Familiar faces on ballot for Boro Council seats Bosworth, Collins, Farkas, Walters seek two seats in Milltown BY JESSICA SMITH Staff Writer MILLTOWN - A veteran councilman, a former councilman, a recently appointed councilman, and someone who came just shy of becoming a councilman make up the field in this year's Borough Council race. The four are vying for two available three-year terms Nov. 7. On the Democratic ticket are Council President Kevin Bosworth and former councilman Gary Walters, running against Republicans incumbent John Collins, who was appointed to the council early this year, and former council candidate Randy Farkas. Farkas, who has lived in Milltown for 15 years, and has two daughters, Jaimie, 12, and Samantha, 10, is a supervisor for a construction company. He ran for council last year, at first coming out ahead in the tally, but then losing to Democrat Joseph Cruz after a recount. "I chose to get involved in the politics of this town only because of all my community involvement and all the things I do," said Farkas, a member of the Planning Board and chairman of the annual Fourth of July celebration. "It was a natural progression. I think it's a way for me to help people in the town, to be an advocate for residents in the town." Farkas also serves on the Mill Pond Park Committee and the town's Anti-vandalism Task Force. He is a co-founder and organizer of Milltown's Haunted River Walk to benefit local eighth-grade students. The annual event has raised more than $25,000 over the past three years. Farkas also coaches recreational softball and basketball and is a member of the Knights of Columbus. Walters, a Democrat, served on the council from 1999 to 2003 and was chairman of the utilities committee. He also was a member of the Planning Board and environmental commission. He was president of the Milltown Little League for three years and has coached various sports in town. He is a veteran of the U.S. Navy and an ex-fire chief in Iselin. Walters has lived in Milltown for 19 years. He and his wife, Sharon, have three children - Rachel, 19, Nicole, 16, and Garret, 14. Walters did not seek re-election to council because he was finishing work toward a bachelor's degree in business management. He attended Fairleigh Dickinson University at night while working as a project manager for Verizon, where he has been employed for 33 years, during the days. "Something had to give, and it wasn't going to be my family, that's for sure," Walters said. "The Democrats kept asking me to run again, and the time was right [this year]. Sometimes, when you get some time away, it gives you a better perspective on things." During his time on the council, Walters helped to get a new pumping station in town and negotiate reduced utility rates, he said. "For those who remember me being on the council, I think they would agree that I was very independent. I would often look beyond party lines when I voted. I did what I thought was best for the town," Walters said. Time spent on the Planning Board and Environmental Commission in the past has given him more experience in the way government works, he said. Collins has been on the council since March, when he was appointed to replace Sean Leary upon his resignation. Collins serves as council liaison and chairman of the Environmental Commission, and is a member of the Shade Tree Committee, Board of Health and Pool Committee. He is sub-chairman of the Department of Public Safety Committee. Collins has also been a member of the Milltown Rangers for 27 years, serving as a trustee and treasurer in past years. He is now acting financial secretary for the group. Past affiliations include the Municipal Building Advisory Committee and Community Betterment Committee. He has also coached Junior Pee Wee football. Collins has resided in Milltown for 18 years, where he lives with his wife, Erin. "I listen to the people and their problems, and I try to solve them," he said. "I ask the tough questions and I don't owe an allegiance to anybody. I do what's best for the residents." His accomplishments on the council have been taking part in passing the ordinance limiting pool use to residents of the borough, and stepping up police patrols in problem areas, he said. He said he is happy that the town is moving forward on establishing a historical committee in town to protect its small-town feel. Bosworth, a Democrat, has been on the Borough Council for 12 years, serving as president in 1996 and this year. Bosworth has lived in Milltown for 21 years with Linda, his wife of 28 years. His three daughters, Allison, 24, Kelly, 21, and Danielle, 18, live at home but are away at college. Bosworth works as an attorney in his solo practice in Jersey City. He has been chairman of the council's Finance, Administration and Planning Committee for five years, and serves as council representative on the Milltown Planning Board. Bosworth has been chairman of the Public Works, Public Safety and Utilities committees. He has served as a municipal public defender, municipal prosecutor and an attorney for the town's Zoning Board of Adjustment. He coached girls' softball for six years. Among his accomplishments on the council are the expansion of recreational programs in town, and consolidation of municipal offices to save taxpayers' money, he said. He said that most recently he has helped to maintain stable municipal taxes, citing the fact that the increase has been held to 6 cents on the tax rate over a period of five years. Farkas held a different view. "A big issue in the town is taxes," he said. "We've had another tax increase this year. We really need to control our spending and keep an eye on our taxes." Farkas took issue with the recent 3-cent tax increase, and questioned the council's decision to spend $268,000 to repave 18 roads in the town soon after the increase was issued. "The timing was very suspect," Farkas said. Bosworth said one of his goals is to maintain and improve services for residents without burdening them with higher taxes, and he cited the bond ordinance adopted for road improvements as a way of helping to achieve that. "Obviously Ford Avenue is the big item of interest for everybody," Walters said. "That place is an eyesore, a safety hazard. It's important that it gets developed, and that it gets developed in the right way, so that it goes along with Milltown and the image that Milltown has. It's the last major piece of real estate we have in the town, and that will bring in much-needed tax revenue." Walters also stressed the importance of cleaning the site properly before any development takes place there. Collins shared that standpoint. "I'd like to see us clean up Ford Avenue and demolish the buildings. That would be one of the first things we have to work on," Collins said, adding, "Most of the residents are not happy. The Ford Avenue Committee seems too political." The issue of the Ford Avenue redevelopment has been an ongoing source of debate at town meetings. While there are various points of contention for those involved, one sentiment was echoed by each of the candidates. "I would like to see the Ford Avenue redevelopment come to fruition," said Bosworth. Farkas said he could not say too much on the subject because the issue has yet to come before the Planning Board. "I support the redevelopment of Ford Avenue, but I have some concerns, specifically with the number of housing units," Farkas said. "I think there are too many." A concern shared by Farkas and Collins is the issue of historic preservation in the town. "The other issue we have in town is we're kind of losing our historic identity," Farkas said. "We really need to form some kind of historical committee so we can hold onto our past a little bit here." Action toward the establishment of a historical preservation entity should have begun a long time ago, Collins said.