Editor’s Note: This is the second in a two-part series. For more on Helmetta’s election, see page 30.
HELMETTA — The borough’s race toward Election Day heated up when two Democratic candidates took aim at the current administration, and an incumbent fired back.
Democrat Tom Reid, a nine-year former councilman looking to return, focused mainly on what he sees as a lack of accountability and wasteful spending on the part of elected officials. Gregory Bennett, a fellow Democratic candidate, shared a number of Reid’s views.
“There are no checks and balances right now,” Bennett said in reference to the People’s Voice Party-controlled council.
Councilman Andrew Tancredi is the lone Democrat on the council, and is running for re-election alongside Bennett and Reid. He could not be reached for comment.
Independent incumbent Sewell Peckham refuted claims made by the Democrats. His running mates also could not be reached for comment.
Reid pointed out issues he has with the public works department, saying it is one area in which tax dollars are being spent imprudently.
“If Mr. Reid has concerns of misuse of borough time, there are procedures in place to address concerns from residents,” said Mayor Nancy Martin, an independent with the People’s Voice Party.
Peckham said the administration has kept municipal taxes under control, and they have done a good job in terms of using funds for various purposes throughout the borough.
Bennett noted that the town’s sewer costs increased this year, without any explanation as to why. He said no work has been done on the water or sewer lines, and officials should be upfront with residents regarding the increase.
In other areas, both Democrats said the current administration is not accountable to residents. When public questions are raised by taxpayers at council meetings, they often do not receive answers from officials, they said.
“You work for the people,” Bennett said. “And if I have a question, I should get an answer. We’re looking to get accountability from our elected officials.”
The two Democrats also said the independents always vote together, and there is a lack of debate among council members on important issues. They cited the proposed replacement of Police Chief Cully Lewis with a public safety director, a move supported by the mayor and all the independent council members last year. Despite majority support, the council ultimately did not approve the change and opted for a different approach.
Bennett pointed out that at both meetings when the subject was addressed, officials declined to answer questions from a packed house of residents.
“When you don’t get anything done, you stop going [to meetings],” Reid said of low attendance rates by the public.
Another issue raised by both Bennett and Reid centered on the former snuff mill. They criticized Martin for switching redevelopers five years ago and saying during her campaign that she would get things done there within five years.
“With respect to the redeveloper, the Democratic candidates would be sleeping if they have not realized the state of the economy and the housing market throughout the United States,” Martin said. “Our redeveloper is just as anxious to get moving as we are to have them move. They have obtained many of their approvals, and once financing becomes available and the housing market turns, this project will continue.”
The Democrats pointed out that the housing market and economy were not in bad shape five years ago. They said no work beyond the razing of buildings has been done at the site, and that is unacceptable.
“I haven’t seen the plan, but I’m sure it doesn’t call for stagnation for as long as it has been stagnant,” Bennett said. “I’m sure there’s no clause saying, ‘providing the housing market stays strong.’ ”
Adding insult to injury is the way the site has been left, Reid said. He pointed out partially downed construction fencing, which does not surround portions of the site completely; a drop-off he said poses a hazard; broken windows left unboarded in violation of a borough ordinance; and scattered debris.
“It looks like a ghetto when you drive through,” Reid said. “I honestly think a kid … is going to get hurt bad, and then they’ll wake up and do something.”
According to Peckham, the mill site is being kept up by the redeveloper on a “needto” basis, and has been kept up to par.
“When they are advised of certain problems, they are very good about addressing them,” Peckham said.
He went on to say that fencing cannot be all-encompassing, because police have to have access to the site, and the only hazard posed there is when youths break into the buildings illegally.
“There’s nothing in the world that’s going to stop that,” Peckham said.

