Positives At Every Turn  

To the Editor:

In the 1930s Mary Hawley gave the town a wonderful town hall.  But by the 1960s the building was no longer able to adequately contain the town hall offices, which over time have been dispersed to the four corners of town.

 By 1976 the Legislative Council came into being realizing there was an urgent need for a modern town hall, but where could it be located? When it was known that the state was going to close Fairfield Hills, some of us began to worry about what would happen to those very choice acres right in the geographic center of our town. Years went into studying and planning, for the acquisition of Fairfield Hills and, yes a modern town hall on that site.

 The bond issue to provide the money for those paramount items was carefully worked out, presented, voted positively at a town meeting in 2001. It took years, but in the end the town prevailed and we took title to Fairfield Hills. Before the town hall plans could be developed, again another school took precedence but no longer is that possible.

 Go through the town hall any day and see the impossible situations under which the dedicated employees struggle. There is no central air conditioning, only one fax machine, it is difficult to network without fiber optic wiring and massive electrical upgrades. Offices cannot hold the necessary records that are required by law. If OSHA ever looked closely, the offices would not pass and yet some people expect the employees to work year in and year out with no redress. This cannot go on! The town must step up and once every 300 years provide a fully functional, fully equipped air conditioned building with sufficient rooms, vaults, offices, and the other necessities to do the work the town requires of its government.

Herb Rosenthal was not a real Fairfield Hills enthusiast in the early years. Remember he was a member of the Board of Education for 13 years and chairman the last three. As first selectman he had to learn that the rest of the town, fire, police, roads, park and recreation, etc, really needed money too, not just the schools. He has served Newtown well and has put the needs of the town in proper priority in concert with the legislative and finance branches of the town government. Herb must, as the administrator of the laws, carry them out. The town voted for Fairfield Hills and a new town hall and he has to obey your edict.

 The town hall board of managers have the power to turn the beautiful building into an exemplary civic center. There are nothing but positives at every turn.

 My very best wishes to all.

Melissa Pilchard

22-year member of the council

372 Golf View Drive, Little Egg Harbor,  NJ  08087 January 25, 2007