'Year to Remember' for Florham Park, Mayor Says

Bids to build the Elm Street Recreation Area were opened on Thursday and ground on the project is expected to be broken in March or April, Mayor R. Scott Eveland announced in his 2013 mayoral address.

The bids will be reviewed for compliance and the lowest bidder will be presented to the council for approval, he said.

Florham Park worked all year long on obtaining DEP approvals and completing engineering plans for the project, he said in his recap of 2012, which also touched on the borough's planning and recovery from Superstorm Sandy and accomplishments by borough departments, employees, volunteers and elected officials.

"We are proud of the way the final design will fit Florham Park's recreational needs for generations to come," Eveland said of the Elm Street project. "There is something for everyone in this park: walking and running trails, hiking trails in the woods, a dog park, community garden and recreation fields and facilities for all sports."

The mayor recapped an at-times trying year for the borough and congratulated Councilwoman Carmen Cefolo-Pane and Councilman Scott Carpenter on their re-election, and Councilman Charles Malone on his election after being appointed to the governing body over the summer.

Mark Taylor was appointed to serve as council president again.

2012

Eveland said 2012 "will certainly be one to remember because of extensive power outages and damage from Superstorm Sandy.

"I am proud to say that not only did Florham Park fare better than many other communities, but we responded better than any other municipality," which he attributed to Florham Park's preparation and and employees' and community volunteers' willingness to do above and beyond what was necessary.

The year also saw the grand opening of BASF's new headquarters and the Thirsty Turtle bar.

Open space in the area of Stobaeus Field and Burnside Avenue was preserved, and progress was made on obtaining approvals for a dock and bridge on Spring Garden Lake.

Eveland also noted a number of Florham Park residents who made contributions to the town and died in 2012: Ray Bundschuth, Earle Wallo, Clyde Zukswert, Ken Kopia, John Cunningham, Ken Gregory and Richard Ruzicka.