MILLTOWN — Four candidates are vying for two three-year terms on the Milltown Borough Council in the Nov. 6 election. Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Incumbents Randy Farkas and Nick Ligotti, both Democrats, are seeking a fourth term and second term, respectively. Republican newcomers Donald R. Hohner and Richard Moore are seeking their first terms. Hohner and Moore could not be reached by press time.
Randy Farkas, 58, who is a 27-year resident of the borough, has two adult daughters.
“I continue to run for my seat on council because I get great satisfaction by helping residents solve their problems, whether day to day governmental issues or large quality of life problems,” he said. “While at times frustrating, it is a very rewarding way to give back to my community.
“I truly believe in community service and working to make our town a better place for all residents. The current administration has put personal agendas ahead of the best interests of residents. I, along with my running mate Councilman Nick Ligotti, will ensure this practice stops,” Farkas said.
If re-elected, Farkas said he plans to continue to improve Milltown’s aged infrastructure.
“It is unfortunate the current majority chose to spend tens of millions of dollars on a municipal project while turning a blind eye on rehabilitating and replacing 100-year-old water mains that cause brown water throughout the borough,” he said.
“Additionally, we have a 100-year-old sanitary sewer main that has broken twice last year and will only get worse. Residents were hit with water rate increases of 42 percent over the last two years. There is nothing more frustrating than paying higher rates and getting nothing in return,” Farkas said.
Farkas is employed as a senior technician at Clean Energy Fuels. He attended Eastern New Mexico University and The College of New Jersey. In the community, Farkas serves as chairman of the Recreation Committee and liaison to the Board of Health.
“I am the founder of the successful Haunted River Walk fundraiser for the eighth grade students at Joyce Kilmer Middle School,” he said.
Nick Ligotti, 52, who is an 18-year resident of the borough, is married and has three adult children.
“I am running for a seat on council because I know I am the best person for the job,” he said. “I will continue to ask the hard questions to protect the residents of Milltown. Forget about national politics, I have a great passion for the town I live in and on a local level I want to be involved as much as possible. Councilman Randy Farkas and I are committed to getting the [borough’s] spending and mismanagement of its finances under control.”
If re-elected, Ligotti said needed areas of improvement include taxes, utility costs and infrastructure.
“We have to be creative and seek out alternatives instead of always raising rates and taxes,” he said. “The infrastructure of our water lines needs to be maintained better with a continuous water line flushing plan to prevent brown water from being delivered to our residents.”
Ligotti is employed as a global director of desktop support for Catalina U.S. Insurance Services. He earned his degree in electronics from DeVry University.
In the community, Ligotti serves on the Public Safety Committee for the council, has volunteered for events around town for the recreation department, is part of the Fourth of July Committee, participates in cleanups around town, and partakes in Boy Scout projects.