traditionally includes as part of the Township Council’s first meeting of the year. This is also known as our “Reorganization Meeting,” a time to share key goals toward making Scotch Plains an even better town in the coming year.

At our meeting this week, we adopted the 2024 Meeting Schedule, Rules and Regulations for our meetings, reappointed our town professionals, set Council liaison assignments and appointed fellow residents to our important boards, committees or commissions.  In addition, we reappointed Ellen Zimmerman as Deputy Mayor for another one-year term.  DM, congratulations!

We have much planned for 2024. Our largest project, of course, is the revitalization of downtown Scotch Plains; the planning phases are well underway. We continue work on plans for a new emergency services building on Plainfield Avenue, as well as construction of a new library and town hall. As communication with residents is key, we plan to hold public meetings to share the latest information as major updates develop.

My colleagues and I remain fully engaged improving our parks and recreation programs in town.  The town’s Recreation Commission will continue their tireless work identifying the recreational needs of our town, and the Town Council will support the Commission’s capital requests whenever it is economically feasible.  Yes, our parks have needs, but there are many needs in our town and my colleagues and I recognize we must always spend the peoples’ money wisely and effectively.

In 2024, we hope it is possible to fund, as well as seek County and State grants for, capital expenditures at Haven and Kramer Manor parks.  As my colleague, Councilman Matt Adams, shared recently, the Commission appears focused on the needs of these parks this year. 

Deputy Mayor Zimmerman will continue improving the recreation programs offered to our “active adults,” and hopes many newcomers participate in the town events this year.  The events are a fun way to meet people from our town.  Light exercise is sometimes featured at these events, and that never hurts either.

Councilman Roc White will continue advancing programs and services for Scotch Plains veterans, including serving on our Memorial Day Ceremony and Parade Committee.  Councilman White will also remain as a member of the Planning Board.

Councilwoman Elizabeth Stamler, who has advocated for our environment since she began serving on the Town Council in 2019, will lead our efforts to do even more in ’24!  The FreeCycle Market, where one person’s trash is another person’s treasure, residents may dispose of property and others may collect whatever they wish for free, was a great success and will return this year.  Stamler will also continue serving on the town’s Veterans Advisory Board.

In 2024, I anticipate including the acquisition of new equipment to assist our Police Department investigate crimes as part of the municipal budget.  Although Scotch Plains is a very safe town, we are, of course, not immune to crime.  Last month, DM Zimmerman and I met with our township manager and Chief of Police to make clear that our officers should have the tools available in the marketplace to do their jobs effectively, whenever economically feasible.  Additional information should become available as we introduce and adopt the town budget.  I urge every resident to participate in the process by reviewing the proposed budget when it is introduced, and by participating in our public hearings later this year. 

In 2024, we will add Diwali to the holidays the community celebrates each year on the Village Green. We will also continue highlighting many Scotch Plains businesses, of which we are grateful for. 

I very much look forward to working together in 2024 with the common goal of making our community even better than it is today.

Happy New Year!