News & Updates
Sessa’s Corner: Putting the Mayor on the Hot Seat!
Topics Covered:
2:20 | How would I describe the first two years?
4:30 | Taxes…
5:35 | Biggest Accomplishments: The Team I’ve built.
6:48 | Taxes…
11:34 | Covid19, Budget, Lawsuits & $1.6M owed to Newark for back water charges
19:10 | The Team: Township Manager
20:25 | Taxes…
23:50 | Lead in the Water
28:30 | Lead Line Replacement
34:20 | Area in need of Rehabilitation/Redevelopment, PILOTS & Using Developer money for an Indoor Turf Facility?
46:42 | New Program: Free Money for Home Improvements
48:08 | Development Updates
52:50 | Turf Facilities, Municipal Stadium Complex at the HS, Newark Reservoir as a Park!
1:02:50 | Recreation Fees & Feeder Program
1:12:34 | Health Benefits
1:20:25 | Post Office
1:25:18 | Covid19 Masks
1:30:26 | What else can we expect?
PILOT Explanation
On Tuesday, March 26 2019, rather than giving my traditional ‘Mayor’s Report,’ I opted instead to give some prepared remarks. Since we had two financial agreements on the agenda regarding PILOTs, Payments in Lieu of Taxes, my remarks centered around a PILOT explanation, all the positive benefits for Belleville, the additional revenue and how little they actually impact that School District. I believe the applause at the end, is indicative of the silent majority in Belleville finally stepping forward to be heard. If you’re concerned or curious, I highly recommend taking the time to listen.
Water Rates Message from Mayor Melham
Click here for Spanish version
Dear Belleville Water Purchaser:
Since taking office in July, 2018, the Council and I have steadily been working to cure some of the long term problems that have plagued Belleville. I’m happy to report that collectively, we have made a lot of progress. Some of that progress has included hiring a full-time CFO, which we haven’t had for years, and for the first time in decades, a full-time, outside, professional Township Manager. Some may think these two positions would be staples in a Township the size of Belleville, but for many years, they were not. Because of our decisions the Township now has a professional team ‘watching the store.’
Which leads me to this quarter’s Water Bill. Recently the Township Council voted to increase water fees. Why? Because as you may or may not know, Belleville has a contract to purchase water from the City of Newark. That contract, which has been expired since 2015 gradually ticks up the rate the City of Newark charges Belleville. The problem was, Belleville, had not changed our water fees since 2012, which left our Water Utility running a deficit year after year. Clearly a private business buying a product for X and reselling would never be sustainable if and when the cost to purchase the product far surpasses the fee you resell it for. Well, this is exactly what has happened over the past six years.
Furthermore, while the Township has run a loss, for six years, meaning we pay the City of Newark more than what we collect in water bills, we have also been out of contract for many years. This means, that we currently owe and have already begun to pay back the City of Newark $1.6M in back water payments.
In 2.5 years, we have accomplished a lot. However, we are still tackling several issues from the past. Thankfully, I am confident in the team we have in place. I believe collectively my Council colleagues and I are righting the ship and providing a good, solid foundation for Belleville to move forward.
Sincerely,
Michael A. Melham, Mayor
Township of Belleville
Copyright 2022 Melham Team. Paid for by Melham for Belleville 2022.