Somerville's new mayor outlines plans to become 'envy of towns throughout New Jersey'

SOMERVILLE – He's back as mayor of what he calls "two-and-a-half square miles of awesome."

Brian Gallagher was sworn in Monday to a four-year term as mayor during the Borough Council's annual reorganization meeting at Somerville High School.

Gallagher, who defeated incumbent Democrat Dennis Sullivan in the November election, emphasized during his State of the Borough address that municipal officials need to start developing long-range strategies so the county seat can have a "bold, community-driven future."

Gallagher said that the "playbook" that guided Somerville in the early part of the century when he first was mayor has to be updated.

As part of the work that needs to be done to develop those 10-year strategies, the mayor said he would appoint an "infrastructure task force" to review plans for roads, recreation, technology and the Department of Public Works.

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He also said the Planning Board should return to an emphasis on planning, instead of the "bureaucratic" process of reviewing development applications.

Gallagher said the Planning Board should review Somerville's master plan, redevelopment projects and zoning, including properties along Peter's Brook that are prone to flooding.

The borough must also work on ways to reduce "onerous negotiations" for homeowners who want to improve their properties, he said.

The regulations and process should "be easier to navigate," including reviewing fees that "deter investment," Gallagher said.

"Customer service is paramount," he said.

Another important planning issue, Gallagher said, is the future of the Somerset County Jail site at the corner of Cliff and Grove streets. Somerset County officials have indicated they are in negotiations to close the facility and enter into a shared services agreement with another county.

Gallagher said he would also work with county officials on a plan to locate an arts and cultural center in Somerville, "Somerset County's downtown."

"The county needs to have its name on it," he said.

One of the biggest rounds of applause came when Gallagher vowed to bring back a Memorial Day parade which was not held in 2023 because of extended programming for the Tour of Somerville bicycle races.

Gallagher also promised that he would settle a new contract with Somerville police officers who have been working without a contract for a year.

Beside bringing back a Public Safety Committee, Gallagher said he would press the state Department of Transportation to make road and sidewalk improvements of Van DerVeer School to improve safety for students who have to cross Route 28 to the school.

The local sales tax revenue from any cannabis business should be dedicated to recreation programs and the borough's emergency services, Gallagher said.

The borough should continue to exercise its "we can" spirit in planning for the future, he said.

"We are the envy of towns throughout New Jersey," he said.

Gallagher served 14 years as mayor before he ran successfully for a seat on the Somerset County freeholder board. He lost his bid for reelection then sought another term as mayor of the county seat.

In his farewell address, Sullivan said much has changed since he first came to teach at VanDerveer School in 1973 and eventually moved here and raised a family.

"I may have come to Somerville to teach others," Sullivan said, "but I have learned a lot from those around me, and for that I will always be grateful."

Sullivan said he was proud of the changes in Somerville.

"People want to live here, businesses want to open here and private capital wants to invest here,” he said.

"A changing landscape and new energy will continue to mark Somerville as a vital community that is both proud of its past and confident in its future," Sullivan said.

The former mayor's voice broke as he remembered his daughter Meredith, who died in August at the age of 38. He remembered her "musical talents were often on display all over Somerville, most especially on this very stage where, fittingly, my public life concludes."

In his last official act as mayor, Sullivan named Councilman Tom Mitchell as the 2023 Citizen of the Year.

Thompson, who was first elected in November 2003, has served on the Borough Council since then and has been active in aspects of municipal government, Sullivan said.

Mitchell has also been active in the Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts and other community activities.

Email: mdeak@mycentraljersey.com

Mike Deak is a reporter for mycentraljersey.com. To get unlimited access to his articles on Somerset and Hunterdon counties, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.

This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: Somerville NJ new mayor outlines plans for 2024 an beyond