At stake: Two three-year terms on the Borough Council
* indicates incumbent
Have Milltown officials done enough to preserve and promote the borough’s old-fashioned appeal?
Kevin M. Bosworth
The officials have done enough to preserve and promote the borough’s old-fashioned appeal. The council is presently addressing the issue of the development of properties containing the older buildings in Milltown, and created the Milltown Revitalization Committee to help promote the maintenance of the businesses on Main Street. The council is presently looking into the creation of a historic commission, but much of the old-fashioned appeal is in the attitude of our residents, and the way problems are treated and resolved.
John Collins
No, I had proposed for an ordinance to be done for a Historical Preservation Committee in June 2006. I did not receive a second. Now a developer is trying to receive approval to demolish the Forney House. A committee or commission should be formed to preserve what is left of the old buildings in Milltown to keep the charm.
Randy Farkas
The Borough Council has done nothing to preserve the small-town atmosphere that has become synonymous with Milltown. In order to preserve our historic buildings, we need to form a historic committee to work hand in hand with those that plan to build in the borough, as it relates to buildings that might have some historical significance. We must, at all costs, try to preserve as much of our heritage as possible.
Gary Walters
To a degree, yes. Can more be done? Sure. The zoning and planning boards review building plans and recommend improvements that do help keep Milltown’s image. To keep Main Street’s old-fashioned appeal, I would like to have it mandatory, not optional, that any new business construction or major renovations conform to a set of building requirements so the structure resembles turn-of-the-century architecture. Other communities have such requirements, therefore so can Milltown. Forming a historical preservation committee will also help by identifying structures that may want to be preserved and to seek available grants to purchase them.
Do you support the present plans for the redevelopment of Ford Avenue, and why or why not?
Kevin M. Bosworth
Yes, I support the plans for the redevelopment of Ford Avenue. The most pressing issue for the majority of the residents is taxes. Ford Avenue is the only area available for significant development. An RFP (request for proposal) was published for the redevelopment, allowing for a variety of options. All the responses were for housing, none for industrial or commercial development. By making it high-density and age-restricted, we can maximize the tax benefit and minimize the impact on our school system, which generates 60 to 65 percent of our tax liability. This development will generate an additional $1.1 million in tax revenue.
John Collins
I support the current plans for the environmental cleanup. But, the housing market has gone soft and I feel that it’s essential that a market evaluation be done to assess the demand for all these housing units as well as the commercial buildings. A lot of the residents support more commercial and open space, and I would like for there to be something done there in a responsible manner for our residents.
Randy Farkas
As a member of the Planning Board, I need to keep an open mind about the redevelopment of Ford Avenue. I have reviewed the site plans for the proposed redevelopment and have some concerns. As a resident, I’m not happy with the number of housing units proposed. I feel the density is too high, and that Milltown can ill afford the residual effects from this many housing units, such as increased traffic on Main Street and the surrounding areas, and overburdening our police, fire and emergency service personnel.
Gary Walters
I support the redevelopment of Ford Avenue, as this will generate new tax revenues. The site has been a safety hazard, environmental threat, eyesore and an area in need of redevelopment far too long. A combination of senior housing, age-restricted units and professional/commercial buildings will provide a good mix. The developer’s agreement to donate $1 million towards a new firehouse is a step in the right direction, but not enough. The proposed number of age-restricted units needs to be reduced, and we need to ensure the entire area, including Mill Pond, is cleaned up.
What can be done to improve the quality of life for Milltown residents?
Kevin M. Bosworth
The two major issues we face in Milltown are taxes and speeding. We can reduce or control taxes by moving ahead with the Ford Avenue project and promoting shared services. The speeding issue is more complex and we are looking at a variety of traffic calming solutions. The key to improving the quality of life is to continue to improve municipal services and responding to residents’ concerns.
John Collins
To be able to keep taxes as low as possible, as I tried to do when I voted the tax increase down this year. I would also like to aggressively pursue interlocal agreements with other towns for goods and services, to be able to cut costs. The quality of life can be improved greatly by continuing with the cleanup of the Ford Avenue site. It is long overdue and must be completed before anything can even be considered to be built there. I also want to make sure that the volunteers of this town are supported in order to best serve the residents of Milltown.
Randy Farkas
The biggest impact on the quality of life to the residents of Milltown is taxes. Once again, we are burdened with a tax increase. This time, it is a 3-point increase. The residents of Milltown must demand that their elected officials be fiscally responsible and cut unnecessary spending whenever and wherever possible. This being said, taxes in Milltown have risen 12 percent over the last three years. In this year’s budget, the surplus was increased approximately 40 percent over last year’s surplus amount.
Gary Walters
To me, it’s more like maintaining the quality of life we now enjoy. Services the town offers are excellent, from our emergency services to our public works; they are all working everyday to keep our town a safe, clean and pleasant place to live. Our playgrounds have some of the newest equipment, and children have an opportunity to participate in any of the numerous activities offered by the recreation department. One area that may need improvement would be to enforce speeding laws in town, especially the major bypass roads and pedestrian crosswalk designated areas on Main Street.
Why should people elect you on Nov. 7?
Kevin M. Bosworth
People should elect me because of my experience. I have served 12 years on council, the last five as chairman of finances, administration and planning. We have been able to greatly limit the tax increases during that time. At the same time, we have maintained municipal services and have made significant improvements to our infrastructure and in the building permit department and code enforcement offices. We have also continued to improve technology within the borough, and communication with our citizens.
John Collins
If I am elected I will always put the best interest of Milltown residents first. I will never be afraid to ask questions and I will always listen to what the residents have to say. I will continue to use my accounting skills to help oversee the budgeting process and expenditures of the borough. I will continue to look for ways to keep taxes down and be fiscally responsible.
Randy Farkas
As someone with a long history of community involvement, I believe the residents of Milltown perceive me as a candidate who will be an advocate for those who want their voice to be heard. I, unlike my opponents, do not have a political agenda. I answer to my conscience and I am driven by my conviction that one person can make a difference. What I offer to the residents is honesty, integrity and accountability. The residents should demand that their elected officials exhibit these traits, as well as a willingness to act in their best interest. The actions of the Borough Council over the past year say otherwise.
Gary Walters
If you’re looking for a candidate who has an open mind, is willing to listen to suggestions (knowing we will not agree on all issues), weigh all of the options, and will make an independent decision that is best for the town, then I’m your candidate. When I previously served as your councilman, that was my style then, and I do not see that changing. My commitment to Milltown, if elected, is to listen, be fair, keep all residents in mind on issues that come before the council, and most of all be an independent voice on the council.