Verona-Cedar Grove May 14 Municipal Election Guide

Verona and Cedar Grove council candidates are urging residents to come to the polls to cast their vote on Tuesday, May 14.

“I would hope we have a lot of enthusiasm, not only to vote and decide who you feel best supports the town, but to get out there and vote because that's a freedom that we have,” said Cedar Grove candidate Joseph Chiusolo.

The Verona Chamber of Commerce and Verona-Cedar Grove Times held a public forum for candidates to discuss and debate issues.

The Cedar Grove Chamber of Commerce held a meet and greet where the candidates gave short speeches and interacted with members of the community.

Now it's up to the voters to decide who will serve on each council.

There are three seats open for the Verona Township Council with the following ballot order:

1. Jay Sniatkowski (Verona first)
2. Rich Williamson (Verona values)
3. Kevin Ryan (Fiscal responsibility and open government)
4. Alex Roman (For efficient, effective and open government)
5. Bob Manley (Proven trust and leadership)
6. Al DeOld ('Doc' for the taxpayer)
7. Teena Schwartz (Integrity, accountability and common sense)

There are three seats open for the Cedar Grove Township Council with the following ballot order:

1. Joseph Chiusolo
2. John Zunic
3. Stacy Kilkenny
4. E. Romeo Longo

There will also be a public question on the Cedar Grove ballot regarding the Open Space Trust Fund.

According to municipal documents, the Open Space Trust Fund was established “for the purposes of acquiring lands, property or easements within the Township for active and passive recreation and for conservation purposes.”

Since Cedar Grove does not have an ample amount of open space, the town will let the voters decide what to do with the $500,000 left in the fund when it expired.

The public question will read as follows:

“The Governing Body of the Township of Cedar Grove has decided to allow the collection of the open space trust fund tax expire therefore leaving a fund balance of approximately $500,000. Do you wish for the open space trust fund balance to be used to offset future tax increases?”

Although the public question result will be non-binding on council, it is expected to guide the them in making their final decision.

"The purpose of this non-binding referendum is to provide the Governing Body of the Township of Cedar Grove with the sentiment of the legal voters on the question presented," the resolution says. "If this public question is approved, the Township shall have the discretion to allow the remaining balance of the open space trust fund to be used to offset future tax increases."