Mayor Flora's End of Year Message

Hello Fredon Residents,

Another year has passed and it was an active one!  I would like to highlight some of the 2022 Happenings.

Internet Service

Fredon has some glaring needs when it comes to broadband and connectivity, most of the town has very poor service and parts have no service at all!  The Federal Government took our tax dollars and redistributed money as Covid 19 relief, with strict guidelines, sewers, sidewalks, public water and various other infrastructure projects that we do not have here in Fredon.  Our Congressperson, at the time, worked to include broadband in Rural areas.  Fredon took the entire amount allocated and dedicated it to broadband. Planet Networks was awarded the contract and is reinvesting the new customer  revenue to the project!  We expect to have entire township coverage within a year.

2022 Elections

The Township Committee understands property tax and cost of living concerns that is why we put the opportunity to vote in the April election on townwide trash as a public service.  The vote failed.  We are extremely grateful to those that help guide us to a decision, at the end of the day everything remains as it was. In the same election, the school budget was defeated.   Since the return of the budget vote by the residents, both budgets have failed to pass.  The 2021 budget failure resulted in a $300.000. cut.  That year the Surplus was over $560.000.  After cutting the $300.000. The next year the surplus was around $250.000 reflecting the cut of 300.000.  The budget is going in the right direction.  As a result the Township Committee and the School Board agreed not to make further cuts to this years budget.  We are in the most uncertain financial times since the Carter administration in the late 70's so we agreed it best to support the budget as is. this year however it is most important to remember Fredon residents had real input into how our taxes are spent. The township committee election was a real local race with incumbent Carl Lazzaro retaining his seat.

Fredon Township School

Fredon Township School has two new School Board Members, a new Board President to go along with a brilliant Administration, Dr. Brian Kitchin and Rianna Ketch.  (superintendent and business admin respectively)  Gone is the 3 minute timer when speaking, the "thank you for your comment" standard reply for all concerns in public and most importantly gone is the old guard that represented the D.O.E. and union concerns over parents.   This year we have watched the community and the school interact with sincerity and purpose, Thank you Staff and Board and  the activist parents that care, Together you have done here in Fredon what much of the country is trying to figure out, how to educate children while respecting Family Values!

The Fire Department

This year we passed an updated ordinance further defining the relationship between the Municipality and the Department.  The Committee appointed 2 new liaisons that have worked to open new lines of communication and the relationship has developed in a very positive direction.  Although we are a very well equipped, respected and a professionally  run, exemplary  department, we have 2 major needs;  MEMBERS and donations.  I urge all of us to join if you can and Please Donate.  

The Recreation Committee

After 2 years of covid, this year was a opportunity to step up community events, and the committee went above and beyond, Fredon Day, Concert in the Park, Trunk or Treat, with more events to come, are just some examples of what they do for Fredon.  Beyond the obvious events they organize team and league participation, keep our park  and Civic Center interesting and eventful for our families.  It was great to have things back to full swing and so well run!

Ratables 

Our taxes if Fredon are paid mostly by property owners, we have very little light industry.  The State of New Jersey has incentivized warehouse locations to come to Sussex county.  This will be a logistical nightmare for rural Sussex County.  The opportunities for industry are limited.  With 68% of Fredon voters approving legalization of cannabis we became a target for the marijuana  industry.  This year we have approved a CULTIVATION ONLY license to be located in our light industry zone. All growing will be indoors with NO Access for sale or distribution, by ordinance and by State law.  Security as well as a low profile will be employed.  The company with approvals estimated a gross profit of 138 million dollars a year.  Fredon gets 2% by law before property taxes or any other fees.  Last year our total expenditure for the Municipality  was around 2.8 million,  2% X 138. million  equals 2.7 million alone.   It would be a complete dereliction of responsibility for us not to bring this kind of revenue to Fredon.  This one Business alone could nearly double our tax intake,  of course these are estimates, but good ones!!!

The Road Department

Matt and the DPW are always understaffed yet perform beyond our greatest expectations.  We are blessed with Matt's leadership and incredible ability to operate flawlessly under all conditions. Puder Road Bridge restoration project is on the schedule

The entire staff at the Municipality are operating like a well oiled machine!!! 

FREDON HAD A GOOD 2022. Here's to a happy 2023!

John Flora

Mayor