Voters to Determine Green Brook Committee's Control Tuesday

Republican incumbent Township Committee members Pat Boccio and Ken Herrmann are hoping to keep their seats on the committee after Tuesday's voting, where they face challenges from Democrats David Breen and Tom Tsivgas.

Should Breen and Tsivgas both win, the Democrats will take control of the Township Committee in January when they join current Committeeman Eddie Pfeifer.

But that's a tough road: Republicans have been outpolling Democrats in recent elections, although Democrats did have committee control for a few years in the mid-2000s. 

The party controlling the Township Committee determines who is named mayor, determines appointments for many municipal posts and sets many township priorities. 

Voters have focused on local property tax increases as the primary issue in the race, a perennial election topic, and should Breen and Tsivgas win, they've said they would work to increase the amount of funding in grants the township receives.

For their part, Boccio—who is serving as the township's deputy mayor—and Herrmann point out the current committee has cut a number of township expenses in its bid to minimize tax increases. In response to resident Diane Eisen's questions on recent tax increases at Township Committee meetings, Boccio said the township has eliminated six fulltime and two part-time positions. 

They note significant drops in state aid have hindered efforts at reducing taxes, also.

Breen, the chief of the Green Brook Fire-EMS, and Tsivgas have been endorsed by the local police union.

Voters will also fill three seats on the Green Brook Board of Education, and current board members Stephanie R. Green, of Ridge Road, and Warrenville Road resident Bruce Martins filed for re-election. Current board member Randi Friedman did not file—Blue Hills Terrace resident Lisa Couch will also be on the ballot, giving her an edge in filling Friedman's post.

Ballots will be open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., with .