The most significant challenge facing Montville Township is the unprecedented pace and scale of forced development driven by the state’s Affordable Housing mandates. The 4th Round of Affordable Housing (Round 4) came immediately after Round 3, even though a good portion of the development required under Round 3 had not yet been completed or occupied. Round 4 imposed additional requirements, aggressive timelines, and the threat of losing our immunity and with it, meaningful local control over zoning and development. The legislation also left out 62 of the state’s largest towns, placing a disproportionate burden on suburban communities like Montville Township.
The numbers tell the story: approximately 80% of all residential development in Montville Township over the past six years has resulted from state-mandated affordable housing requirements. No one in Montville Township, residents or elected officials, asked for this growth. It was largely imposed by the state, and our residents are understandably concerned about the pace and scale of this change.
The Township Committee has fought back through preserving open space, securing credits, and legal action, amongst other strategies.
For more than 35 years, I have been a partner in running a healthcare practice, an experience that has been invaluable throughout my civic service. This has taught me the importance of sound financial management, accountability, strategic planning, problem solving, and, most importantly, working collaboratively to achieve results.
I have lived in Montville Township for over 34 years. During that time, I have served in leadership positions on the two largest public entities in the township and volunteered in other capacities.
My public service began 18 years ago when I was first elected to the Board of Education. During my nine years on the Board, my fellow members entrusted me with leadership roles for seven years, including five years as vice president and two years as president. I brought that same commitment to the Township Committee, where I am currently serving my third consecutive three-year term. I have had the honor of serving as Montville Township Mayor for three years and am currently in my third year as Deputy Mayor.
Together, my 35 years of professional experience and nearly 18 years of elected service have given me a depth and breadth of experience that is invaluable.
A vibrant local economy means strong businesses, a healthy tax base, and more choices for our residents. I have been a strong advocate for commerce and economic development in Montville Township, and I can point to a proven record of results. Over the past 8–10 years, the Township Committee has worked to transform the Route 46 corridor, one of our township’s most important economic assets and a gateway to Essex and Passaic Counties.
This was not easy. We faced litigation, regulatory hurdles, and property owners who moved at their own pace. But we remained persistent, and the results are now visible.
Today, the corridor has new businesses, including several restaurants, a new car dealership, and a new convenience store. The latter two replaced a deteriorating restaurant and an unsafe hotel turning two longstanding problem properties into productive assets that contribute to our community and tax base.
This is what thoughtful economic development looks like: taking underutilized or problematic properties and turning them into opportunities that strengthen our tax base, improve our community, and give residents more choices closer to home.
More positive changes to come.
To date, federal immigration policy has had no direct operational impact on Montville Township that I am aware of. However, I believe our nation and state must have a fair, orderly, and enforceable immigration system, and that our laws should be followed and enforced.
At the local level, our responsibility is first and foremost public safety. Our police follow New Jersey Attorney General Directive 2018-6, the Immigrant Trust Directive, which establishes guidelines for how local law enforcement interacts with federal immigration authorities. We will continue to follow state law and fulfill our responsibility to protect all our residents.
If federal or state policies change in ways that affect Montville Township, I will carefully evaluate their impact and advocate for an approach that is consistent with the law, protects public safety, respects the responsibilities of local government, and maintains the trust between our residents and law enforcement. Immigration is a federal responsibility, but keeping Montville Township safe is ours and that responsibility will always come first.
Montville Township is a suburban community of more than 23,000 residents. We need to balance environmental protection with responsible development and adequate infrastructure.
I believe we should focus on practical steps that make a meaningful difference while remaining fiscally responsible. As municipal vehicles are replaced, we could consider transitioning to hybrid or electric vehicles when financially and operationally practical. Over time, this can reduce emissions and operating costs.
This is not a new commitment for me. Throughout my 18 years of civic service, I have supported initiatives that improve our environment and our efficiency. I spearheaded the installation of solar panels in our school system before it became commonplace, organized no cost energy audits of our municipal and school buildings through state programs, and helped advance the use of LED and other energy efficient lighting and fixtures at substantial discounts. The township also holds regular electronics, medication, and paper shredding recycling events which I am proud to support. Our goal should be smart, sustainable growth while protecting our character and environment for future generations.
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