By KATHY CHANG
Staff Writer
MILLTOWN — An incumbent and a newcomer grabbed the two available seats on the Milltown Borough Council in the election on Nov. 8.
Republican incumbent Doriann Kerber, who will serve her second term, collected 1,921 votes. Her running mate, Richard J. Revolinsky, gained the most votes with 2,087; he will be serving his first term.
Democrat challengers Felipe Zambrana and Margaret O’Donnell received 1,579 votes and 1,522 votes, respectively, in their losing bids for their first terms on council.
Kerber thanked all the voters, committee members and volunteers who helped in her re-election campaign.
“Listening to residents is the way to address change in Milltown,” she said. “Rich Revolinsky and I feel a meet-and-greet in December is important to get started with public outreach.”
Kerber said a food and toy drive will be held at the meet-and-greet for those who wish to participate.
“I am proud to be serving as councilwoman in the Borough of Milltown, and I am extremely happy to continue my efforts,” she said. “I will continue to assist the town in reducing costs to provide a more competitive bidding process for external services and seek out interlocal agreements for the governing body with neighboring towns for some nonvolunteer services.”
Kerber said she would continue to do research with experts in the field for better, cost-effective options for engineering projects in the borough.
“I will speak up on any issues, concerns or successes provided to me because as a public servant it’s important to inform the public,” she said.
In addition, Kerber said she has already met with department heads to assess their needs to write more grants this year for the borough.
She said she recently spoke at the New Jersey State League of Municipalities conference about green infrastructure in Milltown.
“I am taking a collaboration and cooperation planning course through Rutgers [University], which will help start our social media or website public outreach in the new year,” she said.
Kerber said they also have a major opportunity in the near future to include local businesses, nonprofits, Boy and Girl Scouts, the Lions Club, master gardeners, borough staff and other volunteer experts in Milltown for an open space project for all to be proud to say they participated in “the greatest little town in the land.”
Revolinsky said he is overcome by the support he received this year in the election.
“Throughout the campaign cycle, I met with many residents and listened to their concerns and discussed the initiatives I plan to undertake in my term as councilman,” he said.
Revolinsky said the issues raised by residents ranged from sidewalk maintenance, increased utility bills to the fate of redevelopment at the former Michelin tire factory on Ford Avenue.
“What I learned to be the root of most issues was a clear lack of communication between Borough Hall and the residents of Milltown,” he said.
Revolinsky said one of his first initiatives will be to amend these shortcomings by creating a new borough website where information regarding the town’s civic organizations, official meeting minutes and notices can be posted as well as proposed ordinances.
He said for those who do not have access to the Internet, he will look to also improve information to be disseminated on local Channel 15 as well as regular mailings to residents.
“In my first year, I am eager to take on the role of council representative to the Utilities Department,” he said.
He said some initial interests in this area include evaluation of the borough’s existing utility system and operational costs, amending the borough’s solar ordinance to be in line with industry standards and amending the borough’s electrical billing structure to stabilize anticipated billings to residents while covering operational costs.
Revolinsky said he would also like to see studies performed on the borough’s water system, develop 10- and 20-year capital improvement plans, address the inequality in water billing as it relates to outside water use and sewer billing, institute a preventative maintenance program and begin to work with the borough engineer to develop pilot programs to utilize modern construction materials and methods in the improvement plans.
“I understand fully the hardships facing our residents with increased tax liabilities for borough operations as well as the need for maintaining and improving our infrastructure,” he said. “I look forward to working hard for and with the residents of Milltown to ensure a bright and prosperous future for our community.”
Contact Kathy Chang at kchang@gmnews.com.
