Mayor’s Reorganization Address

Posted: January 7, 2022

Good evening and Happy New Year. It is an honor to be selected as Randolph’s mayor for 2022.

First of all, I thank you all: family, friends, Randolph residents, elected and appointed officials, for taking the time tonight to celebrate Randolph Township’s 2022 reorganization.

I thank the council for your vote of confidence in me and for your mentorship. I am fortunate to work with an experienced council - four of whom have already served as mayors.

I would like to thank my husband John, and my four children Sean, Katie, Matt and Caroline, for their support. As any volunteer knows, without your family’s backing—it would be impossible to volunteer in any capacity.

Congratulations to the new deputy mayor—Lou Nisivoccia. I appreciate you taking on this role. As a lifelong resident of Randolph, and an extremely accomplished and dedicated volunteer, you bring considerable and distinctive wisdom to this position.

I’m sure everyone in this room was hopeful that this public health crisis would be in our rearview mirror by now. My thoughts and prayers go out to the residents and families affected by COVID. I am confident in our township employees and professionals as they plan to navigate us safely through whatever this year will bring, and that we can put the worst of this crisis behind us in 2022.

I would like to thank our full team of employees, professionals and volunteers here in Randolph for their leadership and resourcefulness in dealing with this pandemic.

It starts at the top with our Township Manager Steve Mountain. In Randolph’s form of government, Steve functions as our CEO. Steve’s strong decision-making skills are key in guiding all of our departments as they provide critical services to our residents and businesses. In November, Steve announced his intention to retire effective June 30th. Therefore, hiring a new township manager will be one of the most important tasks for the council in 2022. The council has hired a consultant firm that specializes in this area of recruitment. We are early in the process, but we are inspired by the depth of experience within the candidates who have come forward so far. Steve, I know you have gone well beyond your responsibilities in assisting Randolph residents, particularly during this pandemic. We have 6 months to go before you leave us, but I just wanted to thank you for your dedication to Randolph’s residents and employees.

Donna Luciani, our township clerk, has had to navigate all of her duties throughout this crisis from municipal elections to council meetings—and took on many other responsibilities as well. Thank you so much, Donna, for using your professionalism, enthusiasm, and ingenuity in order to keep everything running so smoothly.

Our first responders have been our heroes. Under risk to their health and safety, they have entered difficult situations to render aid and provide other essential services to our residents. Thank you to our Randolph Police Department, fire department and rescue squad.

Last, but not least, I would like to thank the Randolph residents who have stepped up to volunteer during this pandemic. Volunteers such as:

• The Randolph COVID angels who scheduled vaccinations for our seniors and teachers.
• People who organized food drives and transportation for their fellow neighbors.
• Business owners and residents who worked to keep our town bright and cheerful. As an example—the lighted snowflakes on Sussex Turnpike.
• Volunteers that honored our veterans with remembrance services and projects like the Hometown Hero banners in our new Veterans Community Park.

Your efforts been a source of inspiration during this crisis and have bolstered the spirits of our entire community.

Another major undertaking for the council will be the review and adoption of the 2022 Municipal Budget and Capital Improvement Plan. Fortunately, the township is on a solid financial footing from previous years of prudent financial management. The township council has three budget meetings planned this winter: Saturday January 29th at 8:30 a.m., Thursday February 3rd at 5:00 p.m. and Saturday February 26th at 8:30 a.m. All of our meetings are open to the public; we welcome your input!

This year I look forward to serving on several workgroups and committees. They include: the Economic Development Committee, Communications, Emergency Management, Recycling/Sustainability, promotion of social services through the use of NJ211, liaison to Board of Education and County College of Morris and our new manager search effort.

One more item to mention tonight is the significance of keeping informed with township emergency notices. With winter storms, like the one in the forecast this evening, it is even more important to make sure you are receiving these emergency notices. On the front page of our township website there is a button labeled “Stay Informed!” If you click on it, you can sign up for township information broadcast systems and view news, events, and emergency notices.

I am looking forward to the year ahead serving as mayor and working alongside our full team including our township manager, employees, professionals, and township council. I have an incredible enthusiasm for what we will accomplish together in 2022. If I can assist you in any way, please reach out to me. My contact information is located on the township website.

Stay safe, and have a happy and healthy new year.

Mayor Marie Potter
January 6, 2022