SUMMIT, NJ - The reorganization meeting of the Summit Common Council was supposed to return to its traditional format -- including a pre-meeting reception for citizens, government officials, and visiting dignitaries -- but “what Man proposes, COVID disposes.”

The surging omicron variant put the kibosh on the get-together and moved the swearing-in of newly elected and reelected council members to the City Hall courtyard. City Clerk Rosemary Licatese oversaw the proceedings in clear, 30-degree weather.

Mayor Nora Radest swore in newly elected Ward One Council Member Andy Minegar. She also administered the oath of office to Council Member at-Large Beth Little, serving a third term, and Ward Two Council Member Greg Vartan, serving a second term.

SIGNUPSCRIPT

New Jersey Assemblywoman Nancy Munoz swore in Lisa Allen who assumed her first full term as Ward Two Council Member.

The assembly moved inside to the Council chambers to begin its reorganization meeting; Little joining via Zoom. Licatese called the meeting to order. The invocation was delivered by the Reverend Dr. Denison Harrield Jr. of Wallace Chapel AME Zion Church. He called down God’s blessing on the elected officials that they “work together for the common good of everyone.” He also prayed that “the diversity of Summit is accepted, welcomed, and celebrated as a strength that will grow and blossom. Since we are all of one blood, help us to respect one another and ourselves … in a spirit of kindness, love, justice, compassion, and peace….”

Licatese then called for nominations for the position of 2022 Council president. Vartan nominated current President Marjorie Fox; he was seconded by Ward One Council Member Susan Hairston. Fox was elected unanimously. Taking the gavel and calling for nominations for president pro tem, to preside when she is unable to, Fox nominated Vartan. She was seconded by Hairston. Vartan also was elected unanimously.**BULLSEYE

The centerpiece of the meeting was Radest’s 'State of the city speech' highlighting accomplishments of the year just ended. “Council and I worked hard together in 2021, and I expect nothing less in 2022,” she said. “Despite the divisiveness in our nation at large, members of council and I strive to find common ground and consensus on the issues facing our community. Although from time to time we do not reach unanimity, there is great respect for various points of view among your elected officials. Our role is to listen to the community, balancing the needs and concerns of residents and business owners with any governmental legal requirements. After careful deliberation, council and I make decisions that we believe are supported by and in the best interest of the community.”

Addressing the ongoing pandemic, she revealed that Summit’s monthly positive case numbers ranged from a high of 263 in January 2021 to a low of 16 in June, while positive cases in December exceeded 500 cases [On January 7, Summit announced there were 1,079 confirmed cases in the month of December]. Radest continued to urge residents to follow CDC recommendations on masking, vaccinations, and testing.

Among the accomplishments she called out were the return of full-day, in-person classes in Summit public schools in September and the community Thanksgiving Day dinner held at the Community Center, serving close to 300 meals for those in need, people alone for the holiday and all first responders working that day. She also noted the use of the Community Center as a vaccination site. Since February 2021, close to 50,000 residents and nonresidents have received COVID-19 shots there.**STANDARD

The previous year generated record revenue, membership, and attendance numbers for the Summit Family Aquatic Center and the Municipal Golf Course. The Aquatic Center had 1,843 members with just over 48,000 coming through the gate this past summer, while the golf course had 1,550 members, with nearly 16,000 rounds of golf played. And the Department of Community Programs, which Radest called “the heart of our community,” resurfaced the Tatlock Stadium track this past summer “to the delight of the many residents that walk and run daily on the track, along with the Summit High School track program,” which will now be able to host larger events and competitions.

Also mentioned was the City’s expanded outdoor dining, implemented as a response to the pandemic. “Twenty-five restaurants participated in sidewalk cafés which, due to an ordinance passed by council in late 2020, now allows for the operation of sidewalk cafés all year long. Also, 15 restaurants took part in additional outdoor dining options….” She added that in response to many requests, Council will be weighing the idea of permanently closing Maple Street, although she promised that “we will do our due diligence gathering feedback and information before any decision is made.” Merchants have indicated that diners also stroll around town and take advantage of shopping options. Recently the New Jersey chapter of the American Planning Association designated downtown Summit as one of the Great Places in New Jersey. The citation said “Downtown Summit has returned residents and visitors to the days when downtowns were the hub of the community. And the beauty, walkability, vitality, events, and mix of businesses are the reason Downtown Summit is worthy of a Great Places in New Jersey award.”

Meanwhile, the Economic Development Advisory Committee is focusing on the Ashwood and Park Avenues area and in 2022 will focus on improving the marketing of the businesses in that neighborhood.**BULLSEYE

In addition to marking the 2021 retirement of Police Chief Andrew Bartolotti after 22 years of service and the promotion of Captain Steven Zagorski to Acting Chief, Radest said the department has been actively pursuing accreditation through the State Police Association. “Accreditation is a lengthy process and will be a significant professional achievement that enables the department to calculate and improve its overall performance. We expect to receive notification of accreditation early in 2022.” The police department received the 2021 AAA Community Traffic Safety Awards Program gold award for actions taken to create safer traffic environments for all roadway users in the Summit area.

Turning to the Fire Department, Radest said the new fire headquarters is expected to be complete in late spring 2023. After that, the old fire station will be taken down, with the demolition used as a training exercise for firefighters. That parcel of land will be sold as part of the Broad Street West redevelopment process, “allowing additional flexibility in negotiations with developers, and significantly defraying the essential costs.” While the new firehouse will boast numerous amenities including decontamination areas and training features, the city hopes to add more. “Like we did when building the new Community Center, there are some features not included in the budget that will be secured through a fundraising campaign with residents and businesses. These items include a physical fitness and wellness room, ready room furniture for the firefighters living room area, training props, and a dual-purpose fire prevention/education and historical room. The total estimate of this private fundraising initiative is approximately $400,000.”

Meanwhile, the Springfield Fire Department joined the Automatic Aid Agreement with the Summit and Millburn fire departments, providing an extra engine company and resources to respond to any report of smoke or fire within the three municipalities. In addition, Springfield’s fire department and EMS squad joined the Mountain Valley Dispatch Center that also provides emergency communications service for Millburn, New Providence, and Summit.

Radest gave some perspective into how the pandemic has affected the Summit Volunteer First Aid Squad. “In the entire year of 2019, the squad responded to 1,957 calls, provided coverage to 35 standbys and to 101 mutual aid calls to other towns. During 2020, the Squad responded to 1,706 calls and provided coverage for 16 standbys and 80 mutual aid calls to other towns. The drop in the number of calls during 2020 was almost certainly due to COVID as hospitals saw a steep decline in visits after the initial surge. Many people were afraid to access treatment at a hospital. That changed in 2021 … From January 1 to December 28, 2021, the Summit Volunteer First Aid Squad covered 2,189 calls and provided coverage for 28 standbys and 163 mutual aid calls to other towns.”

Moving to Summit’s financial condition, Radest called it “very strong.” She attributed that in part to the city securing $854,000 in CARES Act funds from Union County in 2020-21 to assist with unforeseen city-wide pandemic expenses. In 2021 the City received its first tranche of American Rescue Plan funds in the amount of $1.14 million, with the second tranche expected this year; these funds will be used as a revenue source in the operating budget. The city is awaiting confirmation of $117,000 in reimbursements from FEMA for additional pandemic expenses.

The 2021 Summit municipal budget was $64.26 million, down 0.41% from 2020. “Council has begun to work on the 2022 budget with the express intention of keeping any potential increase at a minimum. We face many pressures on our budget, not least of which are increasing demands for capital projects. All of us want the City to be in the best possible condition, but we must maintain a long-term vision for the health of the City’s infrastructure and prioritize capital projects.” She also pointed out that in 2020 Summit received no recommendations in its annual audit, “truly a strong indication of a very well-run city.”

Summit’s strong residential ratable base has shown positive incremental growth in recent years; the tax base increased by $28 million in 2021 and is expected to increase in 2022 by approximately $37 million. But she said that’s not enough to avoid tax increases while delivering the services residents have come to expect. “Increased ratables, both residential and commercial, are a crucial component in a healthy city budget. Our largest commercial owner, Bristol Myers Squibb, is renovating facilities on its west campus. When completed hopefully later this year, the project will improve the campus and increase the commercial valuation of the property.”

The Broad Street West Redevelopment project was also addressed. The City’s agreement with its planning professionals, the steering committee, City staff, and the redevelopers – a consortium of L&M and Toll Brothers – is under way. “Progress was slower than we would have liked because of prolonged financial negotiations with the redeveloper. Council members and I were determined to get the best deal possible for the taxpayers of Summit. … I am confident that we will have a signed redevelopment agreement in the middle of 2022.”

Phase 1 will be located where the existing firehouse stands and will include up to 140 rental units; approximately 21 will be affordable housing, seven at workforce-level pricing and the rest at market rate. Council plans to have a public meeting in the early part of this year with more information.

“I know that progress seems slow; however, this is a very complicated project, and we want to be sure to get it right. … We are fortunate to be positioned to take advantage of this opportunity for redevelopment of an underutilized part of our downtown, at no cost to taxpayers – and with the future benefit of an increased tax base. This crucial project will provide value not just for current residents, but for future generations in Summit. The pandemic has been a blow to our normal rhythms of life. But if anything, it should reinforce the importance to our quality of life in protecting and improving our downtown. We love our movie nights, and concerts on the Village Green, and the Farmers Market, and shopping and dining downtown. Adding another pedestrian-friendly area to our current downtown allows us to increase opportunities for more experiences like these, increasing our desirability as a community and adding to our residents’ well-being.”

The mayor is in close contact with Union County Commissioners and the Governor’s Office “to ensure they understand the needs of our municipality and provide as much assistance as possible. In 2021, the County Commissioners delivered a budget that was flat for the second year in a row. This demonstrated their understanding of the impact of the pandemic on municipalities.” Summit received $528,000 in grants from Union County and the State.

Summit’s Communications Office has been delivering weekly and monthly updates on COVID-19 cases locally from the Westfield Regional Health Department and other essential information. Using website postings and notifications, social media channels, and media outreach, it distributed more than 2500 general and emergency communications to members of the public and the media in 2021. At the NJ League of Municipalities Conference in November, Summit was asked to participate on an expert panel discussing effective communications during the COVID-19 crisis. “Our content was lauded as some of the best in the state and I wholeheartedly agree.” Radest asked residents to visit the City website and sign up to receive email or text notifications, and to like and follow the City of Summit on social media.

“I look forward to continuing office hours at City Hall, Meet the Mayor events on weekends, and meetings by appointment. I appreciate you taking the time to share your ideas and concerns with me…. As a city, our strength lies in our ability to define our priorities and work together to make them a reality. To do that, we need to be informed citizens, and we need to be able to share our ideas, experiences, and skills, including as volunteers on the city’s commissions and committees.

Shifting gears, Radest noted that the number of people parking in town is gradually increasing. The Deforest lot gates were removed rather than replaced, saving the town $750,000. She admitted that “The gates were never a favorite of most residents, but they did enforce payment. We now are relying upon an honor code, as well as parking enforcers.”

The Department of Community Services continued to maintain the City’s infrastructure, including sidewalk installation, paving and micropaving, and storm and sanitary sewer inspections and maintenance. Traffic and pedestrian safety measures were implemented throughout the city. DCS also completed the design and accepted bids for the “long overdue” municipal golf course dam project. Thanks to the strong business activity in DCS and the construction office, total revenues increased approximately 94% compared to November 2020.

In October 2016, Summit executed an agreement with the Fair Share Housing Center to settle litigation between the two parties and to establish a “fair share” of the regional need for low- and moderate-income housing. The city began implementing zoning ordinances to support the plan. Progress continued in 2021 with affordable housing initiatives including several additional 30-year affordable deed restrictions at locations throughout the city. More than $1.4 million was spent from the City’s affordable housing trust fund for Morris Habitat’s all-affordable 12-unit housing project at 146 Morris Avenue. Summit’s affordable housing webpage was overhauled to make it more user-friendly, and council appointed Marc Leckington of Leckington Advisors, LLC, to oversee the affordable housing process.

Turning to the environment, Radest called the new Summit Free Market building “a resounding success.” In fact, Summit received an award in 2021 from the State of New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection for excellence in a student-run environmental initiative. Free Market days will continue throughout 2022 on the second Saturday of each month and via the Virtual Summit Free Market group on Facebook.

The Environmental Commission has embarked on a “Tiny Forest” project in the area behind the Community Center, with a plan to reforest the section of land with native plants and trees, “establishing a healthy albeit small ecosystem for vegetation and animals.” New Jersey American Water donated $10,000 to the project. Summit has also been negotiating with New Jersey Transit to build a new bike shelter at the train station. With a $40,000 gift from the Summit Conservancy, the project will now be completed this year.

Radest also took a moment to thank the City’s many volunteers and the paid professionals working for the city. “We live in a world where trust is in short supply, but I do not find that to be the case in Summit. We receive thousands of requests for assistance and/or improvements from residents and business owners and our dedicated city staff responds with professionalism and integrity. These requests come to us because people believe that we will help them. And they trust us because sworn and civilian municipal employees work hard and take pride in their jobs and in our city. … I am proud to be your mayor and look forward to the year ahead.

To read the full text of the Mayor's speech, visit tapinto.net/towns/summit/categories/news/articles/mayor-radest-delivers-2022-state-of-the-city-address.

The reorganization meeting also had several ceremonial elements. Fox presented former Ward One Council Member David Naidu with a framed map of Summit. Ordinarily outgoing Council Members receive a chair with the City’s beacon sea;, but “David rarely has been constrained by custom,” said Fox. She recalled meeting Naidu for the first time when they both served on the Environmental Commission in 2005. Remarking on his “laser focus on what’s important to Summit residents,” she noted projects he shepherded, including 'Council-on-the-road' meetings, the master plan reexamination, the start of the Broad Street West redevelopment process, and the Park Line. Calling him her “go-to guy” on the Administrative Procedures Committee,” Fox said she “looked forward to working with you in a different capacity” going forward.

Receiving a standing ovation, Naidu attributed his successes to collaboration. “It’s never one person, one idea, but rather to reach a consensus among us.” He thanked his wife, Andrea, and his sons. “Nothing I have accomplished was possible … without their love and support.” He also thanked the community for giving him the opportunity to serve, saying that residents have opened their hearts, ideas, and houses to him. The visibly moved Naidu revealed, “I came to this country at the age of seven from India. I could not, I assure you, ever imagine that I would be standing here saying these words to you.” He closed by congratulating the newly sworn in Council members. “It is a tough time to serve in government, whether it is on this level, the county level, the state level, or the federal government level. This is not only the challenges of the pandemic, but now we have entered a society where it is very difficult for people to govern. But through compromise and the ability to listen and through the ability to work with each other in good faith … we as Summit will continue to be the great town we are.”

A number of dignitaries were in attendance from some or all of the meeting, including Munoz, Union County Commissioner Sergio Granados, Democratic City Committee Chair Andrea Stein, Republican City Committee Chair Steven Spurr, and Summit Board of Health President John Staunton, as well as City Administrator Michael Rogers and various City department heads.

Recognition was paid to the City’s outgoing volunteers. Fox named those stepping off of various committees and commissions: Jeff Schaffer and Jonathan Betz; Economic Development Advisory Committee; Richard Wallach, Lackawanna Coalition; James Cadranell, Parking Advisory Committee; Alexandria Ketcheson and Markus Gokan, Recycling Advisory Committee; Stephen Pardee, Parking Advisory Committee; Adam Zucker, Christopher Harrison, Jack Hellings, Trish Cassin, and Robert Friedrich, the now disbanded Transfer Station Task Force; Katheryn Schwartzstein, Zoning Board; and Matthew Kirson, Transportation Advisory Committee. Radest named those leaving mayoral appointments: Catie Totman, Ray Merritt, and Taylor Kendra, Arts Committee; Joshua Weinrich and Peggy Wong, Board of Education; Andrew B. Smith, Community Programs Advisory Board; Melissa Spurr, Environmental Commission; Norma Schroeder, Library Board of Trustees; Bill Kein, David Livitt, Richard Michel, and Terry Armstrong, Police Athletic League; Robert Ashmun, Planning Board; Mitchell Horn and Walter Gonzalez, Rent Commission; and David Szelingowski and Justin Joffee, Technology Advisory Committee.

Fox and Radest also saluted the city’s incoming volunteers without reading the roster of names. Links to the full list of council and mayoral appointees can be found online at Boards & Commissions | Summit, NJ (cityofsummit.org). Volunteer applications are still being accepted.

As Fox was moving to the vote to approve the consent agenda, Harrield stood and asked to say a few words. He reminded Radest that she’d surprised him with the City’s Volunteer of the Year in March 2021, regretting that she couldn’t present him with his certificate in person – meetings were only virtual due to the pandemic then – and promising to recognize him at the first meeting he was able to attend. “So this is the first one. So please recognize me,” he prompted, to the applause and laughter of the audience. Radest answered by calling him “the heart, the voice, the soul of our community,” with Fox thanking him for the reminder and adding “the conscience of the community” to Radest’s litany.

With no other members of the public wishing to comment, Fox adjourned the meeting. The Council takes up regular business at its January 18 meeting.