Take Five With Millburn Twp. Committee Candidate Tara Prupis

MILLBURN, NJ - Patch asked Millburn Township Committee Candidate Tara Prupis to take five with us and share some thoughts on the city, the campaign and beyond. Her answers are below, with minor courtesy edits for style.

1. Why are you running for office?

I am running for Township Committee to Move Millburn Forward toward a vibrant, diverse and responsive community. Unfortunately, the approach that has dominated local government in Millburn is broken. Residents don’t feel like their voices are being heard and taxes and wasteful spending continue to climb. I believe that, together, we can change that. We have some of the smartest, most creative people in the country living right here in Millburn. Why would we want to shut them out? We should listen to our residents concerns, but further, we should tap into that amazing resource for great analysis and ideas. I’m going to work to bring people together to solve our problems and address our issues collaboratively.

2. What is the biggest challenge you see facing your community and how will you address it?

Like all communities, Millburn has challenges but we also have incredible resources. That said, a major challenge that will become very clear when residents file their tax returns in 2019 is the fact that homeowners can no longer deduct the full amount of their property taxes. Millburn property taxes are high. We must do everything we can to make local government more efficient and implement smarter planning to avoid expensive issues. We can do more to work with our partners at the county to bring more of our tax dollars back to Millburn. We contribute a higher share of Essex County’s budget than other similar towns like Livingston, but little has been done to engage with the County. That’s not acceptable. I have built relationships with the County Executive and many of the Freeholders. I will push to make sure Millburn gets back its fair share and develop shared services agreements reduce the burden on taxpayers. Municipal spending needs to be overseen with a much keener eye. The multi-million dollar Complete Streets overhaul of the downtown has gone dramatically over budget, using up almost all the money borrowed for all three phases in just phase one. Part of the construction was approved without even getting an estimate from the construction company. What’s worse is, some members of Township Committee seem set on proceeding with the project without taking a thorough inventory of what is working, what isn’t and exactly how much was spent. To me, that is the definition of fiscal irresponsibility. Expensive litigation also costs the Township unnecessary millions. The case of the house built in Old Short Hills Park and the federal civil rights case regarding zoning for a synagogue sent exorbitant amounts of our tax dollars to lawyers and settlements. These were losers for Millburn taxpayers. I will actively seek to solve problems with compromise and reason, trying to head them off before they get out of hand and looking for cost effective solutions.

3. What makes you the right person to vote for as opposed to the other candidate(s)? What do you bring to the table that others don't?

We don’t have any business owners who understand working within a budget and good customer service on the Township Committee. I own Green Nectar Juicery in Downtown Millburn. My focus will be using my business experience to bring a positive change to Millburn through good planning, good budgeting and good customer service. I believe on standing up on your record. My opponent and I have a very different conception of how local government should work. I believe that big decisions should be carefully vetted and that we need to take a more proactive approach to planning. My opponent, has demonstrated that she is willing to spend taxpayer dollars without careful thought or reflection. I believe that we need to welcome and incorporate feedback from residents and stakeholders. My opponent has shown that she believes, despite frustration with a variety of issues in town, the Township Committee knows best, and not members of our community. It is okay to have differences. Choice is what makes democracy work and elections are about presenting those choices to voters. We’ve run a campaign based on issues and solutions and not personal attacks that seem to have permeated our political culture. As a Township Committee member, I hope voters will evaluate me on my record and on the results. Millburn is a premier town and it should be run that way. Millburn deserves better and, together, we can get the job done.

4. What will you do to facilitate communication with the community?

Sadly, the current Township Committee on which my opponent sits, is resolutely unwilling to listen to the community. Comments at Township Committee meetings are limited and timed with a buzzer going off after the allotted time, regardless of whether or not the resident has finished speaking. Emails go days without response, if they get a response at all. Residents clamoring for ad-hoc committees to provide input are rebuffed. This has to change. Township Committee members and the Township Administrator should respond to resident’s concerns and issues within 24 hours. People need to be allowed to speak at meetings. We should not only allow but solicit resident input through committees that address the major issues in town. The heart of good management is two-way communication. Residents need to be listened to and valued and town leadership needs to communicate clearly and often. With my store in Downtown Millburn, I am literally on the ground in town. I am accessible and available. I will hold office hours outside of Township Committee meetings, so residents can provide feedback on their schedule. I am always in town and open to conversation and believe we need more of it.

5. What inspires you?

There are many things that inspire me. One thing is our natural spaces in Millburn. One of the reasons I moved to Millburn was because of Taylor Park and the gorgeous South Mountain Reservation. These are a two of the incredible assets that make Millburn so special. We are located in a charming community with exceptional schools, talented residents and a thriving arts scene including the Paper Mill, conveniently located on the train line to New York City, and yet we can enjoy rose gardens and wooded paths, butterflies and birds. Another thing is the fresh energy and spirit that I’ve encountered in our civic life. I’ve had the privilege of meeting Millburn residents of all ages who want to make a difference in their community. The mom who wants a better life for her daughter, the grandparent who wants to leave their community better than they’ve found it and the young person who is getting involved for the first time to blaze a path toward a brighter future for their peers. They inspire and motivate me. We are truly blessed to live in Millburn and I am inspired by the opportunity to Move Millburn Forward.

(Photo courtesy of Tara Prupis)

Editor's Note: Patch has reached out to every candidate that has filed to run for office and is publishing all responses received. If a candidate does not have a story on the site it is because they did not respond. Those with questions are encouraged to contact russ.crespolini@patch.com