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Boonton Town Council Ward 4

Boonton is designated as a Town and is therefore governed by a Mayor and Town Counciln. The Town is divided geographically into four wards with two Council members elected per ward. Each ward contains two districts hence two Council members. The Mayor serves a 4-year term and is elected by residents from all four wards. Council members serve a 2-year term and are elected by the residents of their specific ward. Therefore, the governing body is a nine-member board that includes the Mayor and eight Council members (two per ward).

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  • Candidate picture

    Seamus G. Flaherty
    (Rep)

  • Candidate picture

    Benjamin Weisman
    (Dem)

Biographical Information

What do you consider the most important challenge(s) facing your town and how do you plan to address it/them?

What in your personal and/or professional experience prepares you for this office?

What will you do to support a vibrant economy in our community?

How has federal immigration policy affected your town and how would you address it?

How would you protect/improve your town's environmental quality while providing adequate transportation infrastructure and development in your town?

Boonton faces three interconnected challenges. First, we have an increasingly politicized council culture that prioritizes ideological signaling over practical governance that serves all our residents. I will strive to deliver quality services for Boonton’s residents, focus on sound finances, and commit to creating a collaborative environment rather than focusing on hot-button issues that divide neighbors. Second, I believe the council should focus on affordability and accountability. Expenses keep rising, yet Boonton lacks basic controls like a consistent policy governing staff pay raises. My approach would be to assess every expenditure, insist on data and a defined framework before major decisions, and hold the line on unnecessary spending. Third, I believe we should strive to increase transparency and trust. For example, residents deserve to know who collects data from public spaces, how grant oversight is handled, and who is accountable when programs underperform. I will push for clear communication, active oversight, and governance that respects residents' time and intelligence.
My family and I chose Boonton twice. After years of driving 25 minutes each way so our kids could attend schools in Boonton, we bought our home and moved to town. Professionally, I’ve had a varied career in both the public and private sectors, providing me with experience I am eager to put to use serving the people of Boonton. I am an attorney and clerked for federal judges at the US District Court and Court of Appeals levels as well as at the Court of International Trade. Following my time in the courts, I’ve spent a decade and a half at PwC, EY, and in-house advising multinational corporations. This combination of courtroom rigor, Big Four financial discipline, and executive responsibility has given me an ability to read the fine print, cut through complexity, and hold government accountable to the people it serves. Finally, I serve as a member of my church’s Finance Council and as a coach for Our Lady of Mt. Carmel school’s track and cross country teams. I would love to expand on this commitment by serving our town as a council member.
Boonton's historic sites are assets that require active, smart stewardship from the council. Boonton Main Street has already produced real wins such as First Fridays, the Farmers' Market, and facade grants. I would seek new avenues for additional grant funding and clear plans for how those funds are spent. . Additionally, grant funding isn't a substitute for oversight. The council should actively track how grant dollars are used and hold programs accountable for results, not defer entirely to staff. I also see our historic building stock as an economic asset, not an obstacle. The council should use zoning to encourage restoration and reuse rather than trading away character for high-density projects and long tax abatements. Beyond Main Street, a vibrant economy requires affordability. Businesses and workers need to afford to live here, which means keeping municipal costs under control. I will support ongoing development work while insisting on real council oversight of the grants and development decisions shaping our downtown's future.
Federal immigration policy has not been a defining issue for Boonton in the way it has been for other areas of the country. We are a small town and the day-to-day lives of our residents have not been materially disrupted by shifts in federal enforcement priorities. That said, I hold two principles that apply regardless of the political moment. First, every person present in this country, regardless of status, is entitled to due process under law. That is a constitutional guarantee, not a policy preference. Second, the executive branch has a constitutional obligation to enforce laws passed by Congress. These principles are complementary, not in tension. A government that respects law enforces it faithfully and extends its protections equally. At the local level, Boonton's role is to ensure our community remains safe, welcoming, and governed by the rule of law.
Boonton sits in a region of real environmental significance. The Boonton Reservoir - a 700-acre drinking water source for hundreds of thousands New Jersey residents - lies at our doorstep, fed by the Rockaway River watershed. Protecting water quality, managing stormwater runoff, and preserving green space are practical responsibilities, not abstract commitments. Boonton's master plan already lays out sound transportation and environmental priorities but requires stronger council engagement and follow-through for successful execution. I support the ongoing Main Street TAP Grant pedestrian project, which will make downtown more walkable and safer at federal expense. However, a project of this size needs the council tracking milestones, not deferring to staff. Environmental stewardship and responsible development are compatible: Boonton should favor infill development and adaptive reuse over greenfield expansion, preserving what makes this town worth living in. I will support sustainable building practices, protect our watershed, and insist on real council oversight of every grant-funded initiative.
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