By Audrey Levine Staff Writer
HILLSBOROUGH — With the economy slowing and heading into a recession, the four candidates for Hillsborough’s Township Committee see municipal spending and taxes as crucial issues, and all agree that keeping taxes down, while maintaining a high level of services, is a top priority.
Republican incumbent Mayor Anthony Ferrera, Democrats Matt Dawson and Manny Foranoce, and Republican Gloria McCauley are running for two three-year seats on the Township Committee.
Aside from the steps already taken to try and keep taxes low, Mayor Ferrera said, the township will have to continue to reduce debt, of which the town is already down by $1.8 million. In addition, he said, the township has reduced the number of employees. As of 2008, there are 162 employees, versus the 173 in 2001.
”We will (continue to) look at per capita funding,” he said.
Ms. McCauley agreed that it is important to keep the spending down, but she wants to ensure that residents are not deprived of services they have always enjoyed.
”I wouldn’t want to see anything cut,” she said.
Mr. Foranoce said there are other areas where the township could cut spending to reduce the $27.9 million budget.
”They did the best they could, but still raised the budget 3.6 percent,” he said. “Now we don’t have the money, and we need to tighten our belts.”
Mr. Foranoce said he noticed several areas that could be cut, including unnecessary maintenance and pensions for part-time employees.
Mr. Dawson expressed a similar opinion about possible cuts, including fewer replacements of vehicles and increasing shared services.
”How often should the cars be replaced?” he asked. “I think we’ve been buying very premium, but we can get more life out of our equipment.”
As for shared services, Mr. Dawson said, working with other local Emergency Medical Services might be beneficial to the town to lessen Hillsborough’s costs.
Mr. Dawson said he is against the township’s lawsuit seeking the removal of mercury stored at the Defense Logistics Agency facility on the VA depot property.
”It is a complex issue and we will need to focus on setting up meetings with congressmen and other agencies,” he said. “But research says a township can’t sue the federal government.”
Mr. Dawson said that no contract has been breached in the mercury not being removed, so a lawsuit would not be a viable way of removing it from Hillsborough.
”We are trying to throw money and pray we get a result,” he said.
Mr. Dawson said he supports moving forward with the Town Center plan to a create a pedestrian-friendly center of town, approves of the Route 206 bypass to provide for commuter traffic, and would like to seek funds to better restore Duke Farms.
”The green space gives the community character,” he said.
Mayor Ferrera said one of his goals is to speak out against the state’s affordable housing plan and the third-round regulations handed down by the Council on Affordable Housing (COAH).
”We are doing everything we can to minimize the numbers,” he said. “The COAH plan is just ridiculous.”
As far as other plans, Mayor Ferrera said, he would like to continue building the Senior Center in the former library of the municipal building, possibly create a Cultural Day for the town and continue offering recreation programs for children.
Mayor Ferrera said he is hoping to make Camp HEART a traditional summer program for children with and without disabilities a full-day program, instead of just the three hours it currently offers.
”We have 1,600 special needs children in town,” he said. “I want to be an advocate for them.”
Mayor Ferrera said he would like to work more with the business community to provide necessary services.
”Before me, there was no business advocate,” he said. “I would like to expand on the programs (and) we want to keep bringing in ratables.”
Like Mr. Dawson, Mr. Foranoce said he is against the lawsuit filed to get the mercury out of the township, though he would like to get rid of it as soon as possible.
”We wanted the mercury leaving five years ago,” he said. “But there is a law in place that prevents municipalities from suing the government. And we don’t have a case because the government did not put anything in writing.”
Instead of moving forward with an actual lawsuit, Mr. Foranoce said, it would be beneficial for township representatives to speak directly to government officials in Washington to move the project forward and get the mercury out of Hillsborough and to Nevada.
Mr. Foranoce said he wants to make it easier for business owners to develop their markets and maintain Hillsborough as a great place to live.
”I’ve no political agenda,” he said. “I just want to do what’s best for the town.”
For Ms. McCauley, her most important goal is to create greater environmental awareness, and begin the use of green technology, including windmills and solar panels.
”I want to bring this to the forefront, with preserving farmland and open space, and making people aware of how to recycle,” she said.
She also would like to see more outdoor opportunities for residents, including bicycle trails and a recreational facility. She said she supports the creation of the Town Center, which would provide outdoor walking paths for residents and discourage them from having to drive to all different businesses.
”I would love to see the use of land for greenways to walk and bike around town,” she said.
Ms. McCauley said she also wants to make sure that Duke Farms is maintained and open for residents.
”I think there is a great use of the land at Duke Farms,” she said. “It is so unique, and I would hate to see it destroyed in any way.”
Ms. McCauley said she would also like to deal with the traffic burden in town. She said overdevelopment is always an issue.
Ms. McCauley said she agrees with the Township Committee’s decision to move forward with the mercury lawsuit.
”I’m sure it was a last resort,” she said. “We know the mercury’s there, but we really don’t think about it. But (we all) want the mercury out.”
Elections will be held Nov. 4.

