May Monthly Message From Mayor Michael Choi
NOTE: The message below was delivered by the Mayor at the public Township Committee Meeting on Tuesday, May 20, 2025.
In tonight’s agenda, we are making investments in mission critical infrastructure and services, namely sewage utility and public safety. We are recognizing and celebrating our volunteer public safety personnel. And we are doing the little, behind-the-scenes things that make delivering municipal services seamless and professional.
On The Matter of Infrastructure Investments:
This evening, we are taking action to prepare investments in our vital infrastructure through multiple capital ordinances. We are committing $570,000 to our sewer utility to ensure ongoing services and make preparations for significant, much needed investments in the plant in years to come. We are also preparing for a $1.8 Million bond to invest in equipment for our fire and police departments and in our municipal assets utilized by our Public Works. With the procurement of $60,000 state grant, we’re enhancing our recreational spaces, specifically Nash Field, to continue to provide safe and modernized places for our residents to enjoy.
On The Matter of Public Safety:
I previously mentioned our police department’s organizational changes to optimize personnel in order to continue delivering a high level of service. This evening, I also want to recognize and elevate our volunteers in our Green Village and Chatham Township fire departments and our Chatham Emergency Squad for the Length of Service Award Program “LOSAP” (which is a NJ benefit program that makes financial contributions to eligible volunteer emergency service personnel). It is Emergency Medical Services (EMS) week and I want to take an additional moment to specifically thank the members of our Chatham Emergency Squad for all that they do – providing round the clock service and delivering the highest level of care and professionalism to members of our community. We are also introducing an ordinance to comply with NJ law and ensure operational readiness in the event of a large scale crisis or emergency. Our Local Emergency Management Committee (LEMC) will draw from a rich and diverse set of skills and knowledge to provide clarity and action for our community members, should the need ever arise. Our Police, Fire, Emergency Services, Government, Schools, Houses of Workshop, and Residents at large are all represented.
On The Matter of The Affordable Housing Decision:
I have shared in prior meetings that the fourth round of affordable housing is underway. Late last year, the State prescribed a process for establishing housing obligations for the Township as well as key deadlines and filings which must be submitted along the way. The Township presented a straightforward, cogent filing for a reduction in the housing obligation numbers. The NJBA (New Jersey Builders Association), however, took action to challenge the Township’s filing, along with more than 150 other municipalities’ filings. I will say that the easy choice for the Committee was to have summarily accepted the State’s preliminary numbers. But the decision by this Committee was to scrutinize and lower the obligation to more accurately reflect the development reality and restraints of the Township – and to do so fully abiding by the State’s rules for making such a challenge. A week ago, the NJ Superior Court ruled in favor of the Township. This is most welcome news. It is a testament to diligence, conviction in our work and advocating for our community.
I humbly thank our professionals Kendra Lelie (our affordable housing planner) and Jessica Almeida (our affordable housing attorney) for delivering a compelling argument before the judge. And I thank the members of this Committee, Ziad Shehady (our Administrator), Joe Basralian, and Tiena Cofoni (our Township attorney) for doing the work – crunching numbers, critically thinking through the risks and rewards, and reviewing a multitude of documents to take informed action that, I believe, is embraced by our constituents and was ultimately validated in a court of law.
