July Monthly Message from Mayor Stacey Ewald

I want to congratulate our Chatham Township Police Department on receiving their 3rd reaccreditation from the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police. I look forward to the meeting when Association members will attend and we can officially recognize this wonderful accomplishment.  I’d like to also congratulation three officers who were recognized.  Detective Mike Bloom for his investigation of a Financial Crime; Officer Sean Lampf for his actions and investigation of a motor vehicle accident involving a cyclist; Officer Colm Dougherty for his actions during an encounter with a male experiencing a mental health crisis.  Well done. Thank you for all you do for our Township residents.

With one meeting scheduled for July, this evening’s meeting will run a little different than usual.  We’ll start with a workshop session where we discuss upcoming resolutions and ordinances so the Committee can provide input and direction to the Township staff.  Then we’ll move into our traditional meeting where we will vote on a series of matters, including a resolution to authorize bidding for the Colony Pool wall replacement. 

As discussed in prior meetings, the Colony Pool side walls are crumbling and in need of replacement.  The Committee requested the Township Engineer develop plans.  A draft plan was circulated to the Committee last week, with updated plans provided today.  Those plans will be discussed tonight so that we can move forward with the bid process and toward having the work completed in the fall.  No decisions have been made at this time.  This is a discussion to find the right answer for our community and our Colony members.  I look forward to having an open discussion with the Committee this evening to determine the best path forward.

Also on the agenda is a resolution establishing an Affordable Housing Advisory Committee.  With our 4th round affordable housing coming up in 2025, the State legislative changes, and tight implementation timelines, it’ll be critical for this team to ensure we’re doing all that we can behind the scenes to manage and plan for our 4th round affordable housing obligation.

Before we move into the Township business of the evening, I’d like to take a moment to address Sunday’s attack on former President Trump.  It’s disheartening to know that the vitriol on both sides of the political aisle has come to this.  I look to our Township residents to lead with peace.  We can disagree, we can debate, and we can be a passionate advocate for our causes.  In the end, we take our differences to the ballot box. Voting, not violence. Violence is never the answer and has no place in our civilized democracy. My thoughts and prayers for speedy healing are with President Trump.