Mr. Nicholas J. Pantina, PE, CME, CPWM, the City of Linden’s Engineer and Director of Community Services is the 2023 recipient of the New Jersey Planning Officials Achievement in Planning Award. The NJPO honored award recipients at the annual NJPO Achievement in Planning Awards Breakfast on September 29, 2023 .

“I’m both humbled and honored to be recognized with this award. My team members in the Engineering Department help contribute to our department’s excellence, and I see this recognition as a reflection of my team members’ efforts as well as my own”, said Mr. Pantina.

Mr. Pantina has thirty-five years of experience comprising various disciplines of Civil Engineering including municipal, project and construction management, pavement design and management systems, public and private infrastructure improvements, transportation, Planning & Zoning Boards, stormwater management, and soils. He successfully coordinates projects, plans, and develops strategies while managing strict budgets.

“Not only is Mr. Pantina a great resource and partner, but also he’s reliable and extremely knowledgeable. The City of Linden appreciates and values Mr. Pantina as the City Engineer and Director of Community Services,” said Mayor Derek Armstead. “As the City’s Engineer, he is responsible for coordinating technical and engineering projects. leadership skills, communication, along with innovation and creativity. I’m so proud that he’s a part of our team.”

As the Director of Community Services, Mr. Pantina oversees four divisions, comprising approximately 175 people from various departments, including Public Works & Vehicle Maintenance, Transportation & Properties, Engineering, and Information Technology. He also oversees the City’s Planning Board, Zoning Board of Adjustment and Shade Tree Advisory, as well as any redevelopment project construction. Mr. Pantina‘s past roles include Assistant Resident Engineer, Traffic Engineer, Member/Board of Trustees/Past President of the New Jersey Society of Asphalt Technologists, and Soil Inspector. He has also managed Professional Services Task Order Contracts for NJT’s Construction Management Group.

“Linden is a beautiful, forward-thinking, productive and proactive City”, said Mayor Armstead. “We continuously strive to create a working environment that provides opportunities to the local population and business community. When my department heads are recognized in this manner, it gives me great pride as well as affirm that we’ve made excellent decisions.”

Linden, N.J. – AUG. 2, 2023 – New Jersey American Water will install approximately 700 feet of new water main in Linden starting this week. The company will install the new 8- and 24-inch ductile iron main along Stiles Street, from Lynn Court to West Linden Avenue, and West Linden Avenue, from Stiles Street to Coolidge Street. 

The project also includes installing one fire hydrant and 20 utility-owned service lines along the pipeline route. Additionally, New Jersey American Water will replace any customer-owned service line that has been identified as lead or galvanized. This $700,000 investment will continue to advance water service reliability and increase water flows for household consumption and fire protection in this community. “I am always grateful when utility companies see the tremendous evolution in Linden and recognize that certain infrastructure and support services need to be enhanced or increased” said Mayor Derek Armstead.

New Jersey American Water’s local, qualified contractor, Montana Construction, will begin work this week and expects to be completed within approximately three weeks, weather permitting. Work hours will be from 7 am until 4 pm, Monday through Friday. Some overnight work may be required to maintain project schedule. Final street restorations will be completed in spring 2024. 

Project timelines are subject to change due to a variety of factors including weather and availability of supplies. For the public’s and workers’ safety, traffic restrictions and/or alternating traffic patterns are likely to occur during work hours. All emergency vehicles and local traffic will be allowed access during construction. New Jersey American Water values the safety of its workers and advises drivers and pedestrians to take caution in the vicinity of work sites.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Linden, New Jersey, May 1, 2023 – Linden Mayor Derek Armstead successfully offset a $3.2 MM loss caused by Governor Philip Murphy’s costly statewide New Jersey Health Benefits Plan. In fact, instead of a drastic property tax increase, Mayor Armstead’s creative allocation of municipal resources and collaboration with the Linden Board of Education resulted in a tax cut for Linden homeowners.

Armstead’s leadership was crucial in identifying solutions to the significant financial setback. He brought the Linden Board of Education into the mix, enabling the school system to identify $2 MM in potential tax savings. The Mayor then leveraged these savings, combined with his own creative allocation of municipal resources to produce a tax cut for all Linden homeowners. The achievement generated widespread praise, with residents commending the Mayor’s ability to think outside the box and find innovative solutions to complex problems. 

“As a former Mayor, I know the issue of employee benefits is an annual struggle,” said former West Orange Mayor Robert Parisi, who commented on Armstead’s fiscal wizardry. “There’s a contractual financial responsibility as well as a moral obligation to take care of your municipal employees where the costs are undeniable, so what Mayor Armstead did to eliminate that deficit is creative good government, and it demonstrates what an effective leader he is.”

First elected Mayor of Linden in 2014, Armstead has made significant strides improving the City’s infrastructure and economy with interconnected yet autonomous government agencies. His focus on creating jobs, attracting new businesses, and improving Linden residents’ quality of life has built a great relationship among its diverse population. 

Armstead’s leadership during this recent financial challenge further demonstrated his ability to navigate complex issues and produce tangible results. With Linden now enjoying a tax cut thanks to his efforts, Armstead’s reputation as an effective leader has only increased.

Some political observers have speculated that Armstead’s success could make him an attractive candidate for Governor in 2025, as Armstead’s continued success in Linden may be attractive to voters looking for a leader who can get things done. For now, Linden residents are celebrating Mayor Armstead’s success, offsetting a significant financial loss while providing ongoing tax relief for Linden, New Jersey homeowners.