Kearny Water Department

Kearny Water Department Drinking Water Report Info

I am honored to stand before you today as I begin another term as Mayor of Kearny. I want to express my sincere gratitude to the citizens of Kearny for entrusting me with the responsibilities of public service and allowing me the opportunity to help build our community's future.

I extend congratulations to our re-elected Council Members, the professionals appointed to guide us throughout the year, and citizens named to various boards and commissions. Thank you for your dedication and service - I look forward to our collaboration.

During my tenure as Mayor, I've learned that Town Hall's effectiveness depends greatly on the involvement of citizens who make up this wonderful community. This includes numerous community organizations, nonprofits, churches, businesses, and individual citizens who care deeply about improving residents' lives.

Our municipal employees deserve recognition - from DPW preparing for tomorrow's winter storm, to our Police Department who swiftly brought justice in a recent home invasion case, and our Fire Department responding to daily calls including a recent tragic house fire.

Our town truly represents a shared endeavor. We gather today as part of that endeavor, committed to enhancing our community and improving our citizens' quality of life. Despite our differences, we're motivated by Kearny's proud history - from our namesake Major General Philip Kearny to the thousands of Civil War veterans and immigrants who settled here.

Since our 1867 founding, Kearny has been a cultural crossroads - from Scottish immigrants who came when Clark Thread opened factories, to those arriving from Sweden, Lithuania, Italy, Japan, Portugal, and countries throughout the Americas including Peru, Ecuador, Brazil and Mexico.

We are a vibrant, inclusive community of diverse cultural traditions and beliefs, comprising young and old, immigrants, first-generation Americans, and multi-generational Kearny families. Our diversity strengthens us.

Our primary responsibility is ensuring community safety from crime and fire. Our low crime rates testify to the Kearny Police Department's effectiveness. Our Fire Department responds promptly to emergencies across our 10-square-mile town. We'll continue investing in public safety resources, including modern camera and software technology.

Quality of life also depends on our parks, playgrounds, streets and libraries. We've invested millions in infrastructure and public spaces during my mayorship. In recent years, we've repaved several miles of roadway using State Transportation, Community Development and PSE&G funding, built a dog park, and renovated multiple playgrounds.

Our biggest challenge remains the complete recreation of the Gunnel Oval facility - a $25 million project funded through multiple sources. Another crucial infrastructure project is a new stormwater pump station to alleviate flooding in Schuyler Avenue neighborhoods.