Committee needs more discussion, transparency

By: centraljersey.com
Under the current governing Township Committee, information flow to the public is highly selective, decisions often appear to have been made before the meetings and many public statements are pre-scripted and rehearsed. When residents disagree, have concerns or even comment at Township Committee meetings, they are treated rudely. The Township Committee is a closed community and it should not be this way.
As a result of one party being in control and therefore no independent voice on the Township Committee, there has been virtually no debate, questioning or independent thinking. We deserve better than the carefully orchestrated play they call governing.
This relates to the need for greater transparency and the need to have an independent voice on the committee and this explains why our taxes have managed to rise for the last eight years the Republicans have had total control of the Township Committee.
We should have full and open debate on all issues before the Township Committee. We need accurate and timely disclosure of all relevant information, free of partisan spin. Hillsborough residents should be encouraged to speak at meetings, not be intimidated, belittled or berated by my opponent and the township administrator. Recently, I witnessed the township administrator directly challenge a citizen to the point where this gentleman felt compelled to sit down. My opponent, who runs the meetings, failed to take control of the situation. Our citizens should never be treated this way.
The appointment of citizens to boards and commissions should not be based on political affiliation, as they are now, but rather on a citizen’s commitment to making Hillsborough a better place to live.
Additionally, I have recently called for an end to "Pay to Play" in Hillsborough Township. Pay to Play is the practice of giving lucrative contracts for engineering, legal and auditing services to companies that have made financial contributions to the political campaigns of the members of the Township Committee.
It not only gives the strong appearance of favoritism, but it costs us, the taxpayers, money as well. The individuals and companies that pay in order to play simply call it another cost of doing business. They build the cost of the contribution into the rates charged to taxpayers for their services. Then we all end up financing these political campaigns. This is simply wrong.
Many other local communities have ended this practice. Hillsborough must end this practice as well.
There is more detail about pay to play on my website, www.maureen2010.com.
The bottom line is, we as Hillsborough residents deserve a government that is fully functional, fully transparent, fiscally responsible, accountable, and built upon independent thinking.
My pledge, if I am elected on Nov. 2nd, is to do everything I can do to accomplish this for you, the residents of Hillsborough.
Maureen Vella
The writer is the Democratic candidate for a three-year term on the Township Committee.
Hillsborough among first to join sustainability effort
To the editor:
As was discussed several weeks ago in my first Campaign Corner note, these weekly letters are to highlight various accomplishments made by the Township Committee during my tenure as mayor. This week, I would like to share with you the success that Hillsborough Township has had regarding our Sustainability Program and the vision for achieving continued progress in the future.
As one of the initial members of the Sustainable Hillsborough Steering Committee, which began its work in 2006, I have been actively involved in the progress made by the township in its sustainability development plan, which covers the important economic, social and environmental conditions necessary to sustain the high quality of life already enjoyed in Hillsborough.
In November 2009, this work bore fruit when it was announced that Hillsborough met the rigorous requirements to achieve "Sustainable Jersey Certification." Hillsborough was one of only 28 towns out of the 240 registered municipalities in New Jersey that attained certification in the first year of the program. To receive this certification, the township completed the rigorous requirements, including: performing an energy audit on the municipal building, holding "green" events such as our Sustainability Fairs, pledging regional cooperation on land use issues (e.g., Hillsborough belongs to the Sourland Mountains Municipal Alliance), participating in a municipal health and wellness campaign, and preparing a Natural Resource Inventory.
We continue to make progress on becoming more energy efficient. Last year, we sought and received approval from the Somerset County Freeholder Board to receive an energy audit on the municipal building as part of the Somerset County Energy Audit Program, and as a requirement for certification. Not only did the audit identify areas of potential energy efficiency, conservation, and alternative energy opportunities, but it also served as a necessary first step for the Township Committee to seek proposals regarding the potential construction of a solar energy generation system at the municipal building.
The plan would be for energy savings from the solar panels to help offset the cost of the needed replacement of the building’s nearly 20-year old roof and its heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system. This process serves an important dual purpose for the township: 1) the implementation of a new alternative energy plan that is consistent with our sustainability objectives, and 2) the continuation of our on-going cost reduction initiative by reducing the township’s energy costs.
The Township Committee and I are very proud of the Sustainable Jersey certification that we have received, as we believe it exemplifies our commitment to a sustainable Hillsborough, not only in the short term, but also for the future. If re-elected, I pledge to continue our work toward maintaining a sustainable community, becoming more energy efficient by implementing alternative energy plans that are consistent with our track record of being fiscally responsible.
If you would like to learn more about my platform, my accomplishments and my vision for Hillsborough’s future, visit my website, www.HillsboroughGOP.com. I hope you agree that I have the trusted experience to continue leading Hillsborough for the next three years.
Frank DelCore
The writer is the Republican candidate for a three-year term on the Township Committee.