Mayor Hemphill 2026 Address

Mayor’s Address – Jan 6, 2026

Happy New Year! As 2026 begins, I again want to thank EVERY Volunteer and EVERY Employee, all of whom have worked so hard to make Rumson the special community it is. I especially want to thank the Rumson Borough Administrative Staff, Rumson Police Department, the Rumson Fire Department, the Rumson First Aid Squad and the Rumson Department of Public Works for their hard work, untiring dedication, and, most importantly, for the risks they take every day to protect the quality of life we cherish in Rumson. I am sincerely hopeful that 2026 will be a great year, starting with peace and good health for everyone.

And now, the following is a report of The Borough events and activities of 2025 and a brief look forward to the New Year and 2026.

The Borough Council

The Borough Council Members have once again met the year’s challenges with diplomacy and with the dignity that would be expected from such an experienced group. I applaud each of you for the contributions you have made on behalf of all the residents of Rumson, and I extend my heartfelt thanks for your support and assistance throughout the past year.

On behalf of all Council members, it remains our honor and privilege to serve our community as your volunteer elected representatives.

Major Community Events

Rumson is a small, close-knit town with a great deal of pride and community spirit. Each year, numerous community events bring our residents together for fun and, often, to benefit worthy causes. Some events are sponsored by The Borough while others are organized by independent groups, but all contribute to the sense of togetherness long enjoyed by our residents.

Our partnership with the local school district continues to grow stronger each year, and we value the opportunity to include our students in Borough events. From Halloween to Christmas Tree and Menorah Lighting, Memorial Day to Veterans Day. If you have never attended, or if it has been some time since you participated in a Rumson community event, we encourage you to join us in 2026.

Rumson EMS

The Rumson First Aid Squad is comprised of dozens of dedicated volunteer members, many of whom have completed the rigorous Emergency Medical Technician certification process. In 2025, the Squad responded to hundreds of calls within Rumson and provided assistance to neighboring communities as needed.

The residents of Rumson should take pride and comfort in knowing their First Aid Squad is ready, 24 hours a day, to respond to every type of medical emergency. We want to thank Captain Doug Rossbach for his service to our residents. We also wish to thank all of the volunteer officers and membership that continue to support our Volunteer First Aid Squad.

Rumson Fire Department

The Rumson Fire Department Volunteer members participate in extensive training each year to ensure they are fully prepared to respond to emergencies.

The Department responds to hundreds of fire and emergency calls within the Borough and surrounding communities annually and is staffed entirely by trained volunteer members. We extend our sincere thanks to Fire Chief Kevin McCarthy, Assistant Chief Nicholas Luiten, senior officers, and all members who continue to support our Volunteer Fire Department.

Volunteers are always needed for both EMS and the Fire Department, and Borough residents are encouraged to apply and learn how they can assist with Rumson’s First Aid and Fire Protection services.

Rumson Police Department

The Rumson Police Department is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, to serve the residents of the Borough of Rumson. All officers complete extensive annual training to sharpen their skills and remain current with evolving law enforcement practices.

On behalf of the Rumson Borough Council, I thank Chief  Robert Boyer and all members of the Rumson Police Department for their professionalism and dedication. Throughout the year, officers continued to meet new challenges while maintaining the highest standards of service.

I would like to one again remind residents to lock vehicles and remove keys and valuables as a proactive safety measure.

Department of Public Works

The Department of Public Works continues to do an exceptional job maintaining the Borough’s streets, parks, facilities, and infrastructure in all weather conditions. Their work is essential to keeping Rumson safe, clean, and functioning efficiently year-round.

The Borough’s sanitary sewer system requires constant care, service, and maintenance. Rumson maintains approximately 75 miles of sewer pipe that conveys wastewater through multiple pumping stations before processing with the Two Rivers Water Reclamation Authority.

The Borough will continue to advance its Sewer Rehabilitation Program, with Phase 4 and Phase 5 scheduled to take place in 2026. These projects are part of our long-term commitment to improving system reliability, reducing groundwater infiltration, and maintaining compliance with State regulations.

Additional improvements include sewer electric quick disconnects and new electrical service and master switch gear for the main pump station, which will enhance operational safety and emergency preparedness.

The Department of Public Works Toy Drive in early December was once again a great success. The Toy Drive brought in hundreds of gifts, which were distributed to Family and Children’s Services and the Salvation Army in Red Bank, benefiting many local children in need. Thank you to everyone for your generous support, and to our Public Works employees who continue to donate their time each year for this worthy cause.

We thank Superintendent of Public Works Daryl Kochel and all DPW employees for their leadership, dedication, and continued service to our community.

Parks & Recreation

Rumson Recreation, led by new Recreation Director Shane Fallon, offers over 35 programs annually enjoyed by more than 3,500 residents of all ages. Activities include a variety of recreational youth sports and non-sports programming, summer camps, as well as featured family events and holiday parades. We continue to look for new programming and for ways to improve our recreational processes.

Rumson Rec utilizes over 300 volunteer coaches each year and provides volunteer opportunities for local teens and seniors. The Council and I would like to thank all our devoted volunteer Recreation Commission Members for their time and devotion to the benefit of our children and our community. We would also like to thank our parents and participants for their support.

In 2025, under Charlie Hoffmann’s leadership, we saw an incredible transformation of our beloved Meadow Ridge Park, now equipped with brand-new, state-of-the-art fitness playground and training equipment, complemented by a new traffic pattern to further improve community safety. We sincerely thank Charlie for everything he did during his tenure as the head of our Recreation Department, and we wish him nothing but the best.

In 2026, the Borough is proud to announce significant playground improvements and updates at Victory Park, enhancing safety, accessibility, and overall enjoyment for families while maintaining the high quality of our recreational facilities.

RumsonAmerica250 Committee

As the Borough prepares to celebrate a historic national milestone, I would like to recognize the efforts of the Rumson250 Committee, whose members have worked tirelessly to plan Rumson’s 250th anniversary celebration for America.

Plans included a sold-out kickoff event this past fall to launch the anniversary year, along with additional events and commemorations planned throughout 2026, which will celebrate Rumson’s rich history, strong community, and shared future. We encourage all residents to take part in our special events as we mark this important occasion together. Learn more by visiting the Rumson America 250 webpage, found on The Borough of Rumson’s website.

Affordable Housing

In 2025, the Borough completed its required 3rd Round Affordable Housing Cycle, satisfying all conditions of its court-mandated settlement agreement. At the same time, the Borough’s Affordable Housing Committee developed the Borough’s 4th Round plan, meeting all requirements and deadlines under the newly adopted State Affordable Housing legislation.

With a new 4th Round settlement agreement reached in late December, the Committee and its professionals are now focused on continued development of approved Affordable Housing Projects in the West Park and Piping Rock Park neighborhoods. In October, the Borough received confirmation of a $3 million grant to offset the West River Neighborhood Project, reducing overall development costs by approximately 50%.

The most up-to-date information on Rumson’s Affordable Housing Program is available on the Borough of Rumson website’s Affordable Housing Opportunities, Affordable Housing Program, and Affordable Housing Projects webpages. Additional updates on the 4th Round plan and the new settlement agreement with Fair Share Housing Center will be shared this spring via Constant Contact and the Borough’s website.

Infrastructure Improvements

The Borough will seek to continue infrastructure improvement efforts in 2026, including the potential for continued paving projects. As always, the Borough strives to leverage outside funding sources to minimize the impact on local taxpayers.

Investments in roads, utilities, parks, and facilities help preserve Rumson’s character, safety, and value for future generations.

The Borough continues to invest in its municipal facilities to ensure continuity of operations and long-term sustainability. In 2026, emergency power upgrades are planned for Rumson Borough Hall, improving reliability during power outages and emergency situations.

Additionally, the ongoing HVAC and lighting upgrade project at Borough Hall is planned to enhance efficiency, comfort, and service for the community.

Construction Department

The Borough of Rumson’s Construction Office is one of the best in Monmouth County. With the skilled full and part time staff, the Construction Office, led by Nick Fabiano, oversees all the building projects within our Borough as well as in Little Silver and Fair Haven through a continued, long standing multi-town shared service agreement. We thank the professionals of this great department for their work each and every day.

Engineering Department

The Borough’s Engineering Office, led by Borough Engineer David Marks, designs and manages infrastructure projects such as roadway, sidewalk and curb improvements, sanitary sewer and drainage upgrades, and park projects, while also serving as the Borough’s representative for numerous Monmouth County initiatives, including the recently completed Rumson-Sea Bright Bridge and the future Oceanic Bridge Replacement. Supporting these efforts, Brett Hunger serves as the Borough’s Project Manager, overseeing construction projects and advancing engineering initiatives, while also fulfilling the roles of Code Enforcement Officer and Tree Conservation Officer. Having the Engineering Office as part of Borough staff has significantly reduced costs and decreased reliance on outside consulting firms.

Our DPW and Borough Engineer continue to outline key steps the Borough is taking to address groundwater infiltration, the importance of eliminating illicit connections and rehabilitating the entire Rumson sanitary sewer system. Based on these efforts the Borough contributed 200 million gallons less wastewater in 2025 compared to 2024.

We continue to prepare for both the short-term and long-term futures of our community, the Borough will undergo a Masterplan Re-Examination in 2026 and we look forward to presenting our findings and ideas to the community.

I would like to once again remind residents that sump pumps, yard drains and roof leaders are illegal connections into sanitary sewer lines.

Borough Staff & Commission Volunteer Updates

We appreciate our Borough’s municipal staff, including the Borough Hall Staff, Department of Public Works, and Police Department, who continue to provide professional and courteous service to our residents within the budgetary and regulatory constraints set forth by the State of New Jersey.

I would also like to personally thank the Chairs and Members of the Borough’s various Committees, Commissions, and Boards. Their volunteer service and thoughtful review of important issues are among Rumson’s greatest assets. Residents interested in volunteering are always welcome and encouraged to get involved.

Once again, our Police Department, Department of Public Works, and our volunteer Fire Department and First Aid Squad are to be commended for their unconditional commitment to the safety and welfare of our residents. We appreciate your service and thank you all.

On behalf of all our Council Members and myself, I want to wish everyone a Happy, Healthy, and Peaceful New Year. May God Bless us all and God Bless America.

Sincerely,

Joseph K. Hemphill

Mayor