Belleville 2022 Election: Mayor, Council Races Enter Home Stretch

BELLEVILLE, NJ — Belleville Mayor Michael Melham will face a challenge from council member Steven Rovell in the 2022 nonpartisan municipal election, according to an unofficial list released by the Essex County Clerk’s Office.

In addition, four candidates have filed petitions to run for a seat on the Belleville Town Council: Naomy DePeña, Thomas Graziano, Charles Hood, and Tracy Juanita Williams.

DePeña and Graziano, who currently serve as council members, are running on the “Building a #BetterBelleville Together” slate alongside Melham. Williams, a local board of education trustee, and Hood, a longtime Belleville resident, are running on the “Belleville Families First” slate alongside Rovell.

Belleville’s local election will take place on Tuesday, May 10. Candidates do not declare political parties in a nonpartisan election.

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MICHAEL MELHAM

Melham was elected as mayor in 2018, defeating incumbent Raymond Kimble. He’s running on the “Building a #BetterBelleville Together” platform.

According to the municipal website:

“Michael Melham was born and raised in Belleville and is a graduate of the Belleville Public School System. He received a BA in Communications from William Paterson University and is seeking a Masters in City & Regional Planning. An established entrepreneur and local government communications professional, Michael previously served as a Councilman of Belleville from 2000 to 2004 and returned to public service in 2018 when he was elected Mayor. A firm believer in a #BetterBelleville, Michael has been investing in the prosperity of his hometown for many years. In 2005 he founded AlphaDog Solutions, a local government communications company, and set up shop not far from his childhood home. He continues to invest in Belleville and owns several properties throughout the Township.”

STEVEN ROVELL

Rovell currently serves as the council representative for the 2nd Ward. He is running on the slogan “Belleville Families First.”

According to the municipal website:

“Steven Rovell is a lifelong, third generation resident of Belleville. His family has served the community in many capacities over the last 80 years. After graduating from Belleville High School (’72), he went on to do his undergraduate work at Rutgers University’s College Of Engineering. There he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering (BSME). He then went on to Stevens Institute of Technology where he earned a Master of Science Degree in Management (MSM). He brings over 25 years of business, management, and technical experience to the council. This includes a Certification as a Project Management Professional (PMP). Steve is a technology professional who has worked for organizations from startups to Fortune 100 companies. After selling his childhood home on DeWitt Avenue, he moved to his new home in Belleville’s Second Ward. He has been married for over 20 years to his wife Susan (Antolini). They have two sons James (BHS ’06) and Steven (BHS ’09) who have attended Belleville Schools. As President of the Bellwood Civic Association, Trustee to The Belleville Foundation, as well as a former member of the Belleville Baseball Commission, Athletic Council, and Belleville Board of Education’s Council on Visual and Performing Arts, he has confirmed his commitment to Belleville’s Future. He believes that Belleville residents have a right to be proud of their community.”

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