Message from Councilmember Ellen Zimmerman | December 16, 2022

As we count our blessings this holiday season, my council colleagues and I want to take this time to thank our many volunteers who serve on our boards, commissions, and committees each year.

Without the ongoing support from community volunteers, there is no way our township administration could address the pressing needs and many projects of such a progressive community.

At this time of year, we are planning our municipal operations for 2023, as we hold our reorganization meeting at the beginning every January. At this meeting, the Mayor and Council make re-appointments and fill vacancies on our boards, commissions, and committees.

Examples of our board and commission appointments include planning and zoning boards, environmental commission, library board, and recreation commission. All of these rely on a steady stream of volunteers each year to successfully operate.

What we ask for each year is not easy. We are continually seeking residents – no matter political party affiliation or voter status – to spend countless hours each year serving the public. Our land use boards, for example, comprise community members who volunteer their time to pour over development plans, develop probing questions and ultimately decide if major and minor construction proposals meet state statute to earn approval.

No doubt, to undertake such a painstaking review on behalf of the people of Scotch Plains is a Herculean task, yet our community is blessed with volunteers who serve on these boards year after year, with unbelievable knowledge of construction codes, impervious coverage and other details that have to be considered as part of any detailed land use application.

Scotch Plains has committees that touch upon areas which draw strong interest from dozens of residents. Here’s just a sampling: historical preservation, wellness, accessibility, senior citizens, sustainability, veterans, shared services with neighboring municipalities and redevelopment of the many individual initiatives underway.

Many of these committees include a member of the Township Council who serve as liaisons by updating the governing body during public meetings about committee activity. These reports show the enormous progress and input our volunteers make to continually push Scotch Plains forward.

While Scotch Plains is so fortunate to have such a strong team of civic-minded leaders, we are always eager for more residents to get involved. For example, I know that there are some vacancies on the Environmental Commission for the coming year. This could be your perfect opportunity to get involved, with a mayoral appointment for 2023.

If you are interested in volunteering in any area of township government or just to help out with one event, please contact me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. There is a steady stream of opportunities that occur each year. And, as we launch an aggressive plan of action for 2023, I know there will be many, many more.

In addition to the many volunteers on our boards, commissions, and committees, I would like to thank many other community members who donate their valuable time such as emergency responders, youth coaches, event planners, senior and recreation workers, and many others in vital roles.

Volunteers are a key reason why Scotch Plains is such a wonderful community in which to live, work and raise a family. Allow me to be joined by my council colleagues, as well as Mayor Josh Losardo, in extending a deeply appreciative Thank You as we prepare for the coming year.