BY LORI ANNE OLIWA
Correspondent
OCEAN TOWNSHIP – – For the first time, there are no challengers for mayor or for council seats in the upcoming municipal election and Mayor William F. Larkin thinks that indicates residents are happy with the current administration.
“I am very proud to say that this is the first time that a regular municipal election has been uncontested in the history of the township,” Larkin told a candidates’ forum hosted by the Ocean Township Democratic Club April 19. “That highlights the quality of the leadership.”
Larkin, who was first elected to the council in 1991, also reminded residents about the stability of the tax-rate.
“There have been no increases for 12 years,” he said, crediting Township Manager David R. Kochel, who will be retiring on June 1 after 20 years of service, for that fiscal stability.
Ocean Township Democratic Club President Janice Robbins welcomed the candidates along with several dozen club members and residents who attended the forum for candidates in the May 8 election held at the township Recreation Center.
In an adjacent area of the building, the Monmouth County Republican Organization conducted a forum of its own.
Larkin, who was the first speaker of the night, joked that attendees should “see who has the best refreshments and decide which meeting to attend based on the quality of the desserts.”
Larkin and incumbent Councilman Christopher J. Siciliano were present along with first-time council candidate William J. Garofalo.
Deputy Mayor J. David Hiers and Councilwoman Donna L. Schepiga, also incumbents, could not attend, according to Larkin.
Garofalo, who served on the township Board of Education for 6 1¼2 years, is replacing Councilman Stuart A. Chavis on the ticket. Garofalo resigned from the school board in December. Chavis declined to seek another council term due to personal commitments.
Garofalo, in addition to his prior experience as president and vice-president of the township Board of Education, is also the chief financial officer of Manchester Township in Ocean County.
“I have broad experience and have managed a $32 million budget for the last 17 years in Manchester Township. I am also humbled and flattered to be running,” he said.
Garofalo also mentioned at the forum that he serves on three statewide commissions, all relating to insurance. He emphasized that he has saved
taxpayers lots of money by serving on the boards.
Siciliano, who has served on the council since July 2003 and is a Realtor by profession, addressed the crowd by lauding the services in the township.
“At any given time, there are at least 1,500 participants in the township’s recreation programs,” he said, adding, “I want to continue implementing new programs.”
Siciliano also mentioned that senior services will be expanded to include transportation. Larkin told attendees when introducing Siciliano, “I am grooming him to take over for me in four years.”
Larkin also discussed the possibility of shared services for policing and stated that the council would be “considering possibilities” in the future for agreements between Deal, Allenhurst and Loch Arbour.
“The problem with shared services would be the superior officers and overall hierarchy in the police departments. They all have their higher-ups, and this will be a challenge,” he said.
Larkin also mentioned that there are proposals from both Interlaken and West Long Branch to lease the municipal court in the township.
“This would prevent both municipalities from having to construct facilities of their own, while at the same time producing revenue for the township,” he said.
Several residents expressed concerns during the question and answer period. One resident mentioned problems with renters in the township.
“We are trying to keep renters respectful of the community,” Larkin stated, adding, “We have an officer patrolling on overtime in the area where the rentals are. Residents actually have his cell phone number in case they need to report something.”
Larkin emphasized that the number of complaints has decreased dramatically due to the officer on patrol and said, “The students are taking their parties elsewhere.”
Another attendee asked about a play-to-play ordinance and whether one existed in the township. Siciliano responded and stated that the township was one of the first municipalities to address the issue. Garofalo emphasized that the current ordinance “is one of the toughest ones I’ve seen. If you do business with the town, you cannot contribute at all,” he said.
State Senate candidate for the 11th District John Villapiano also attended the event, but declined to speak.
“I am happy to be here among friends, but I don’t want to steal anyone’s thunder,” he stated.
Attendees were urged to vote on May 8.

