New Providence Monthly Chat with Mayor Al Morgan: Budget, Capital Projects, and Community Events

Mayor Morgan highlights $26.6 million budget process, upcoming police and public works renovations, and previews Municipal Government Week and Easter Egg Hunt

By Bobbie Peer

Published April 5, 2025 at 5:06 PM

NEW PROVIDENCE, NJ — In the latest edition of TAPinto New Providence’s Monthly Chat with Mayor Al Morgan on April 4, 2025, Mayor Morgan sat down with Bobbie Peer to discuss a range of topics, including the borough’s $26.6 million budget, upcoming capital projects, and a variety of community events scheduled throughout April.

The conversation kicked off with an in-depth discussion about the 2025 municipal budget, which was introduced in March and is slated for approval at the end of April. Mayor Morgan emphasized that the budget process is an ongoing, year-long effort involving meticulous planning and frequent reviews.

“Once this budget is approved, we look at every line item, month by month,” Morgan explained. “Jim Testa and Bernadette [Cuccaro] go through everything—where we’re coming up short, where we’re saving money—because we can only transfer monies in November. It’s all very regulated.”

According to Morgan, approximately 80% of the budget is allocated to salaries and benefits, which continue to rise annually. This year, health insurance costs alone jumped by 12%, making it challenging to stay within the state-mandated 2% cap on municipal budgets. After several Finance Committee meetings, officials managed to reduce the proposed property tax increase from 2.9% to 1.9%, which equates to an average increase of $87 annually on a home valued at $790,000.

Morgan also clarified that the borough only controls about 20% of the overall tax bill, with the remainder going to the Board of Education (60%) and Union County (20%).

Mayor Morgan discussed two significant capital projects on the horizon: renovations to the New Providence Police Department and upgrades to the Public Works building.

The police station, originally part of the Lincoln School building renovated in 1982, no longer meets current standards or needs. Today, the department has 32 officers, compared to 18 or 20 at the time of the last renovation.

“By law, the police station has to be the last standing building in the borough,” Morgan said. “You can imagine what that means and how much more money that costs.” The estimated price tag for the project is approximately $10 million.

The Public Works building, dating back to the late 1940s with an addition from the 1970s, also requires modernization to accommodate the borough’s larger and more versatile vehicles. That project is expected to cost around $4.4 million. Both projects will likely be funded through 20-year bonds.

Morgan mentioned that these capital improvements are designed to last 30 to 40 years, ensuring long-term sustainability for the borough.

On a lighter note, Mayor Morgan previewed the upcoming Municipal Government Week, featuring daily events from Monday through Saturday. Activities will include Touch-a-Truck, Coffee with the Council, and an open house at the Historical Society’s Mason Room at the library.

“I went to the Mason Room one day and I think I got lost for four hours just reading all the history,” Morgan said. “If you want to know anything about New Providence’s history, that’s the place to go.”

Morgan also highlighted the 56th annual Easter Egg Hunt organized by the Lions Club, taking place at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 12 at Oakwood Park. The event will feature 2,500 hard-boiled eggs dyed by volunteers, a tradition that has delighted local families for decades.

“It’s the only town I know that does real hard-boiled eggs,” Morgan laughed. “It’s actually easier than stuffing plastic eggs, and it’s environmentally friendly.”

The event will include a silver egg and a gold egg, with special prizes awarded to the lucky finders. As always, the Easter Bunny is expected to make an appearance.

On a more serious note, Morgan addressed potential concerns about federal funding, noting that most of the borough’s revenue comes from local property taxes.

“I feel more sorry for people who work for the federal government, where they could face hardships,” Morgan said. “Most of our funding—over 90%—comes from local property taxes. We may lose something in a grant, but if that happens, we just don’t do the project.”

Morgan added that he is monitoring the situation and plans to discuss possible state-level ramifications with Congressman Tom Kean and Senator Jon Bramnick.

Morgan closed the conversation by wishing residents a happy Passover and Easter and expressing hope for good weather in the coming weeks.

“I always enjoy these monthly chats, Bobbie,” Morgan said. “It’s great to share what’s happening in New Providence and keep everyone informed.”

For more information on the budget presentation and details about Municipal Government Week, visit the borough’s official website here.