During my first year as councilman, I took part in a field trip to our water treatment plant. It was an eye-opening experience and as I became more educated, I realized that updating our water supply was going to be a challenge. Some of these challenges include age and compliance. Due to continuing compliance guidelines our actual treatment plant needed updating and room for growth. Our water lines running to the town are over 80 years old and need replacing. Our lead water lines within town need replacing. It is almost overwhelming, but the good news plans are in place to remediate these items. We are in the midst of a multi-year water department project where we are essentially replacing water lines that are over 80 years old. We are using grant money and state funding to offset the costs. Also, due to these improvements, we are looking into opportunities to generate revenue by selling water to local towns.
In my personal experience, I have been volunteering in the community since moving to Boonton. Raising 4 children introduced me being an active member of PTA, Little League, Grayhawk Football, and Boy Scouts. Meeting such a diverse group of people really gave me a sense understanding and pride of Boonton. Professionally, I am currently a director and oversee a large department. Building a strong teamwork ethic is great when working with my fellow councilmembers. Listening to my clients and understanding their needs is a skill that I use when listening to my neighbors with their ideas.
I will continue to play an active role in making Boonton a destination town. Come here for dinner or come here to raise a family. Our Main Street offers such a diverse offering of services, food and corporate offices. Keeping this area vibrant requires diligence in making it attractive. Continuing efforts to improve parking, keeping the sidewalks clean of trash providing opportunities for proprietors to add curbside appeal are just some of the items I will continue to push for.
As chairman of the Boonton Police Committee, I lead discussions on this topic just 2 months ago. BPD Captain Petonak confirmed that there haven’t been any issues regarding this topic. The officers undergo training not only for this, but a multitude of scenarios. Drug enforcement, auto theft, and overall community safety are just some of issues they tackle. Being the son of a police officer, I fully support the efforts of Boonton’s finest.
One of the aspects that led me to Boonton (over 35 years ago) is its long history. Unfortunately, “long history” is a nice way of saying old. Keeping the town’s infrastructure running in a safe and compliant manner is one of the most important challenges we face. I take pride with the progress we continue to make. We have engaged with NJ DOT to inspect overpass bridges. We continue to investigate ways to improve the parking experience in downtown. Working with town personnel, grants are constantly being sought after to minimize the tax burden on residents. I continue to support initiatives such as getting Transit Village status for the town.
The present Town Council has demonstrated an unwillingness to think creatively to solve outstanding issues such as incomplete construction projects, how to increase citizen participation in Council meetings or how to resolve thorny issues affecting town citizens. I will work to create solutions, such as adding legislation to force lagging commercial property owners into compliance and will advocate for access to allow all residents' voices to be heard.
I am a trial attorney by training with 38 years of experience. It is my daily job to find compromise and solutions to litigation disputes. My current specialty is insurance defense law, in which my job is to determine if a claim is valid or fraudulent and to determine how much, if anything, in damages is owed. This experience will allow me to work with anyone willing to work with me to accomplish goals for the good of the citizens of Boonton.
Further, I have been a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Boonton Lodge #1405, for 16 years. In that time, I took responsibility for leading the lodge to good financial order, guiding it through the pandemic and serving in state and national office for the Elks in the process.
Finally, I parented a teenage girl (now a very successful adult). I helped potty train my granddaughter, a two year old. It is very difficult to frighten me!
I presently support, and will continue to support, Boonton Rainbow Pride, which stages an annual festival in Grace Lord Park. I will advocate for renovation of and leasing to a private entity the Darress Theatre. If allowed to serve on a committee to address the parking issue in town, I will cheerfully do so. I will continue to attend as many town events as I can.
I am unaware of a major enforcement push by immigration agents in Boonton. I would absolutely encourage federal agents to work with, as opposed to dictate to, Boonton's police department and those in public safety to ensure the rights of Boonton's residents are respected while good order and safety is maintained.
Public transportation infrastructure is, in my opinion, a very important way to protect environmental quality. I advocate continuing to pursue Boonton's goal of being designated a Transit Village. I would also favor working with New Jersey Highlands to achieve environmentally friendly development.
