BY JANE MEGGITT
Staff Writer
MIGUEL JUAREZ staff Upper Freehold Committeeman and environmental expert Stephen Fleischacker, who was sworn in to his first term the day before, collects a sample of water from a Cream Ridge creek to check for contaminants. New Upper Freehold Township Committeeman Stephen Fleischacker brings his experience as an environmental and agricultural engineer to the governing body.
Born in the Bronx, N.Y., Fleischacker moved to the township in 2002, having lived in South Brunswick since 1990. He served last year as the chairman of Upper Freehold’s Environmental Advisory Committee, a position he had to relinquish after being elected as a committeeman. In addition, he has served on the Westerly Bypass Committee, the Vision and Scenic Byways Committee, and the Tree City USA Advisory Board.
This year, he will also be a member of the Planning Board.
Fleischacker said he believes township officials must work to manage growth and preserve the rural character through integrated planning. Such planning, according to Fleischacker, should be based on environmental protection priorities, existing roadways and planned density.
He also said the town should pursue commercial development that supports the existing agricultural and equine-related industries.
Tax revenues generated by these commercial entities could be used for open space or recreational land acquisition, according to Fleischacker.
“My goal is to listen to all viewpoints and make sure all concerned parties are debating the same set of facts,” he said. “Information must not only be presented in an unbiased way, but the community must be convinced it is unbiased.
“I accepted that obligation when I decided to seek local public office,” he added.
When asked whether he thought it was possible for Upper Freehold to remain an agricultural community, or if typical New Jersey suburbanization was inevitable, he said keeping the township agriculturally based would require a philosophy of managed growth.
“It requires dialogue and compromise to be successful,” he said.
Last year’s divisiveness over the possibility of moving from 3-acre to 6-acre zoning may be healed, he said, by focusing public debate more on arguing the facts, rather than incorrect interpretations of the facts.
“It is human nature to read a set of numbers with prescription glasses that fit a person best,” Fleischacker said. “In the course of public process, we can achieve 20/20 eyesight for all, by being more concerned about the net effect on our community as a whole. Understanding and respect will heal divisiveness.”
Fleischacker believes a comprehensive study should address the potential for variable lot zoning based on specific environmental constraints within the township.
He supports the potential application for Upper Freehold for the transfer of development rights (TDR).
Fleischacker campaigned with running mate William Miscoski based on the idea of a voluntary moratorium from large landowners. Democratic opponents Robert Faber and Chris Berzinski, however, ran on a platform of moving toward 6-acre zoning.
Fleischacker said if officials choose to study various zoning options and strive to minimize negative impacts to landowners, “the voting majority will, no doubt, seek a demonstration of good faith — a commitment from landowners to voluntarily withhold Planning Board applications during the course of exhaustive study.”
Calling such a moratorium “unprecedented,” he said it would send a powerful message to the majority of residents that “there is a willingness to work together.”
Fleischacker lives with his wife, Cathy, and their three sons in the Grande at Old Mill development. In his spare time, he enjoys attending and participating in various sporting events with his family. He also provides pro bono environmental consulting services to disadvantaged communities.