MILLSTONE – Incumbent Republicans Gary Dorfman, Nancy Grbelja and Al Ferro have won terms on the Township Committee in Millstone Township.
On Nov. 6, Dorfman and Grbelja were re-elected to serve new three-year terms on the governing body and Ferro was elected to serve a one-year term, according to results posted online by the Monmouth County Clerk’s Office.
Dorfman’s and Grbelja’s terms will run from January 2019 through December 2021, and Ferro’s term will run from January through December 2019.
In the race for the two three-year terms, Dorfman received 3,116 votes and Grbelja received 2,963 votes. The Republicans turned back a challenge from Democrat Ivette Fagundo, who received 1,368 votes, and independent candidate Charles DeNardo, who received 707 votes.
For the one-year term, Ferro received 3,028 votes and defeated Democrat Ray Dothard, who received 1,478 votes.
The election results are unofficial until they are certified by the county.
Dorfman, who is serving as mayor this year, joined the committee in 2010. He has lived in Millstone for 20 years. Dorfman is an account executive for a business process solutions company.
Dorfman said that during the next three years, he will manage the township’s affordable housing obligations to the satisfaction of the state Superior Court, doing so with minimal tax impact and without changing the rural character of Millstone.
Amid concerns he has with the current state administration in Trenton, such as a planned reduction in state aid to the Millstone Township K-8 School District and the possibility of Millstone being forced to merge with neighboring municipalities, he said he would also look to protect the interests of residents.
“I am committed to protecting the life experience of living in Millstone by protecting the zoning and master plan,” Dorfman said. “Our town is a rural, green, large lot, residential community. Our residents chose to live here because they value the rural atmosphere, peace, quiet and privacy. There are some, who though well intentioned, don’t realize the impact denser zoning would have on homeowner value, taxes and the environment.”
Grbelja, who is serving as deputy mayor this year, joined the committee in 2004. She has lived in Millstone for 20 years and is employed by the New Jersey Education Association.
Grbelja said that during the next three years she will develop and implement an affordable housing plan that satisfies the Superior Court-mandated obligation without damaging the environmental sensitivity, rural character and quality of life of the community; continue to find creative areas for shared services to keep taxes as low as possible while servicing and meeting the needs of residents; and maintain the rural character and quality of life of the community by aggressively promoting Millstone’s open space and farmland preservation programs with partners to minimize the impact of development in surrounding municipalities.
Ferro was appointed to the Township Committee this year. He has lived in Millstone for 18 years and has worked as a law enforcement officer for 20 years in New York.
Ferro said that during the next year he will find ways to improve the quality of life in the township.
“Millstone is a gem in New Jersey,” he said. “My initiative is to preserve Millstone to find ways to improve our quality of life. This will be achieved by sticking to our master plan. I sat on the Planning Board (and) contributed to updating the master plan and I believe it has the best interests of us all.
“We need to adhere to its direction by understanding its contents and thereby, it will protect Millstone. I would like to see Millstone continue identifying open space and farms and aggressively preserve them,” he said.
Ferro said he would look to formulate a plan to address issues affecting township roads and infrastructure, such as parks, and find ways to streamline expenditures without losing or reducing services if possible to keep the tax rate flat as costs to maintain Millstone increase.
“I am excited to be able to serve the residents of Millstone in a capacity that will allow me to continue its vision,” he said. “By providing and receiving information, I will try to make the best decisions that benefit our township.”