By Lea Kahn, Staff Writer
WEST WINDSOR — Six residents — including two incumbent Township Council members — have filed to run for the three seats held by Council members George Borek, Bryan Maher and Hemant Marathe in the Nov. 3 general election.
Mr. Maher is not running for re-election, but Mr. Borek has filed to run for a third term. Mr. Marathe — who was appointed to fill a vacancy created by the resignation of Township Council member Kristina Samonte — is seeking his first full term. The terms are for three years.
Township Council candidates do not run as Democrats or Republicans, although they may band together and form a slate. Both Mr. Borek and Mr. Marathe have each formed slates, with two running mates apiece.
Mr. Borek is running on the “Community First” slate with former Township Council member Alison H. Miller and Ayesha Krishnan Hamilton.
Mr. Marathe is running with Virginia Manzari and Gerald Halloran on the “Your Voice, Our Commitment” slate.
The Borek-Miller-Hamilton “Community First” platform is focused on implementing responsible long-term planning, managing traffic and improving safety for pedestrians and bicyclists, and preserving open space and maintaining recreational fields and facilities.
Mr. Borek, who is a 14-year resident, is a career firefighter with the Jersey City Fire Department. He is a Little League coach and manager. He said he cares about the community, and serving on Township Council is another way to give back to the community.
“I want to help people. When I moved to West Windsor, I wanted to get into politics. When you are in public safety, you see things differently. I like to look at a problem and try to solve it,” Mr. Borek said, adding that because of his work schedule, he has a lot of time off.
Mr. Borek said he tries to find common ground with his colleagues when there is a stalemate.
The main issue facing West Windsor is affordable housing, Mr. Borek said. State Superior Court decisions regarding affordable housing and builders’ remedy lawsuits to provide it could have a substantial impact on the township, he said. In a builders’ remedy lawsuit, a developer promises to build affordable units in exchange for building many more additional market-rate units.
Ms. Miller, who has lived in West Windsor for 27 years, served on Township Council from 1993 to 1999, and from 2001 to 2005.
Ms. Miller is a founding trustee of the Friends of West Windsor Open Space and the West Windsor Bicycle & Pedestrian Alliance. She also serves on the West Windsor Parking Authority and the West Windsor Affordable Housing Board.
“I believe my extensive experience on Township Council and volunteer boards will prove invaluable as we tackle crucial issues like responsible planning and traffic safety. I think someone with my experience, expertise and temperament — I am flexible, I think creatively and I get along one-on-one — would be good for the town,” she said.
Ms. Miller agreed with Mr. Borek that affordable housing is one of the main issues facing West Windsor Township. If the township is going to grow, it should be controlled, she said. She added that she cares about providing affordable housing, but it should be livable, practical and attractive.
Also, it is important to avoid builders’ remedy lawsuits, which could translate into more housing than anticipated, she said. Township Council needs someone who knows about it, she said, noting that she is a professional planner.
Ms. Hamilton is a two-year resident of West Windsor. She is an attorney whose law office is located in the township. She said her family chose to move to the township for the school system and the diversity of the community.
Ms. Hamilton pointed to the “significant amount of discord” on Township Council. There is strife between the majority on Township Council and the mayor, she said, adding that “political discord has no place in local politics.”
“You have to work effectively at the local level. Community is all that should matter. I think I can make a difference. I have spent my entire life looking at both sides of a problem. I want to bring balance and objectivity (to Township Council),” she said.
On the opposing “Your Voice, Our Commitment” slate, Mr. Marathe said he has lived in West Windsor for 21 years. He served on the West Windsor-Plainsboro Regional Board of Education for 12 years, including nine years as board president. He also served on the Zoning Board of Adjustment.
Mr. Marathe said he has the necessary skills and a track record of leadership, which is important to be able to lead the township during challenging times. As school board president, he showed his ability to work with various constituencies “to get things accomplished,” he said.
“As a newcomer to Township Council, I come with a fresh perspective but with no historical baggage,” he said. “I will be able to look at every issue independently and make decisions that I believe are in the best long-term interest of residents.”
Mr. Marathe said the most challenging issue before the township is property taxes — how to get the maximum benefit out of limited resources. Pointing to his service on the school board, he said that he has a “demonstrated record” of controlling taxes while providing exceptional service.
Attracting commercial ratables to the township would reduce the tax burden on residents, he said. It is going to be especially challenging, given the pending decision on West Windsor’s share of affordable housing units that may be required by the courts.
Ms. Manzari is a 16-year resident of West Windsor Township. She is serving on the Zoning Board of Adjustment, and had served on the West Windsor Documents Review Committee. She has been active in the Parent-Teacher Association, and is also a committee member for Boy Scout Troop 66.
“West Windsor needs leaders with strong business skills, who will also listen to and represent our residents. I have the skills necessary for the job,” said Ms. Manzari. She pointed to her career in business development and in managing budgets for companies such as Johnson and Johnson, Pfizer and Procter & Gamble.
There are several issues facing West Windsor, Ms. Manzari said — from affordable housing, to the development of the Howard Hughes property across Quakerbridge Road from the Quaker Bridge Mall, and property taxes.
State Superior Court decisions on affordable housing could have a substantial impact on the township, she said. The number of affordable units that may be required would result in building five times as many total units under a builders’ remedy lawsuit. To build 1,000 affordable units would mean building 5,000 new units, she said.
“Taxes are always a concern,” Ms. Manzari said. West Windsor Township has not had a municipal property tax increase in two years, and she said that if she is elected, “I intend to continue that trend, with smart budgeting and the elimination of government waste.”
Mr. Halloran has lived in West Windsor for 12 months. He has volunteered with VH1 Save the Music, the Paul R. Carey Foundation and The Governor’s Island Alliance. As a high school student, he was selected as a delegate to American Legion Boys State, where he learned about government.
“I learned early in my life to valued public service,” Mr. Halloran said. “I strongly believe there is a compromise to every issue. I also recognize that an opinion on one issue does not necessarily box you into a position on another issue. My ability to listen, question and consider multiple solutions is the greatest asset I can give to West Windsor.”
On the issues facing West Windsor Township, Mr. Halloran said safety improvements for motorists and pedestrians are key. Road safety, speed evaluations, increased pedestrian walkways, improved street lighting and road signage are needed across the township, he said.
“With the threat of impending increases in development not just in West Windsor but all across Mercer County on the horizon, now is the time to find cost effective ways to invest in our road safety,” Mr. Halloran said.
