THE MAYOR’S CORNER

I would like to congratulate Councilman Dave Alexander on his re-election and return to council. I would also like to welcome and congratulate our newest council member, Barbara Kane who begins her first term serving the residents of our community. I am looking forward to Councilwoman Kane’s ideas, enthusiasm and expertise as we work together making Somerdale the best it can be!

As I reflect on 2022, I must acknowledge the work and commitment of our first responders who continue to put the public before themselves and their families. They work tirelessly, many on constant call whenever their services are needed. We are truly blessed to have an incredible group of volunteer firefighters, EMS professionals and police officers.

Behind the scenes are a host of individuals that keep our borough running smoothly. Our administrative staff, consisting of the clerk’s office, tax office, construction office, finance office, courts, code enforcement, OEM and fire marshal’s offices are here to serve each of you and they are second to none! I would also like to acknowledge the incredible staff in our public works department. They are truly our unsung heroes as they brave all manner of weather to collect trash and recycling, keep the sewer system flowing and maintain each and every borough owned property. Our streets remain the best plowed and treated in the area when snowfall arrives and special requests or emergencies are addressed promptly and efficiently.

To all of my borough staff and council members, I wish to thank each of you for your commitment and dedication. Without your support, my job would be impossible and our town would not be the great place it is to live, work and play!

In 2022, for the 11th year in a row, Somerdale’s “Net Property Values” experienced an increase. Our net valuation rose nearly ¾ of a million dollars as a direct result of our continued economic development. To put this in perspective our net valuation has risen over $22 million dollars since our last borough revaluation in 2014. In addition to our value increasing, we once again were excited to announce another overall tax levy DECREASE. This was the second decrease in the past three years! My sincere thanks to the Sterling Board of Education and Administration as well as the County as there tax levy decreases were the primary contributing factor to our overall levy decrease.

The following accomplishments were realized in 2022:

• Completion of the Evergreen Avenue reconstruction project

• Construction of a new amphitheater at the Kennedy Boulevard Recreation Center

• Nine new educational, historical and business spotlight videos were completed and added to our YouTube channel

• We obtained several federal, state and county grants to assist us in local improvement cost. Theses grants included a $25,000 county recreation grant for the construction of Pickle Ball Courts (slated for 2023), a $50,000 county historical grant for the purchase of an existing site for our historical society, a total of almost $625,000 in state grants for numerous road projects to include Chestnut Avenue, Grace Street, and Parkview Avenue (all to be bid in 2023). We also received $103,000 from the federal government to address sidewalk issues at the borough and Kennedy Boulevard Recreation area.

• We launched our new website in 2022 and will continue to provide enhancements to our social media platforms

• We completed a new Service guide which mailed the first week in January along with a new calendar

• We installed our first historical media post at the Mapes Cemetery Memorial

For 2023, my goals and objectives are as follows:

• Continue our educational/historical and informational videos as well as expand the installation of our historical location media posts throughout the community

• Continue our street improvements and sewer infrastructure efforts

• Expand our hugely successful Summer Concert Series and hold our first ever “SOMERSTOCK” music, food and beverage festival

• Continue to strengthen our financial position despite the economic challenges our country currently faces

• Execute a “Debt Reduction” program that will focus on significantly reducing our outstanding capital debt while developing new revenue sources to fund additional infrastructure investment

In closing, I would like to recognize all of the departments, the administration, council, my borough clerk, our boards and committee members and the many volunteers for their efforts throughout the past year. Somerdale is truly blessed with some of the finest professionals and staff who work tirelessly behind the scenes for the benefit of you, our residents. I am proud to represent them and you each and every day!

As always, I would like to thank my wife Jeanne and my sons, Steven and Tyler, for their continued support and understanding as I spend countless hours serving our community. I wish you all a very Happy New Year and look forward to a banner 2023!

God bless you, our community and God Bless America.