Happy New Year! I had an exciting first year as your councilman. Here’s a few things Mayor and Council did in 2018.

First and foremost, Mayor and Council passed the 2018 budget with no municipal tax increase. We did this without cutting services or depleting the surplus. This was the result of several years of hard work from everyone involved, including current and former members of council. Special recognition for this goes to our Chief Financial Officer Steve Considine, Councilman Kevin Austin, and as always our Clerk Administrator Judy O’Donnell.

Council also passed an ordinance declaring the former Sony site an area in need of redevelopment. This was the culmination of a series of meetings between the current owners, the Mayor, and representatives from our various borough offices. It’s the first step in a process that allows Pitman to work with the owners to craft a redevelopment plan. The plan, along with recent legislation giving tax breaks to companies that film movies and television shows in New Jersey (which is how the current owners partially make use of the space), will be geared toward encouraging a more productive use of the property.

Mayor and Council also entered in to a lease agreement for the old bank building on Broadway, and it’s in the process of being transformed into Merryman’s Pub! Work is ongoing and they plan to open in less than a year. Because the site is leased from the borough, Merryman’s can make use of a state concessionaire’s permit to sell alcohol. I can’t wait until they open and I’m confident Merryman’s will be a great addition to our already flourishing Uptown!
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This year there was a big change in the Construction Office. Our long time Construction Official, John Holroyd, retired this year after a long career with the borough. John was unique in New Jersey as he held many licenses, doing the work of several people. After a series of interviews with many qualified candidates, Clerk Administrator O’Donnell and I found a great group of professionals to take up the reins and continue that important work.
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This is an exciting time for Pitman, and I’m proud of the work we have done. As always, if you have any questions or concerns, or if I can help you in any way, you can message me here or send me an email at matthew.weng@pitman.org.

Thank you for all your support and suggestions, and I look forward to an even better 2019!

Thursday, January 3, 2019
Recreation Committee
Location: Borough Hall, 110 South Broadway
Time: 6:30 p.m.
(1st Thursday of the Month)
 
​Thursday, January 3, 2019
Environmental Commission
Location: Borough Hall, 110 South Broadway [Conference Room]
Time: 7:30 p.m.
(1st Thursday of the Month)
 
Saturday, January 5, 2019
Reorganization of Mayor & Council
Location: Borough Hall, 110 South Broadway
Time: 5:00 p.m.
 
Tuesday, January 8, 2019*
Memorabilia Committee
Location: Pitman Historical Museum, 71 Circle Avenue
Time: 7:00 p.m.
(1st Tuesday of the Month *Pushed back a week due to the holiday)
 
Thursday, January 10, 2019
Historic Commission Meeting
Location: Borough Hall, 110 South Broadway
Time: 7:00 p.m.
(2nd Thursday of the Month)
 
Monday, January 14, 2019
Pitman Borough Council Meeting
Location: Borough Hall, 110 South Broadway
Work Session: 7:00 p.m.  [Conference Room]
General Session: 8 p.m.
(2nd & 4th Mondays of the Month)
 
Tuesday, January 15, 2019
Board of Fire Engineers
Location: Borough Hall, 110 South Broadway [Conference Room]
Time: 6:30 p.m.
(3rd Tuesday of the Month)
 
Tuesday, January 15, 2019
Greater Pitman Chamber of Commerce
Location: Pitman Gallery & Art Center, 59 S. Broadway
Time: 7:00 p.m.
(3rd Tuesday of the Month)
 
Thursday, January 17, 2019
Senior Outreach Committee
Location: Borough Hall, 110 South Broadway [Conference Room]
Time: 6:00 p.m.
(3rd Thursday of the Month)
 
Thursday, January 17, 2019
Economic Development Committee
Location: Borough Hall, 110 South Broadway [Conference Room]
Time: 7:00 p.m.
(3rd Thursday of the Month)
 
Monday, January 21, 2019
Planning Board
Location: Borough Hall, 110 South Broadway
Time: 7:00 p.m.
(3rd Monday of the Month)
 
Tuesday, January 22, 2019
McCowan Memorial Library Board of Trustees
Location: McCowan Memorial Library
Time: 7:00 p.m.
(4th Tuesday of the Month)

Thursday, January 24, 2019
Green Team
Location: Borough Hall, 110 South Broadway [Conference Room]
Time: 7:00 p.m.
(4th Tuesday of the Month)
 
Tuesday, January 28, 2019
Pitman Borough Council Meeting
Location: Borough Hall, 110 South Broadway
Work Session: 7:00 p.m.  [Conference Room]
General Session: 8 p.m.
(2nd & 4th Mondays of the Month)