Managing Partner Michael Wildes, who is also serving his fifth term as mayor of Englewood, New Jersey, recently delivered his annual State of the City address. Below is a transcript of Mayor Wildes’ address.
Good evening, members of the City Council, community partners and residents. I wish you a Happy and Healthy New Year.
It is my honor to present to you the State of the City. 2025 has been a year of progress, collaboration, resilience, and planning for our shared future. In 2025 a number of significant events, achievements, challenges, and initiatives were held, completed or implemented.
Englewood stands as a model of diversity, economic resilience, and cultural richness—distinctive qualities that define who we are and how we advance together. These traits make us better and stronger as we face the challenges of the mid 2020’s and beyond.
The Englewood Community
Englewood is home to approximately 30,000 residents. It is anticipated that our population will increase as new housing units are built. Our population reflects a multicultural tapestry, enriched by residents from all walks of life and backgrounds. Nearly half of the households speak a language other than English at home. Vigilance is required to recognize the changing needs of our residents, while engaging in smart planning for the future. I’m proud to say that our Governing Body and staff do an excellent job of honoring the legacy of this City while preparing for the innovations of tomorrow.
We celebrate in a community where children, families, professionals, and seniors all contribute to the social and economic vitality of our city. Englewood’s spirit extends beyond census data. It lives in our streetscapes, in the diversity of our houses of worship, in local events and events where we are immersed in each other’s cultures, and in the pride with which residents help one another.
Celebrating Our Community
Englewood is a place where diversity is celebrated, and community engagement thrives. We are a city where people of all backgrounds, ages, and cultures come together to contribute to the common good.
Englewood has a robust array of cultural, religious, educational, and other events that allow all of us to share the experiences of the amazing people that make our city so special. Through various City departments, our Englewood Public Library, and a myriad of community organizations, there’s always something happening here to enrich our lives through interaction with each other.
Local clubs such as Englewood Rotary organized service projects including the Mackay Park cleanup mobilizing volunteers to beautify public spaces and contribute to environmental stewardship.
The local arts and culture scene was enriched by wonderful performances, and community gatherings that engaged residents of all ages. The Bergen PAC Performing Arts School in Englewood proudly hosted scores of events, drawing talented students and families from across the region showcasing the arts as an essential part of our community fabric.
Annual traditions continue to unite us and attract visitors from our neighboring communities. For the second year in a row the award-winning Night Market brought live music, family entertainment, and local vendors to downtown, fostering small business visibility and community joy. We look forward to the biggest ever Englewood Night Market in July.
I take great pride in having hosted more than five- full years of virtual “Coffee with the Mayor” sessions highlighting all things Englewood during our weekly broadcasts. This provides another method for our residents to reach out and learn about our services.
Community Service
In 2025, Englewood continued to distinguish itself not just by strategic planning and economic development, but by the engagement of its residents in service to one another. Across neighborhoods and organizations, thousands of volunteer hours strengthened our social fabric and provided vital support to our most vulnerable residents.
In 2025, Englewood’s diversity was not just a statistical truth–it was a lived reality reflected in cultural celebrations, civic participation, grassroots collaboration, and programs that welcomed every voice. Many of our Public and Private schools hosted events that honored our heritage demonstrating a collective commitment to inclusion, understanding, and belonging.
These initiatives strengthened our city socially as well as culturally, reaffirming that in Englewood, diversity is a source of strength and community engagement is a defining feature of civic life.
We continue to support initiatives that make Englewood a safe, inclusive, and family-friendly city. From youth recreation programs and arts events at regional venues to conservation of open space and community-centered services, we are creating opportunities for all residents to thrive.
Through organizations such as the Center for Food Action, local volunteers have played a crucial role in addressing food insecurity. Community members from high school students to senior citizens committed hours sorting, packing, and distributing food to families in need, ensuring that nearly 200 families per day can access essential groceries at its Englewood site.
This October, we saw the best of Englewood. Our emergency food drive at City Hall and the SESCIL Center collected enough food to support hundreds of families affected by the SNAP program shutdown, ensuring that the rising cost of living does not result in hunger for our neighbors.
The Englewood Health Department sponsored multiple community support initiatives in 2025, including Community Support Days that helped with public benefit applications such as NJ Family Care and SNAP, as well as free Mental Health First Aid courses available to both adults and youth. These programs expanded access to critical resources and empowered residents with knowledge and support tools.
Our community engagement also emphasizes age-friendly inclusive support systems for all residents. Programs like “Spring into Wellness,” jointly hosted by the City’s Health Department and Department of Parks & Recreation, encouraged residents to participate in health-focused challenges and activities that welcomed people of all ages and abilities. Senior programs — including informational sessions hosted by Bergen County that highlighted County services — reinforced Englewood’s commitment to inclusivity across our lifespan. I am most excited over our recent efforts to build an Englewood Community Center at the Liberty School site that will truly meet Englewood’s current and future needs.
Investing in Infrastructure and City Services
The quality of life of our residents is of utmost importance. We strive to continuously improve communication, municipal services and public safety that make Englewood such an inviting place to be.
In February 2025, we launched the “My Englewood NJ” mobile app, a citywide communication platform that empowers residents with timely updates, event notifications, and essential municipal information right at their fingertips. This tool has improved our ability to connect with residents efficiently and transparently, enhancing civic engagement and accessibility for all neighborhoods.
Englewood led the State this year as the first municipality to deploy two Mack electric garbage trucks. We’ve effectively reduced our carbon footprint while keeping our Wards clean with the latest in green technology. Our DPW municipal garbage and recycling transfer station will soon be back online. Its equipment has been repaired or upgraded and is in the process of being tested. When back online, it will save the city significant sums of money and staff time that can be redeployed to storm water management and flood mitigation needs.
We have continued to improve pedestrian safety measures with new crosswalks and turn signals at key locations and began the process of codifying rules for the growing usage of Electronic Scooters and Bicycles.
In 2025, the city continued its multi-year effort to reduce or eliminate flooding that has historically plagued our lowest-elevation neighborhoods through smart storm water management. We have received a $1 million grant in New Jersey’s 2026 budget to continue regional efforts to combat flooding and erosion. In this respect, the City Council should now focus on developing Ordinances for me to sign consistent with the Master Plan we recently adopted.
Economic Performance, Development, and Public Safety
Our local economy continued to strengthen in 2025. Englewood benefits from a diversified employment base, with education, healthcare, retail trade, and food services among the leading sectors. Englewood’s strategic location near New York City, combined with the presence of leading healthcare institutions, adds stability and growth potential for the local job market.
I have welcomed scores of new businesses this past year cutting many red ribbons. We have been consistent and proactive in supporting small businesses downtown and throughout our city, expanding our business appeal with unique eateries, boutiques, and cultural venues that draw patrons from across the region and strengthen our tax base.
In December, we began the rollout of modernized parking kiosks in our Central Business District. This transition to a “Smart City” model makes it easier for visitors to shop at our local businesses while providing the city with more accurate parking data and revenue.
We continue to work as a “business-friendly” City in this fast-changing global climate. Englewood continues to be a destination for startup businesses, as we see both a steady stream of ribbon-cuttings and a flow of customers from within and outside our city patronizing our many businesses. We must protect our warehouse and industrial spaces so that startup companies have a place to work in, grow and prosper. We have been proactive in working to create a sustainable ecosystem where our entrepreneurs can thrive in a digital-first world.
Public safety, parks and recreation, healthcare access, and educational quality: all remain top priorities. Our families deserve spaces that reflect the beauty of our city. In 2025, the city in partnership with Rutgers University finalized and accepted a comprehensive 16-month study that now serves as our roadmap for investing in every park and playground in Englewood. We have opened new inclusive playground facilities at multiple locations.
Supported by Green Acres and “Jake’s Law” funding as well as a $403,000 grant from the State Department of Transportation, we have begun the transformation of Denning Park into a flagship of active and passive recreation activities including inclusive play areas, ensuring every child in Englewood—regardless of ability or disability has a place to thrive.
We have also prioritized strengthening public services and safety. This administration has been committed to providing funding and staffing to ensure our public safety personnel have all resources and training needed to be safe and empathetic while protecting our community. I want to thank our Englewood Police Chief Tom Greely and Fire Chief Jeff Kaplan, along with every member of our public safety community for their dedication and vigilance. Again, kudos to our City Manager for filling in our ranks and making promotions to insure experienced supervision. This effort is in part successful because of the partnerships we maintain. To name a few, in November, alongside Congressman Josh Gottheimer, we announced a monumental $662,784 federal investment for the Englewood Fire Department for staffing and training. Additionally, we have seen growing interest in our Special Needs Registry. When rolled out– this vital database allows our Emergency Services professionals to know, before they even arrive on a scene, if a resident has a condition like autism or dementia that might affect their interaction with emergency services. It’s this kind of effort and planning that makes our public safety services here in Englewood truly the best.
Municipal Finances
When we think about the state of our city, obviously one of the greatest questions will be our finances. In the past year, the city has advanced key municipal initiatives behind the strong leadership of our City Manager Robert Hoffmann, in conjunction with our entire municipal workforce, City Council, and other partners. Our financial standing has improved, signaled by a credit rating upgrade. It reaffirms that our financial practices are indeed responsible, and expands opportunities for future capital projects and fiscal stability.
2025 began with a resounding validation of our management. We entered 2025 with a Standard & Poor’s credit rating upgrade to AA. This isn’t just a letter on a page; it is a tool that has already begun saving our taxpayers money on every capital project we undertake. We continue to balance the scales—building a necessary surplus to protect us from the “rainy days” that climate change, Federal government policy changes such as tariffs which affect approved short- and long-term plans and other unfunded mandates continue to be imposed on us. We also anticipate the implementation of our well thought out Cannabis Ordinance will provide additional revenue for the city in 2026 and beyond.
Conclusion
The state of our city at this moment is one of progress rooted in purpose. I can say as Englewood’s longest serving mayor: we are meeting our challenges with determination, building on our strengths, and shaping a future that embodies opportunity for every resident.
Strategic infrastructure, community engagement, cultural celebration, and economic opportunity must remain squarely in our vision. As 2026 begins we are mindful of our responsibilities to every resident, every business, and every neighborhood. With the pandemic in our rear-view mirror– will continue to improve our Office of Emergency Management capability and work with partners to ensure that all residents and businesses are protected to the best of our ability.
We stand united in vision and action: building a city that is prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and reflective of the promise of ALL of its people. Let us continue to work together to ensure that Englewood remains a place we are proud to call home.