The New Year has started and West Amwell Township is turning another page in its quiet and enduring history.  I was honored to be selected as Mayor this year and I plan to continually strive to make the Township the best place to live in the State of New Jersey.

The Committee will continue to seek ways to control expenses and explore additional revenues during these difficult economic times.  Recently the financing was secured for the solar installations that we planned for the Township property and the West Amwell School.  The completion of this project should lower the electric bills for the Township, West Amwell School and South Hunterdon Regional High School by 50%. The South Hunterdon Region Energy Co-op, comprised of six public entities in Lambertville and West Amwell, will begin cooperative energy purchases that will continue to lower public energy bills within the co-op.

The Committee will continue the energy and building audits for Township installations. We upgraded boilers, air conditioners and lighting in all our buildings at no cost to the Township. We are already experiencing measurable energy savings in the 10 to 20 percent range.  We signed a contract to audit building envelopes via another state funded program. At the end of this Local Government Energy Audit (LGEA) process, we will better understand how to proceed with future building and improvement projects.

Our Tax Assessor, David Gill, will soon complete the re-evaluation of Township real estate.   This process will slow the growing number of tax appeals and more equitable distribute the tax burden.    

The results of the local school regionalization study will be released soon and we look forward to following those recommendations to their reasonable conclusion.

The Township debt burden is approximately $7.2 million. The majority of the debt is for open space. The Committee will be searching for ways to reduce the debt burden and still maintain our present level of services and a viable Open Space Program. The Committee is also actively reducing our real estate holdings. We have more than enough property for future expansions on the site of the Township building.

The Township received a grant from the state for more than $500,000 to improve water quality in the Alexauken Creek Watershed. Our Environmental Commission, chaired by Cathy Urbanski, will be working with our partners at Princeton Hydro and the NJDEP to design and implement improvements to our local environment.

As you see we have much to keep us occupied. We have positions available on various boards and committees.  We are aware of the wealth of knowledge and skill sets available in the Township.  If you are interested in technology, planning, open space or forestry please file a Citizen Leadership Form and let us know how you would like to serve.  The form can be found here on the Township website.  Even if you are unable to serve, I invite you to come and participate in your township government. Most meetings are posted and open to the public.

George A Fisher