As part of his strategic plan for the township, Mayor Eric Wilsusen convened a SWOT meeting.
SWOT stands for strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats. It is an opportunity for department heads and other supervisors to analyze their departments and create solutions.
Wilsusen said the morning session had everyone together, about 20 employees. In the afternoon they broke into groups such as public safety, construction, and finance.
“It’s a great exercise,” Wilsusen said. John Eskilson, who served as acting administrator during the beginning of the mayor’s term, helped facilitate the meeting, which was held at the Kean University campus in Jefferson.
Wilsusen reported on the SWOT meeting to the council on Wednesday, December 19. He said he would report back when he gets a final analysis from Eskilson.
In another report to the council, Township Administrator Debra Millikin talked about the township’s application for a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG).
Councilman Bob Bimingham suggested at one point trying to get a van to provide transportation to residents. Millikin said she could look into a grant for a van, but she believes transportation grants go primarily to non-profit organizations. She said if that is the case, she would look into an infrastructure grant, possibly for water line replacement.
CDBG annually accepts grant applications in four areas:Â improvements, services, facilities, and housing.
In other business, the council approved the contract for Raymond Tighe, the township’s new part-time tax assessor. He will receive $60,000 a year and work during regular business hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Wilsusen reported the state Department of Transportation approved one of two grants the township applied for Ridge Road.
“We asked for grants for both Phase I and Phase II of the Ridge Road project,” Wilsusen said. He added he thought the DOT would fund Phase I first, but they approved a $350,000 grant for Phase II.
