WEST AMWELL: Voters say yes to bigger committee

In a non-binding ballot question Tuesday, West Amwell Township voters overwhelmingly approved the expansion of the West Amwell Township Committee from a three-seat body to a five-seat body.
The vote was 482-286 in favor of a larger governing body.
Last week, officials said the answer to the question, while not binding on the governing body, "would provide us with guidance whether to pursue and implement such a change."
Township Committeemen George Fisher, Zach Rich and John Dale said in a recent letter: "Our reasons for considering an expansion at this time are varied, but the two main reasons are to better distribute Township Committee workload and, secondly, to ensure sufficient and adequate representation during monthly committee meetings when official business is conducted."
They also said: "It is our belief that Township Committee members could be more efficient, effective and responsive in performing their duties and responsibilities if individual workloads were reduced to more manageable levels."
A three-member structure "somewhat limits the opportunity for generating diverse views and solutions" on public matters, enabling broader community representation, the trio noted.
IN OTHER ELECTION NEWS:
— South Hunterdon Regional Board of Education — Boyd Hartpence was elected to one of West Amwell Township’s seats on the South Hunterdon Regional Board of Education in Tuesday’s election. Mr. Hartpence received 395 votes, defeating incumbent Viktor Paerg, who received 266 votes. Mr. Hartpence was elected to a three-year term.
Derek Roseman was re-elected to one of Lambertville’s seats on the South Hunterdon board, receiving 590 votes. Newcomer Craig Reading also was elected to one of Lambertville’s seats, with 474 votes.
In a three-way race for two open seats, Mr. Roseman and Mr. Reading defeated Paul Rotundi, who received 441 votes. Mr. Roseman and Mr. Reading were elected to three-year terms.
— Lambertville — Both running unopposed, incumbents Elizabeth Asaro and Elaine Warner were re-elected to three-year terms on the Lambertville City Council. Ms. Asaro received 1,050 votes. Ms. Warner received 1,036.
— Stockton — Timothy Nemeth ran unopposed for mayor and received 156 votes. Mr. Nemeth accepted a write-in nomination for mayor in June.
Running unopposed for three-year terms on the Stockton Borough Council were Kathryn Stefanelli, who received 143 votes, and Neal Esposito, who received 93.
Mr. Esposito, a longtime council member, died Oct. 25 (see related account this week). Council will choose a replacement for him from a list of up to three candidates submitted by the local Democratic organization.
— West Amwell — Running unopposed for a seat on the West Amwell Township Committee, John Dale was re-elected to a three-year term with 593 votes.