PLUMSTED – Three members of the Township Committee were re-elected to the governing body on Nov. 3. The trio of Republicans ran unopposed.
Committeemen Jack Trotta and Eric Sorchik won three-year terms that will run from Jan. 1, 2016 through Dec. 31, 2018. Committeeman Vincent Lotito won a one-year term that will run from Jan. 1, 2016 through Dec. 31, 2016.
Results posted online by the Ocean County Clerk’s Office show that Sorchik received 881 votes, Trotta received 868 votes and Lotito received 854 votes. The results are unofficial until they are certified by the county.
“I’m pleased at the outcome, but I’m a little disappointed that a lot of people did not participate,” Trotta said.
According to the Ocean County Clerk’s Office, there about 4,800 registered voters in Plumsted and fewer than 900 people voted on Election Day (about 18.75 percent of eligible voters).
Trotta said the committee members will focus on Plumsted’s redevelopment plan and the construction of a proposed sewer and waste water treatment plant that is part of the plan.
“The redevelopment plan and the sewers are of the utmost importance,” Trotta said.
After his victory, Sorchik said, “I want to thank the supporters for letting me continue what we have done in the past as a committee. I am just happy to be able to continue to serve.”
Sorchik also said the redevelopment plan will get the committee’s attention in 2016 and beyond, as will a natural gas pipeline that New Jersey Natural Gas has proposed constructing through the region. The proposed pipeline has been a cause of concern for residents and officials.
Lotito, who was appointed to the committee earlier this year, said he is looking forward to another year of service. He, too, said the redevelopment plan and the natural gas pipeline will be at the top of the governing body’s agenda.
“That project and building development will have a tremendous impact on our town for a lot of reasons,” he said. “I aim to work as an advocate for this town … to support and bolster our taxpayers.”
He said the next year will continue to be a learning experience.
“My hope is to be able to deal with a … dichotomy of interests in our town,” Lotito said.
Lotito, who served on the Planning and Land Use Board prior to joining the committee, said trying to balance the need for taxes to pay for municipal services while not increasing development and taxes has been challenging.
“My hope is that this term will help me get a hold on that dichotomy by understanding what people want, but also not being the parent in the room,” he said. “It’s a big challenge.”