Mayor Calls Christie's Inauguration Speech 'Inspiring'

Scotch Plains Mayor Nancy Malool was among those in attendance at Gov. Chris Christie's inauguration on Tuesday.

Reflecting on the experience during the council meeting Tuesday night, Malool said she found the newly elected Republican's words inspiring and encouraging for what's ahead for the state.

"I feel really good coming out of there," she said. "Gov. Christie was very forthright. He said that whether you voted for him or not, are Republican or Democrat, rich or poor, regardless of color or heritage, that he'd work for all of us to get the state back on track."

Malool was quick to note that she thinks the state's woes will probably get worse before they get better, but she said she believes that Christie will pull New Jersey out of it.

"He's looking to work on municipal budgets, which could translate to cutting state aid even more, but he's also looking to cut state budgets, which I find promising," she said. "I had a lot of faith coming out of there."

In regard to those issues, Christie said in his inauguration message that it's inevitable that he'll have to cut some programs and transform others to get the budget in balance. "Yes, we will have to curb municipal spending where there has been too little control," he said. "Yes, we will have to restrain state government. But we can do these things—and once again be a home for growth."

"You hear a lot of people say things," Malool said. "But I really believed him."

In other news at the council meeting, Malool noted how strong the "volunteer spirit" was at Scotch Plains-Fanwood's 1st annual MLK Day of Service on Jan. 18.

"I expect next year participation will probably double," she said of the event, which attracted over 500 people on Monday. "It was a wonderful opportunity for people to come together and display what Martin Luther King was trying to achieve."

The council also passed a resolution authorizing the tax collector to cancel a sewer balance of $9.22 for the property at 1530 Terrill Road, which is owned by the State of New Jersey.  The sewer bill was not paid by the due date of Nov. 30, but was received on Dec. 7, and as a result, interest had accrued. When the payment arrived it was first applied to the interest on the account, thus causing a balance of sewer charges payable. But because properties owned by the state are not subject to interest, the council canceled the $9.22 charge.

The council also approved Millburn-based Hatch Mott Macdonald as the township engineer and C-3 sanitary sewer operator for 2010. Councilman Kevin Glover noted that the company has previously served Scotch Plains and "has been extremely professional and responsive to all of our community needs."

Also, Steven Rogut of Rogut McCarthy LCC in Cranford was appointed as the township's municipal bond counsel for 2010; Apruzzese, McDermott, Mastro & Murphy of Liberty Corner was appointed the township's municipal labor counsel for 2010; and Conner Strong Risk Control Services was appointed the township's insurance broker/consultant for 2010.