Millstone Township candidates Greg Bellotti and John Pfefferkorn have different views on development.
By: Scott Morgan
MILLSTONE Greg Bellotti and John Pfefferkorn both say development will play a role in the future of the township, but the two are split over how it should be handled.
Mr. Bellotti, a Republican, and Mr. Pfefferkorn, an Independent, are vying for the single seat to be left vacant by out-going Committeeman Bill Kastning, a Republican. They are the only remaining candidates because Democrat Michael Scotto recently bowed out of the race. Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 6.
Mr. Bellotti says development of commercial ratables is the only way to offset the costs associated with township growth. As the township grows, so does the pressure placed on the township’s resources; additional resources, such as schools or recreation areas, come with a price tag, he said.
Rather than place the financial burden on taxpayers, he said, expanding the township’s business base is critical.
"Right now, out of the $22 million (Millstone) receives in revenue, only $900,000 is from (commercial) ratables," Mr. Bellotti said. Without more income from business property, any expenditure would raise residential taxes, he said.
While Mr. Pfefferkorn agrees taxes are at their stress point, he contends overdevelopment ultimately will only compound the township’s problems. He said he is not against development itself, but rather against overdevelopment, which will throw the township out of financial balance.
Simply "developing" the problem away will not work, he said.
"There are not enough big ratables and not enough corridor lots to put (new ratables) on," Mr. Pfefferkorn said.
Given that the most likely areas to develop business within the township would be at its edges specifically Route 537 near the Jackson border and along Route 33 Mr. Pfefferkorn said the need to look at environmental factors also is crucial. He pointed to stressed aquifers near Route 537 and environmentally sensitive areas along Route 33.
Mr. Bellotti insisted his plan is to develop a commercial base that will not have a negative impact on the township. He said his plan would involve "clean, 9-to-5 business offices" and not any operation requiring heavy trucks or other details associated with large industrial growth.
Although Mr. Bellotti admitted there are "not a whole lot of areas" that can support development, he said the key is to develop those that can support businesses, and develop them properly.
He said he hopes to enable his plan through the revival of the Economic Development Commission, originally formed as an advisory board that would gauge the impact of growth and development within the township. Though the EDC officially was created in 1994, it has been an entity in name only. Mr. Bellotti said he wants to revive the commission as a way to guide development over the next three years and into the future.
He said he wants to appoint a "very diverse group" to the commission, which will market Millstone to businesses.
Mr. Pfefferkorn said he was "not for development the way the township has tried to do it." He added he wants to tighten existing laws and enforce environmental laws to keep developers from "running the township" so that the area’s rural nature can be maintained.
Beyond overdevelopment, a major point of contention for Mr. Pfefferkorn is the township government itself. He said, "I am not happy with the political system. The developers support the Millstone Coalition and the Millstone Coalition supports the Township Committee."
He added he is unhappy that Mr. Bellotti is a member of the Millstone Coalition. The group also backed successful campaigns by Democrat Bill Nurko and Republican Evan Maltz.
Mr. Bellotti, who served as the treasurer from 1999-2001 of the Millstone Coalition, a nonpartisan political organization, stepped down due to conflict of interest. Mr. Pfefferkorn feels Mr. Bellotti still is a member. Mr. Bellotti said he continues to attend coalition meetings, but has no official capacity.
This is the first time either candidate is running for Township Committee.
Mr. Bellotti, who has an academic background in law, corporate law and legislation, said he feels he is the better candidate. He said he has worked on Wall Street, developing business plans and providing financial management for such celebrities as Michael Jordan and the late Gene Siskel.
He said he feels he is capable of formulating and maintaining a financial plan for the township that will provide both stability and growth.
Mr. Pfefferkorn said his 25 years of experience in cost accounting and management including his current stint as director of costing for Tiffany & Co. qualifies him to sit on the committee.
"I’m an honest guy who supports the people and not political action committees like the Millstone Coalition," he said. He added he feels he can honestly make a difference, though he never thought he would be running.
"I felt someone needed to step up to the plate," he said.