‘Sense Of Community Surpassed Expectations:' Mendham Mayor

MENDHAM, NJ — COVID presented challenges to Mendham Township residents over the past two years that Sarah Neibart has been mayor; and she recognized the community, in a special New Year’s message, for its strength.

“I have witnessed a sense of community from our residents and community members that surpassed any expectation I have ever had,” Neibart wrote. “Everyone in our community put aside their differences and focused on one thing — helping each other.”

“It was truly extraordinary,” she continued.

“These past two years have been incredibly challenging for everyone,” Neibart said. “Thankfully, our community has remained relatively healthy. However, we have all been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic in one way or another. Some individuals in our community are grieving the loss of a loved one, some have suffered major health setbacks, while others have lost their employment and livelihoods. It has been an incredibly trying time, which has caused many of us to question ourselves and our sense of direction. Although at times it seems like the world stood still, due to the strength and love of our tremendous community, Mendham Township was lucky enough to continue moving forward.”

She described the entry to 2021 as one “full of uncertainty and hope,” with concerns about the efficacy of vaccines and a “deep yearning for ‘precedented times.’”

“As we await for the peak of the new Omicron variant, it is clear, none of us are entering 2022 unscathed,” she added, noting the county’s surge, with 7,299 newly reported cases between Dec. 23 and 30, citing a 55 percent spike during that timeframe.

She recognized the professional staff and frontline workers for the township, who have worked tirelessly since New Jersey’s first case on March 4, 2020, stating they “have done everything in their power to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the citizens of Mendham Township.”

Among the areas where they helped, she said, was responding to emergency calls, plus assisting at vaccine and testing clinics and township forums; and helping with township updates, spearheading assistance programs, holiday and birthday parades and other special events.

“They combine the best of professionalism and compassion and, over the last two years, are the glue that has kept us together,” Neibart added.

On non-COVID related topics, Neibart said the township has:

• Been without a tax increase in two years and had a slight decrease
• Attracted new families to move to the township.
• Processed more building permits than in past years
• Approved its new Master Plan
• Had an approval by the Planning Board and Township Committee for applications and a re-zoning request that Neibart says “will lead to smart, limited growth in the Township for years to come.”
• Officially opened the Historic Park at Pitney Farm
• Broke ground for the new police station, which should be completed by the summer.
• Plans to begin the infrastructure improvements to the town hall and library when the police department project finishes.

Read Neibart’s full message here.

Questions or comments about this story? Have a local news tip? Contact me at: jennifer.miller@patch.com.