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--- Document: 2026 State Of The Municipality Message, Opens Pdf Document Document ---
2026 STATE OF THE MUNICIPALITY ADDRESS
ALLAMUCHY TOWNSHIP
MAYOR ROSEMARY TUOHY
JANAURY 5, 2026
Good evening, friends, neighbors, council members, and staff.
As we welcome a new year, I am honored to share the progress we've made and the vision we
hold for Allamuchy Township-a community defined by its natural beauty, strong sense of
belonging, and steadfast commitment to preserving the quality of life that makes our township so
special.
Reflecting on 2025
Over the past year, we remained focused on fiscal responsibility while making strategic
investments in the services our residents rely on. Following the retirement of our longtime Chief
Financial Officer in early 2025, we strengthened our financial operations by entering into a Shared
Services Agreement with Clinton Township for a part-time CFO, and by hiring additional support
staff in the Finance Department. To further improve compliance and efficiency, we executed a
Professional Service Agreement for a Qualified Purchasing Agent, ensuring adherence to state
purchasing regulations.
In addition, the township has executed a Shared Services Agreement with the Allamuchy Board of
Education to provide fueling services for school buses. This initiative is projected to generate
significant cost savings for the school district. Furthermore, the township is actively evaluating
additional shared service opportunities to enhance efficiency and reduce expenses.
In 2025, the Township revised employee health care benefits by eliminating high-cost insurance
plans, transitioning to high-deductible health plans, and providing Health Care Spending Ac-
counts to ensure employees are made whole. This initiative began in 2026 and is saving the
Township tens of thousands of dollars annually.
Throughout these transitions, our municipal budget remained balanced, and we continued to
uphold our core principles of transparency and operational excellence.
When I took office in 2022, my priority was to stabilize the municipal tax rate and reduce costs.
Despite year-over-year inflation, the municipal portion of the average homeowner's property tax
increased only modestly-about $7 per year; or roughly $21 from 2022 to 2024. In 2025, there
was no increase in the municipal tax rate; the municipal tax on that same assessment of
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$350,000.00 remained flat.
Thank you to our council members and staff for helping achieve this result while maintaining
essential services. This Council will continue to be prudent stewards of taxpayers' money.
Infrastructure & Road Improvements
This year, we completed several significant paving projects that improved safety, accessibility,
and convenience for residents, including:
Cornerstone Development
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Freeborn Lane
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Parking Area at Green Acres Fields
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Municipal Parking Lots
These projects were funded through a combination of grants and allocations from our Capital
Improvement Fund-investing wisely without placing undue burden on taxpayers.
Energy Efficiency & Sustainability
We also advanced sustainability and cost savings. In 2025, the township received grant
incentives for energy-efficient upgrades. We modernized all HVAC systems and lighting at Town
Hall and the Allamuchy Fire Department. Through these efforts, the township's financial
responsibility was $142,000.00 out of a $571,400.00 total project cost-allowing us to complete
critical work without relying solely on local tax dollars. These upgrades will reduce energy
consumption, lower operating costs, and create a more comfortable environment for staff and
visitors. In 2026, we will be pursuing the same grant incentives for energy efficient upgrades to
our water and sewer plant.
Water & Sewer Infrastructure
Our water and sewer infrastructure is aging, and staffing the plant has become more challenging
due to retirements throughout the State and fewer new professionals entering the field. Despite
these realities, we have made important progress:
We are completing a 65,000-gallon water-holding tank at the plant. This project received 50%
principal forgiveness through the NJ State I-Bank, with the balance covered by a low-interest loan.
This tank complements the larger 600,000-gallon tank on Tower Road, replaced in 2022-
ensuring continued reliability of our drinking water system.
We executed a Professional Service Contract for water main leak detection loggers, allowing us to
be proactive rather than reactive in addressing water main breaks.
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Looking ahead, final engineering plans for the sand filter replacement at the sewer plant are
nearing completion. This project is estimated at approximately $2,000,000. The township also
needs to start planning for water main replacement which can run in the millions of dollars.
The reality is that our system is aging, and the pipeline of professionals entering this field is not
keeping pace. Currently, the township relies on two consulting firms working alongside our two
full-time employees to operate the water and sewer plant day-to-day.
We have been approached by companies interested in purchasing our water and sewer utility.
This is a critical conversation. Our current user fees cannot cover the necessary infrastructure
updates without raising rates and incurring debt through bonding. In the coming months, we will
engage residents in a transparent discussion about the best path forward-whether that's public
ownership with new investments or exploring a sale. Your input will be essential to making the
right decision for Allamuchy.
Recreation & Community Engagement
Allamuchy remains committed to enhancing recreational opportunities and strengthening the
connections that make our township a vibrant place to live. For the second consecutive year, we
secured a Recreational Grant-this time for $82,000-to refurbish a parcel of open space we
purchased in 2023. This land is part of the statewide Rails to Trails initiative, and our investment
will help connect Allamuchy's trail system to neighboring communities, creating new
opportunities for outdoor recreation.
In 2024, our first recreational grant helped fund upgrades to the Allamuchy Township Playground,
completed in December 2025, creating a safe and modern space for families to enjoy. In 2026,
we plan to pursue another grant to expand and enhance our recreational facilities. We value com-
munity input and look forward to engaging residents in conversations about these improvements.
Beyond physical upgrades, we've introduced programs that bring people together. Game Night at
Hafner Hall, held every Thursday evening, has become a popular tradition-giving residents a
welcoming space to gather, play cards and board games, and connect with neighbors.
Last summer, we proudly celebrated Warren County's 250th Anniversary with a signature
fireworks event that showcased Allamuchy's community spirit. Thanks to community
partnerships, sponsorships, township staff and volunteers, township costs were minimized, and
resident feedback was overwhelmingly positive.
Building on this success, we are already planning for America's 250th Anniversary in Summer
2026. This celebration will include expanded programming, a patriotic ceremony and veterans'
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recognition, to ensure a memorable experience for all. More details will be shared in the months
ahead.
Affordable Housing Mandates
In 2025, the Township continued its work on Affordable Housing requirements under the Fourth
Round Present and Prospective Need, as outlined by the amended Fair Housing Act. Initially, the
Township was directed to provide 281 affordable housing units over the next ten years. We
objected and submitted a formal planning report to the Affordable Housing Dispute Resolution
Program indicating our obligation was 55. We appeared for mediation before the program judge
who issued an Order that Allamuchy was obligated for 95 affordable housing units. We recently
had a settlement conference with Fair Share Housing Center in which the Township agreed to
plan for 29 affordable housing units in the Highlands Preservation area should sewer service
every be permitted by state agencies. The Town Council will be voting on this Settlement
Agreement this evening.
This outcome represents a major win for Allamuchy Township, significantly reducing the initial
mandate while ensuring compliance with state requirements.
I wish to convey my profound appreciation to Councilwoman Suzanne Chamberlin, David Novak,
Township Planner and Richard Beilin, Township Attorney for their outstanding leadership and
instrumental role in addressing this critical issue confronting our township. Their dedication and
tireless efforts have been pivotal in advancing solutions that will benefit our community for years
to come.
Closing
Together, we've achieved meaningful progress in stabilizing taxes, improving roads, upgrading
facilities, investing in recreation, and planning for the future. Together, we'll meet the challenges
ahead-particularly the critical decisions surrounding our water and sewer systems.
The township remains steadfast in its commitment to identifying and securing grant opportunities
that bring additional resources into our community. By leveraging these funds, we ensure that
local tax dollars are reinvested where they have the greatest impact, thereby reducing the
financial burden on our residents and promoting long-term fiscal responsibility.
I'm grateful to our council members, staff, first responders, volunteers, partners, businesses and
residents for your dedication to Allamuchy Township. Your voice matters. I invite you to participate
in our upcoming meetings and workshops, share your ideas, and help us shape the next chapter
of our community.
I would be remiss not to recognize Dr. Chuck Seipp, Superintendent of Allamuchy Township
School District. His commitment to community engagement, transparency, and excellence aligns
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closely with ours. I look forward to the continued progress and opportunities 2026 will bring for
our students and school district.
Let's continue working hand in hand to keep Allamuchy a place we're proud to call home.
In closing, we wish you a very healthy, happy and prosperous New Year.
May God Bless You and May God Bless the United States of America.
MaMarystudy
Rosemary Tuohy
Mayor of Allamuchy
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