MILLSTONE – Incumbent Republicans Michael Kuczinski and Fiore Masci have won three-year terms on the Township Committee in Millstone Township.
On Nov. 7, Kuczinski and Masci were re-elected, with each candidate receiving 2,155 votes.
The two Republicans turned back a challenge from Democrats Raymond Dothard, who received 906 votes, and Thomas Cantalice, who received 893 votes, according to results posted online by the Monmouth County Clerk’s Office.
The results are unofficial until they are certified by the county.
With the victory, Republicans will continue to hold all five committee seats in Millstone Township.
Kuczinski, who is serving as mayor in 2017, has been a resident of Millstone for 16 years and a member of the committee for nine years.
“I believe the town is moving in a good direction and we on the committee will continue moving it in a good direction,” he said. “People come here because of the rural nature and the environmental friendliness of the town. They want peace and quiet, they don’t want it overdeveloped, and we want to maintain Millstone’s rural character.”
Issues that Kuczinski said he intends to continue to address are maintaining the quality of life for residents and looking into more development on the township’s commercial corridors in a way that will bring tax revenue, but will not disturb Millstone.
Masci, who is serving as deputy mayor in 2017, has been a resident of Millstone for 19 years and a member of the committee for eight years.
“We want to keep improving important family quality of life issues,” he said. “Having top rated schools, keeping Millstone from being overbuilt and protecting our environment is paramount to make sure this town remains beautiful.
“We do not want Millstone turned into towns that have house upon house and strip mall on top of strip mall. We are a jewel among all the other towns in Monmouth County and want to keep it that way.”
Issues that Masci said he intends to continue to address include responsibly managing the township’s open space program, responsibly managing growth, improving infrastructure, managing the state-mandated affordable housing obligation and keeping Millstone’s municipal tax rate the lowest in Monmouth County.