Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Children and Ages
Kyle 23 and Shaun 20
Education
BA Degree in Economics Rutgers University
Employment
Sandoz Inc.
Involvement in Community
Councilwoman Ward 2 (current), Former BOE Member (2018-2021)
Slogan
Vote Column A Team Dalina
Years residing in town
16 years
Occupation
Employed full time
Contacted by LWVNJ?
Yes
Vote for
Rupa Siegel Ward 2 Councilwoman
Since being elected in 2021, I’ve had the privilege of serving as Councilwoman for Ward 2, but my commitment to Monroe began long before then. After moving here in 2009 with my husband and two sons, I became deeply involved in our schools and community, holding leadership roles in PTAs and PTOs and supporting students, staff, and families. In 2018, I was elected to the Monroe Township Board of Education, where I served on critical committees including Curriculum, Policy, Finance, Personnel, and Negotiations. These experiences gave me a strong foundation in governance, budgeting, and consensus-building.
Professionally, I am a Rutgers University graduate with a degree in Economics and work full-time in Human Resources and Legal for a global pharmaceutical company. My career has given me extensive project management experience, as well as the ability to work collaboratively across diverse teams and solve complex problems. Together, my professional skills and community service have prepared me to listen, lead, and make thoughtful decisions that will keep Monroe a thriving and welcoming place for all residents.
The top priorities I hear from residents are affordability, safety, and recreation. Monroe has one of the lowest tax rates in Middlesex County, thanks to responsible budgeting, securing grants, and shared service agreements. At the same time, we’ve strengthened public safety by equipping our police with the latest technology, adding more officers, and increasing EMS funding by 22%—bringing in new ambulances and full-time EMTs. We’ve also invested in road safety by re-paving heavily traveled streets and adding new traffic lights in key areas.
Recreation and open space are equally crucial for the quality of life of our residents. I worked with residents to create Tranquility Trails on the southern side of town, ensured future recreation is part of the Master Plan, and preserved 10 acres of land for park use by stopping a warehouse project at Butcher Road. Looking ahead, I’ll continue building on these successes by following the Master Plan, expanding parks like James Monroe Park, and keeping residents engaged and informed. Whether through our township website, newsletters, televised council meetings, or social media outreach, I believe in making information accessible so every resident can stay up to date and involved in shaping Monroe’s future.
The Master Plan serves as our roadmap for managing growth, protecting open spaces, and investing in the services and amenities that residents value most. Recreation has been a top priority identified by our community, which is why I’ve worked to expand options on the southern side of Monroe with projects like Tranquility Trails, as well as preserving 10 acres of land for future park use. We’re also making major upgrades at James Monroe Park, including new restrooms, concession stands, ADA improvements, and electrical and septic upgrades. At the same time, I’ve supported infrastructure improvements like re-paving roads and adding traffic lights to keep our community safe and accessible.
Equally important is making sure residents stay informed and involved. I regularly attend community events and speak directly with residents about our progress; however, I also believe in utilizing every available tool to share updates. We post information on the township website, send newsletters, televise council meetings, and actively use social media so residents can stay engaged no matter how they prefer to connect. My goal is to
ensure that every resident feels both heard and informed as we follow the Master Plan to keep Monroe vibrant, livable, and one of the best places to call home.
The most critical challenge we face is balancing the need to expand and enhance our services with the responsibility to keep Monroe affordable for families and seniors. Residents expect strong public safety, quality amenities, and reliable infrastructure, but they also depend on us to manage costs responsibly. That’s why I’ve focused on securing Monroe’s financial future through innovative fiscal management. I’ve worked with our state legislators on tax relief initiatives, such as the ANCHOR program, and collaborated with our administration to pursue grants and shared service agreements that bring in resources without increasing costs. I have consistently reviewed our financial portfolio to identify savings and secure the best possible bond rates. My priority is to keep delivering top-tier services while protecting taxpayers, so Monroe remains both a wonderful and affordable place to call home.
As the Ward 2 Councilwoman, I am proud that Monroe has created affordable housing for our Veterans at Valor Pointe. For the upcoming round four obligation, we’ve worked closely with the township administration and an expert planner to drastically reduce the number of state-mandated units while still meeting our legal requirements. Looking ahead, I will continue working as part of a strong team to carefully manage these obligations through responsible planning and open space preservation. Our goal is to protect Monroe’s quality of life, ensure development is thoughtful and balanced, and make sure state mandates are met in a way that serves residents without overwhelming our community.
Monroe consistently has one of the lowest property tax rates in Middlesex County, and I’ve worked hard as Councilwoman to keep it that way while protecting the quality of life our residents deserve. My approach has always been rooted in fiscal responsibility, constantly pursuing grants, shared services, and outside funding so we can deliver more without asking taxpayers to pay more. At the same time, we’ve invested in what matters most. We’ve expanded senior programs and services, delivered direct property tax relief through programs like ANCHOR and StayNJ, enhanced our police department with new technology to keep Monroe one of the safest towns in America, and expanded EMS to meet the needs of our growing community. My commitment is to keep Monroe both affordable and one of the best and safest places to live in New Jersey.