"Change is the law of life...."

     I was reading an article in the most recent edition of NJ Municipalities.  It was on the subject of Municipal Capital Projects.  It started with the following quote from John F. Kennedy,

“Change is the law of life.  And those who look only to the past or the present are certain to miss the future.” 

I had not heard it before, but it did resonate with me.  I love a good quote!  As Municipal Manager, I have encountered many people who subconsciously fear change and consciously oppose issues that move our town forward, whether it involves development, redevelopment, capital improvements, municipal services, or restructuring a fire department to answer the community's public safety needs.  No matter the issue or the actions the elected officials or I take that are intended to impact the community positively; there will undoubtedly be opposition and disagreement in some form or another.  In my first few years, I had the naïve thought that there was no way someone could be against “this or that,” but it never took too long to understand how wrong I was.  As I approach my seventh year in the position, though I strive for universal approval, I understand it is impossible.

       Several months ago, at a council meeting where a redevelopment project was being discussed, an elderly man approached the podium to participate in public comment.  I know this man to be a good man with a good heart and a strong interest in our community and its governance.  He said that “we don’t need any more apartments” in our community in an effort to oppose a potential housing project.  It followed up on a similar position espoused by a former elected official from our town.  I found the comment to be disappointing and shortsighted.    The idea of “closing borders” is in the national conversation, and at times, it also becomes a local battle cry.  But for the local issue, I think some aspects need to be considered that are not.

I am certain this man has lived in this community for decades in a house he owns that probably does not have a mortgage.  So, when he says the town doesn’t need any more apartments, he is coming from the mindset that he does not have a need for an alternative housing situation in our town.  But many people do.  I can’t tell you how often I have heard that younger people who grew up in Lawrence Township and want to stay and live here in their young adulthood can’t afford to.  Or for the elderly person (or couple) looking to downsize, sell their home, and can’t find an affordable rental situation in town.  Or Lawrence Township’s never-ending obligation to provide and meet affordable housing requirements (by creating new housing) as determined by the NJ Supreme Court.  We call it an obligation, but it is better stated to be our responsibility that we should want to meet – and we do!  Like it or not, we need to remain a thriving community, and housing is interwoven with what a thriving community means.  This is not to say that there should be a frenzy of new housing built in our town, but responsible growth is necessary.   And for those who will argue that our schools are overcrowded as a way to fight new housing developments, I will tell you that the data shows this is not true.   

      Opposition to change is also present in our efforts to transition from a volunteer firefighting force to a combined volunteer-career fire department.  You see it on the various community FB pages and in letters directed to our elected officials.  Though the struggle to find and have volunteer firefighters join a fire company and respond to calls is a national problem being addressed by thousands of communities just like ours, there is a small group of volunteers who have a difficult time adjusting from their autonomous status of self-rule as a fire company serving our community to one providing fire protection within a combined fire department under the supervision and command of a township official.   We all knew that this period of transition was going to be challenging – because change is difficult.  But our elected officials and I are responsible for ensuring public safety.  If we put community first above the wants and needs of a volunteer firefighter and individual volunteer fire company, the path forward is clear – though the road will be bumpy. 

Since 2017, we have made substantial efforts to support the volunteer fire companies, honor their service, and responsibly address the serious needs of our community for firefighting services.  Will we ever get to the point where every individual volunteer firefighter will accept the change or agree with the decisions made in the interests of the entire community? No – most assuredly, no.  But that’s not the goal – and it can’t be the goal.  Whether it relates to capital improvement projects, residential and commercial development projects, or addressing serious public safety issues, change is the law of life, and we can’t miss our future.   

We want Lawrence Township to thrive, to take action that allows us to continue to provide the services our residents deserve and expect, and to make our community diverse and dynamic.