Outgoing Councilman Collins Proud of Borough's Status

Neal Collins will leave borough council on Monday knowing he did lots to make the municipality's residents healthier.

The Democratic councilman, who was defeated in November's election in a bid for a second three-year term, said he was proud of creating a borough-administered farmer's market, which takes place on Saturdays during the summer.

He said he also proud the Board of Health is working on initiatives that would ban smoking in certain borough parks.

Those efforts, combined with other work he has done on the council, make him proud of his tenure.

"I always strived to do good for the community and the residents," Collins said. "I'm please that the voters have selcted people that I have no doubt will continue that."

At the borough's reorganizational meeting Monday, Republicans Len Resto and John Holman will assume council spots previously held by Collins and fellow Democrat Joseph Mikulewicz, who was also replaced in November's elections.

During a Saturday phone interview, Collins spoke highly of the work various community organizations are doing to keep the quality of life high for the borough's residents.

He talked, in particular, of the work the Municipal Alliance Committee of the Chathams has been doing to encourage students and other young people to stay off drugs.

Collins has also been involved in other borough matters. He worked on the borough's Personnel Committee, where he said he helped hire several new employees that have helped positively contribute to the borough's operations.

During his tenure, the borough hired Tammie Kopin as its chief financial officer, Janice Piccolo as its administrative assistant and Vincent DeNave as a full-time engineer.

"They're going to bring many years of frutiful, efficient work to the commmunity," Collins said.

In the future, Collins said, the borough council will need to get creative to make sure it has enough money to ensure the municipality continues to be well-run.

He said a variety of efforts to share services could help Chatham in the future.

"They're going to have continued challenges if the state dosn't provide aid like they did in the past," Collins said. "Finding efficiencies with shared services will further enhance consideration for shared services."

Regardless of the election results, Collins said he took pride in his council work.

"We'll continue to be the best place to live in New Jersey," he said.