Marlboro Council Candidates: Scott Metzger

Marlboro Patch asked for your questions, and compiled some of our own, for the six candidates running for Township Council this November in Marlboro Township.

Each candidate answered the same questions. Due to scheduling conflicts with the candidates, the questions were sent via email to Scott Metzger, Craig Marshall, Marielaina LaRosa and Bob Knight. Marlboro Patch met in person with Jeff Cantor and Carol Mazzola.

Candidates were asked to answer the questions individually, not as one ticket. Candidate responses were not edited.

Marlboro Patch will run each candidate's answers before the Nov. 5 election. 

Candidate: Scott Metzger, Democratic Incumbent

I care deeply about the community that I have lived in my entire life.  In fact, three generations of Metzgers proudly call Marlboro home. My family has always been active in township activities, including my father who also served as councilman.  It follows that participating in the care and protection of  our town is a priority for me.

Reader question #2: What are your new ideas for Marlboro Township?

In our first term we brought many new ideas to the table. Communications with the residents have continued to grow and improve.  In addition to email and Reverse 9-1-1, we now have a Township Facebook page and Twitter feed.  We have consolidated government, brought in shared services and partnered with our Township employees to cover the ever increasing costs of  health care.  

While I continue to work with the administration to find innovative ways to keep spending flat, listening to the residents and acting upon their concerns has led to the formation of the traffic advisory committee which I currently chair.  We are excited by the power to influence State and County lawmakers that our group of professionals and residents will have as we go through this process of developing a plan to reduce traffic and promote safety in Marlboro.

Reader question #3:What kinds of people are you looking for to be appointed to local boards and committees?

I am looking for a diverse group of smart and motivated residents who are able to work with the public, our professionals, our boards and committees.  I am looking for individuals who are great communicators and those with clear vision of Marlboro’s potential.  

Reader question #4: What do you think is the most efficient means of communication between the council and the residents?

Knocking on hundreds of doors during this campaign season reminds me that simply taking a moment to speak to someone is the best way to communicate. However, in a town of over 40,000, I recognize that communication between council and residents needs to be multifaceted.  

During Superstorm Sandy we learned that one method of communication is not sufficient.  Some people had landlines, some cell phones, some have Facebook or Twitter.  We have made a concerted effort to educate the residents to sign up for as many lines of communication as they can and the website has been re-designed to reflect that intent. Of course, citizens have always had the ability and are encouraged to address the full council during the council speaks portion of our meetings.

#5. What are some of your ideas to make the best of a bad situation, such as the Northpointe Development, which the township is legally bound to build. What ideas would you have to improve that area and cushion the blow?  

Having had the pleasure of serving on the Planning Board this year, I can tell you first hand that this is one of the most difficult challenges we face.  Even though we are bound by agreements reached between builders and prior administrations, every one of these projects must appear before the Planning Board, where no short cuts will be tolerated.  

On council, we have already passed ordinances that will protect our residents from overdevelopment issues such as flooding, environmental concerns and shoddy workmanship - - a stark contrast to the laws that were previously in place.  In addition, paying attention to detail is key.  

When being presented with a plan that “calls” for a certain “maximum” amount of residents, we need to be mindful of the actual layout and how it may lead to derelictions in such a plan.  During the planning board hearings certain conditions can be put in place to restrict any such abuses and “soften” the blow to our school population, this keeping taxes in check.

#6. Marlboro is seeing big business come back to the township, what are some of your ideas to make Marlboro Township business friendly to everyone from the local mom and pop shops to big box stores?

Shop Marlboro was a big step in that direction. With a Shop Local initiative and Property tax reward program, we encourage residents to keep their spending dollars close to home. As most of the 50 businesses participating in the Property Tax Reward program are small local businesses, we give them the ability to increase their competitiveness.  Shopping close to home is also a part of our ‘green’ initiative.  The Economic Development Committee, reformed during our term, continues to reach out and work with new business interested in calling Marlboro their home.  

#7. The Marlboro Motor Lodge has become a scene for crime and drug related activities, what are your ideas to clean that area up? How can the township get involved?

The Marlboro Motor lodge has been an eye sore in Marlboro for several years.  You may recall that we were attempting to buy the property to rehabilitate it into units that could be used to satisfy our COAH obligation prior to the recent challenge to the COAH rules.  This has been put on hold pending the new regulations being enacted per the recent court decision.  

In the interim, we have worked with the administration and Chief Hall to develop strategies that now allow more patrol over the area, without increased costs to our residents.  I am very confident in our department being able to address this issue, as they have done in the past very successfully.

#8. Pick something you'd like to improve in the township and tell us how you would.

Quality of life is very important to me.  Growing up here and raising my own 4 children, I want them to come back to Marlboro as I did.  For that reason, I volunteered to Chair the new traffic Committee.  Most of the roads in Marlboro with traffic concerns are either County or State Roads. We will work with the police, town planners and residents chosen from different areas of the township.  As a Council, we have always worked under the premise that our residents are an integral part of the process and I am very pleased that so many residents sent in resumes to join the committee.

#9. What areas of the township budget would you like to improve, and how?

The township budget process is completely open to the public.  Those that have attended have had the opportunity to learn how each Department and a Municipal budget work.  Department Heads submit preliminary budget requests and then meet with the Council, the Mayor and the Business Administrator and we all discuss the budget on a line by line basis.  Having spoken with other council members from across the state, I can tell you that this is a truly unique approach, but one that has enabled us to keep spending flat, even when the costs of doing business have steadily increased.  It is an arduous process but one that leaves us and residents with an understanding of the budget. In fact, absent Sandy expenses, the Town’s operating budget is less than it was 7 years ago.  

#10. How does your experience in your life translate to public service?