Progress made on strategic plan for Elizabeth Borough

By CHRISTINE HAINES

chaines@yourmvi.com

The strategic management plan for Elizabeth Borough should be half done by the end of June, according to the consultant hired to prepare the five-year guide for the community.

Dennis Martinak of D. Martinak Planning & Consulting told borough council Tuesday that his team is about two months away from completing the first three parts of the six-part plan. The STMP program provides matching grants to help municipalities develop comprehensive multi-year financial plans and establish objectives.

Martinak said he and members of his team have begun a financial analysis of the borough and went over the needs of the police department with Chief William Sombo. They also toured the community and reviewed crime statistics. The team is also developing a list of stakeholders to meet with for additional input on borough needs.

Martinak said the final report will look at the central business district, the riverfront, vacant lots, abandoned buildings and brownfield areas.

Martinak said he will attend monthly council meetings to provide updates on the STMP plan as it develops. Michael Foreman of the state Department of Community and Economic Development, which oversees the STMP program, also participated in the meeting by telephone, reminding Martinak that the draft plan should be submitted to him prior to being presented to the borough officials.

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