Troy leaders share goals for the new year

TROY — Many people make resolutions for the new year, and city officials are no exception. Several of Troy’s leaders shared what they would like to accomplish by the end of 2023.

Troy Mayor Ethan Baker said his No. 1 priority in the new year is to maintain public safety goals in Troy.

He said there is a lot to look forward to in 2023 for the city of Troy, citing safety and security through the city’s police, fire, EMS and public works services.

He added that he is looking forward to new city resources and continuing to put the COVID-19 pandemic in the rearview mirror.

“This year we expect to open the new ice skating rink and outdoor pavilion at the Troy Civic Center, something our community has asked for for over 20 years, and I am extremely excited about its construction and opening!” Baker wrote. “As we put the effects of COVID behind us, it will be important in 2023 to look at the long term financial health of the city and plan for Troy’s future. I hope to accomplish that planning and goal-setting with fellow council members and city staff in 2023.”

Troy Fire Chief Peter Hullinger said growing his staff so the city can maintain the strong level of firefighting services it has had in the past is among his chief objectives in 2023.

“The big thing in our department is that we’re the largest in the county, and we’re an all volunteer department. Our priority then is keeping our staff up. Recruitment is our biggest goal,” he said. “We want to continue to train all of our people and stay up on all the latest techniques and learn to adapt to new issues.”

Troy Police Chief Frank Nastasi also wants to focus on staffing issues, but also singled out accreditation and departmental cooperation as among his primary aims in the new year.

“For 2023 I look forward to the Troy Police Department continuing to provide professional police service to our community,” Nastasi said. “We will be working hard to complete the (Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police) accreditation program and evolving our partnership with Oakland Community Health Network to support the Co-Responder program. We also will be focusing on recruiting and hiring high quality police officers and support staff to ensure a bright future for the Troy Police Department.”

Troy School District Superintendent Richard Machesky said a major goal for 2023 in the district is reaching out and partnering with the community more, as well as throwing a spotlight on many of the district’s graduates.

“One goal for 2023 is to continue to expand world class learning opportunities for our students, through partnerships with the business community and experts in our area,” Machesky said in an email. “We also look forward to engaging with residents, staff and students as we embark on future planning around bond work as well as identifying the key characteristics and skills that make up a Troy School District graduate in our Portrait of a Graduate project.”

Troy Public Library Director Emily Dumas said there are a number of projects they want to work on in 2023.

“I really want to continue increasing our usage numbers (patron visits, circulation, program attendance, etc.), aiming to return to pre-COVID statistics,” she said in an email. “Realistically, this may take more than one year as Troy had incredibly high usage prior to COVID, but we’re seeing steady increases each day and have been very busy. My goal is for us to continue this upward trend by offering the best in service to our patrons and responding to the community’s needs.”

She singled out a new strategic plan and the library’s bookmobile project.

“My major project over the next year is to put together a strategic plan for the library. These plans typically cover 3-5 years, creating both short-term and long-term goals that drive the library’s future. I want to solicit public feedback during this process to help determine our goals,” Dumas wrote. “A major fundraising initiative I’m hoping to see completed this year is our bookmobile project. TPL is in need of a bookmobile to make deliveries of materials to homebound residents, provide a library presence at events, and make regular visits to schools, places of worship, and community organizations around town to spread library services to all corners of Troy. Through a generous (donation) of $150,000 we are most of the way there, and the community has been very supportive in the latest appeal.”

Olivia McLaughlin, the executive director of the Troy Community Foundation, would like to find new community partners for the organization so they can continue the growth they’ve been seeing for the foundation.

“This year, I’d like to grow the exposure and awareness about what the Troy Community Foundation does, especially with regards to our endowments,” she said in an email. “Any organization or family can start one for $10,000, and I’d definitely like to add some new corporate partners to support Troy Family Daze,” she continued. “Also, the Troy Community Foundation board would like to focus on expanding the reach of our giving in 2023 and beyond, either through support of additional local charities or through placemaking partnerships in Troy.”