Our Values, Goals, and Record

RESPONSIVE, INCLUSIVE, & ENGAGING LEADERSHIP

We pride ourselves on working as a team with the residents of Collingswood. Connecting with you to hear your ideas or concerns is and has been critical to our town’s success. We always welcome new ideas and feedback – some of our best ideas were born from the partnerships between creative residents and our team. Our unique community culture is living proof: the Farmers Market, the Community Gardens, celebrating PRIDE and Juneteenth,  the Book Festival, and the Community Theater (just to name a few) grew from residents’ ideas that we worked together with to implement. Many of the residents who brought these ideas are the most active volunteers in town, they are the lifeblood that brings these amazing initiatives to life.

COMMITMENT TO ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY

Creating a more sustainable community and addressing climate change has been a priority for our team for decades, making Collingswood a recognized leader in these efforts. We were among the first in the region to earn Sustainable Jersey certification in 2013, a designation we continue to maintain through forward-thinking policies. As a Tree City USA, we recently adopted measures to protect and expand our tree canopy and continue securing grants to support green initiatives that build a more resilient future.

We take a comprehensive approach to sustainability, implementing the Connect 2020 Bike-Pedestrian Plan to improve walkability and bike safety. Collingswood was also the first town in Camden County to install public EV fast-charging stations and continues expanding its municipal EV fleet through grant funding. We recently launched a community solar program, giving residents access to clean energy and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.

Beyond infrastructure, we prioritize community engagement, supporting Green Team events, sustainable gardens, and cleanup efforts. Our Green Business Alliance encourages local businesses to adopt eco-friendly practices, and we are expanding fresh food access and equity through initiatives like SNAP and Good Food Bucks at our Farmers’ Market and Virtua’s year-round mobile market.

Through smart policies, environmental advocacy, and community-driven programs, Collingswood remains a leader in sustainability—protecting natural resources, fostering a green economy, and ensuring a healthier future for all.

BUILDING A SUPPORTIVE COMMUNITY

Collingswood’s strength lies in its diverse and inclusive community. We celebrate our differences, uplift one another, and stand in solidarity with residents on issues of social justice. For Team Collingswood, equity and inclusion aren’t just buzzwords—they are guiding principles reflected in real, measurable actions. We remain committed to fostering a welcoming environment for all through training, targeted support programs, and open, ongoing dialogue between residents, organizations, and local government.

Our approach is proactive and evolving. We prioritize community-driven policing, support social justice demonstrations, and work closely with community leaders to honor Juneteenth, Black History Month, Pride Month, and other cultural celebrations. We continue to expanded recreational and senior programming with direct input from families and volunteers, developed the Collingswood Resources website to connect residents with essential services, and hosted New Jersey Division on Civil Rights anti-bias trainings for both staff and the public. Additionally, we are partnering with resource agencies to expand support for vulnerable populations through future events and initiatives.

Equity, inclusion, and opportunity are not static goals—they are an ongoing commitment to ensuring that every resident feels valued, heard, and empowered in our community.

ENHANCING QUALITY OF LIFE FOR ALL 

Collingswood is well known for its exceptional quality of life, featuring a walkable downtown, abundant green space, diverse recreation opportunities, vibrant arts and culture, safe neighborhoods, a variety of housing options, and excellent public transit access. Team Collingswood is committed to maintaining and enhancing these high standards by expanding arts and cultural offerings, community programs, and recreational opportunities through a comprehensive Recreation Study guided by extensive community input.

We continue to invest in placemaking and the development of “third spaces”, such as the addition of a new pocket park in the heart of downtown coming this Spring. We are also improving bike and pedestrian infrastructure and creating new recreation programs for residents of all ages to enjoy. Additionally, we are working closely with our partners at the West Collingswood Revitalization Committee to enhance the West Collingswood business district through placemaking initiatives, cleanups, business support, and community events, ensuring this area thrives alongside our downtown.

For these reasons and more, Collingswood has been recognized by countless publications and organizations as “Where You Want to Be.”

PROVIDING RELIABLE & EFFICIENT SERVICES

Providing essential, everyday services is at the heart of Borough government, and Team Collingswood takes pride in delivering them efficiently and effectively. Whether addressing residents' concerns, ensuring public safety, or responding to extreme weather, we work tirelessly—often behind the scenes—to keep Collingswood running smoothly. Our commitment extends to maintaining critical infrastructure, including roads, public facilities, water and sewer systems, stormwater management, and community assets like Robert’s Pool. We also prioritize open communication, ensuring residents stay informed and connected.

Few towns go as far as Collingswood in providing municipal services and responding to community needs. In 2022, when the Borough’s trash hauler abruptly ended its contract, we swiftly reorganized the Department of Public Works, launched an in-house collection service, and secured a new hauler to prevent service disruptions—all within weeks. At the same time, we built a new Public Works facility, relocating operations outside the bustling downtown to enhance efficiency, improve service delivery, and make room for future improvements to the downtown area. 

Collingswood’s proactive approach ensures residents receive reliable, high-quality services—every day, in every neighborhood.

RESPONSIBLE FINANCIAL STEWARDSHIP

Team Collingswood is committed to responsible budgeting and smart financial planning, ensuring high-quality municipal services while keeping tax increases minimal despite rising costs. We strategically invest in aging infrastructure, including our public water system upgrades, road repairs, and facility improvements, while revitalizing properties and attracting new tax ratables to strengthen property values and lessen the burden on residents. 

We’ve invested in community assets like the Senior Community Center, shared Public Safety facility, and new Public Works facility in West Collingswood, while consistently exploring shared services and cost-saving partnerships to maximize efficiency. In 2025, we negotiated new contracts to attract and retain police and fire personnel, increasing public safety salaries by $1 million—a cost carefully managed to keep the annual tax increase at just $71 per household.

Through transparent communication and strategic investments, we continue to deliver premium services at a reasonable cost, helping to ensure a strong future for Collingswood.

FOSTERING A STRONG SMALL BUSINESS ECONOMY 

Collingswood is a nationally recognized model of small-town revitalization. Through a carefully planned, multi-pronged strategy, we transformed our downtown districts with initiatives such as property improvement grants for low-to-moderate-income families, downtown façade and streetscape enhancements, business attraction programs, redevelopment of vacant and dilapidated properties, green space improvements, and vibrant community events.

Our “renaissance” has been widely celebrated, with dozens of news and trade publications highlighting Collingswood’s transformation. Forbes even named us “One of the Most Transformed Communities” in the country. We have also earned recognition for having one of the best food scenes in the Delaware Valley—a distinction that began with a Borough-led Economic Development Conference that attracted restaurant owners to set up shop here.

However, revitalization is not a one-time achievement—it’s an ongoing effort. As economic landscapes shift, we remain focused on retaining and evolving our business community, ensuring that local entrepreneurs, restaurants, and shops continue to thrive. We are committed to adapting to new economic challenges, supporting businesses with resources and programming, and strengthening our districts to maintain Collingswood’s reputation as a vibrant and welcoming destination.

Collingswood’s success story is still being written, and we are dedicated to growing, reimagining, and strengthening our business districts for the future.