Mike Deak, MyCentralJersey.com
January 10, 2024
Starting his second term as mayor, Jason Cilento said his primary goal for 2024 “is to make Dunellen a better place to live, work, play and do business.”
In the borough that he calls the “Miracle Mile,” the mayor said at the Borough Council’s reorganization meeting last week that improving Dunellen’s infrastructure will be tops on the priority list for the new year.
Among those projects are working with New Jersey American Water and PSE&G on utility upgrades and paving roads, partnering with Middlesex County and Piscataway on road improvements, improving Kline Place and advocating the rebuild of the South Avenue culvert under the railroad tracks to alleviate flooding.
In his first four years as mayor, Cilento said the borough had received $4.4 million in state and federal grants for road, park, environmental and transit village projects.
The mayor also noted that in the last four years the borough has seen nearly $68 million in downtown property improvements. In 2023, the borough welcomed 10 new businesses and the Dunellen Station project on the former Art Color site is nearly fully occupied.
“So long as we continue to promote and adopt a commerce-friendly mentality that attracts and retains new businesses, investors and builders,” Cilento said, “Dunellen’s downtown will continue to thrive and increase revenue that helps the borough to offset the tax burden on residents.”
The mayor also said the Borough Council will “work closely” with department heads to develop a long-term capital improvement program for the next several years.
The borough will also be developing a revenue analysis of redevelopment projects and a debt repayment plan “to alleviate this burden on the taxpayer,” Cilento said.
The mayor also said in 2024 the borough will review the organizational structure of the police department and determine the appropriate number of officers with the goal of adding a traffic control officer and a community engagement officer.
Cilento also pledged the borough will continue pedestrian and traffic measures by improving road striping, traffic lights and installing beacon lights at key intersections.
The mayor also said he will be reviewing the borough government’s structure and performance to “find efficiencies in our local government so that we can continue to enhance services to our constituents.”
The mayor said he also wants to work on an ordinance regulating truck traffic in the borough and develop a “student ambassadors program” with the high school so that teens can become more involved in the community.
“We can only be successful when everyone pitches in and in Dunellen, they do,” Cilento said. “As mayor I am encouraged and inspired every day by our collective volunteerism and unwavering dedication to continue making Dunellen a wonderful place to call home.”
Also at the reorganization meeting, Hal VanDermark and Crisol-Iris Lantz were sworn into three-year terms on the Borough Council.
Melissa Paltjon was named Dunellen’s Volunteer of the Year for serving many years on the Dunellen Recreation Commission. Bill Uhler was presented with Dunellen’s Lifetime Achievement award for his contributions to the community, including his leadership of Dunellen American Legion Post 119.
Alex Miller was sworn in as borough administrator, replacing the retiring William Robins. William Robertson was named new borough attorney, replacing John Bruder who is becoming a Superior Court judge. Lauren Staats was named borough clerk.
Email: mdeak@mycentraljersey.com