Misciagna thanked his wife, Desiree, and three children, Keith, Ashley and Ryan, though only his wife and Ryan attended the swearing in. “I’m particularly fond of Ryan right now because he’s the only one that made it,” joked the mayor. “I love you all and I appreciate your support during this process,” he added.
“To those that voted for me I will continue to work to live up to your confidence in me and those that did not vote for me, I will work to gain your support,” Misciagna said. He said that he was “grateful” for the team built in recent years, including clerk Maggie Giandomenico, operations director Paul Longo, and many others, including department supervisors, the fire department, police department, emergency medical services and municipal employees.
He characterized 2023 as “a very productive year for Park Ridge” noting a few years ago there were empty storefronts, while 2023 was “a time of revitalization” downtown. He cited Curbside Confections, Altius Physical Therapy, Skin Spirit, Spine & Health Center, Pier 192 and soon to open, The Barrel House at The James.
He noted recent business openings and some planned expansions, including The Residence at Park Ridge, an assisted living facility.
He said such business activity “made me very optimistic about our future.” He also noted restoration of the town’s historic train station is “going to happen this year” as the borough has totaled nearly $600,000 in grants.
“Each grant saves the Park Ridge taxpayers money,” he said. Misciagna singled out the efforts of Ralph Donnell, Jr., for working to restore the historic train station.
He also noted in 2023 the borough received $3.4 million in federal funds for PFAS or “forever chemicals” remediation from three local wells that were taken offline; $1.5 million in state funds for capital projects; a $40,000 local recreation improvement grant, $300,000 in grants to help replace the Glen Road Bridge, $254,000 to repair the Wortendyke Barn, and funding to help purchase about 3 acres for open space on North FIfth Street open space.
Misciagna said he hoped the borough continues the progress being made in 2024, which will include addressing the dredging of Electric Lake (a $15.5 million non-binding referendum to dredge the lake was defeated on Nov. 7); upgrading the borough’s electrical grid to meet new electricity demands; upgrading water supply wells to make sure they have clean water for future generations; and revisiting the community center project.
“So as you see, we still have a lot to do and I’m happy to work with this council to get it done,” said Misciagna.
The council also approved 36 resolutions and scores of council and mayoral appointments, annual professional service contracts, 2024 temporary budget appropriations, appointment of a borough planner (Burgis Associates), and appointment of a borough attorney (John Schettino).
A 59-page reorganization agenda can be found on the borough’s website and a video of the sine die and reorganization sessions are archived on the borough website courtesy of PKRG-TV.