by Sean Ruppert, Staff Writer
Democratic incumbents and their Republican challengers for Township Council share a similar philosophy on planning issues, saying residential development should be limited to prevent overburdening schools.
They also said they are concerned about new state rules that could increase affordable housing requirements in town.
Three Democrats and two Republicans are vying for three, four-year seats on the council in the Nov. 4 election.
Incumbent Democratic Carol Barrett, Joseph Camarota and Charles Carley will defend their seats against first-time Republican candidates John O’Sullivan and Steven Walrond. The Republicans have until Wednesday to add a third candidate to the ballot.
Mr. Carley, who is seeking his second term, pointed to the Democrats’ record since gaining control of the governing body in 1997 as a positive.
”Since we’ve been the majority, we’ve had a couple of swings at the Master Plan,” Mr. Carley said. “We did a big overhaul and had some amendments since.”
Mr. Carley, who works as an engineer for Delaware Raritan Engineering and also sits on the Planning Board, said the Democrats have expanded active adult communities, which have created a ratable for the township without adding to the school population. He also pointed to a change in the permitted uses of the I-3 zone near N.J. Turnpike Exit 8A to allow for offices as well as warehouses.
”Some of the buildings there have become outmoded for warehouse use. By changing the zones we were able to market the area for high-tech research and development.”
Mr. Carley, of Paul Avenue, said the zone change allowed for companies like Aurobindo Pharmaceuticals and Infragistics Software to move into town.
Mr. O’Sullivan, of Wexford Drive, said that he thinks future commercial development should be confined to the Exit 8A area, and that additional warehousing should be encouraged. He also said that more senior housing presents a good ratable that would minimize the burden on the schools.
Mr. O’Sullivan, a semi-retired consultant for security management companies, said he would like to have Master Plan meetings throughout the community regularly to get an idea of what the town is looking for.
”To balance the needs of the community with the goals of the property owners, I’m proposing learning the needs and goals through mid-Master Plan meetings to be held within the South Brunswick communities,” he said. “That way the planners and council members can understand the pulse of the town.”
Mr. O’Sullivan previously served on the South Brunswick Environmental Commission and the South Brunswick-Jamesburg Taskforce.
Ms. Barrett, of Mahogany Drive, said she wants to be aggressive in acquiring open space parcels, including securing the Van Dyke Farm on Davidsons Mill Road.
”We’re interested in buying parcels in all areas of town,” she said. “They don’t need to be developed.”
She said the township should bring in more senior housing. That way, residents looking to move into smaller homes don’t have to leave South Brunswick.
Ms. Barrett has been on the council since 1999, and is the former president of the Middlesex County Association of Federal, State, County and Municipal Employees union.
Mr. Walrond, a retired South Brunswick police officer, wants to take a pragmatic approach to future development.
”We need a plan for five, 10, 15 and 20 years down the line,” said Mr. Walrond, who lives on Erin Court. “We have to find a way to grow as a community without hurting ourselves. I think we are a little helter-skelter right now.”
Mr. Camarota, of Brittney Way, said he would like to continue to see open space acquisition used as a means of controlling development, as well adding senior communities that will not burden the schools. He also said the town should continue to try to attract high-tech businesses through the Einstein’s Alley initiative, spearheaded by U.S. Rep. Rush Holt..
”Land use is a quality of life issue,” said Mr. Camarota, who works as a consultant for Amusement Entertainment Management. “Our goal is to continue to slow down and control development so that our infrastructure keeps up.”
Mr. Camarota, who is seeking his second term, also pointed to the renovation of the community center and the addition on the library as ways the all-Democratic council has kept up with the growth in the township. He said that they may begin to look at the senior center for improvements next.
All the candidates were especially concerned about affordable housing regulations, and the effect they might have on taxpayers as development continues.
”We just can’t make any plans until we know ‘here’s what you have to do,’” Mr. Camarota said.
Mr. O’Sullivan said the township needs to fight the changes.
”We need to aggressively pressure COAH to provide less burdensome requirements,” Mr. O’Sullivan said, referring to the state Council on Affordable Housing, which sets affordable-housing requirements for every community.

