Incumbents Only Candidates in Watchung Primary

Watchung Borough Council members Thomas Franklin and Debra Joren filed to run for re-election in the hope of retaining their expiring seats on the council, the only borough residents to file for the primary ballot in June.

Both are long-time members of the Borough Council. Franklin moved to Watchung with his wife, Lynn, in 1993 before getting elected to the council in 2000, where he has served most of his time as the chairman of the Administration and Finance Committee.

Joren, the current council president, was elected to the council in 2003 and has served on numerous committees, including Laws & Ordinances, Administration & Finance, the Police and Fire Commissions, the Public Works Committee, the 2006 Ness Preservation Committee and the 2007 School Funding Committee. Joren has served stints on the borough’s Zoning Board of Adjustment and Environmental Commission, as well.

After all these years, Joren is still excited to be a part of the local government here in Watchung.

“I've enjoyed the time I have spent on the Borough Council,” Joren said. “I feel, in these days, public service can get a bad rap, but I truly feel it is an honor to be elected and have the opportunity to give back to my community.”

Franklin, also an active member of the community, gives back in a different way: he and his wife have adopted a total of five dogs from area rescue shelters.

“Our nest is not empty since we have five adopted dogs from various rescues, all of whom are grateful to have a good home for life,” Franklin said.

As it pertains to the issues facing Watchung, Franklin and Joren both seem to have similar priorities.

“Some of the important issues for me are as follows: Maintaining the full functionality of borough services to our residents while remaining within out state-mandated budget caps, maintaining infrastructure, such as roads and completion of sanitary sewer utility for all residents and public water utility wherever possible for residents desiring it, good fiscal management through creative sound budgeting and sharing services with other governmental entities wherever possible, and encouraging a spirit of community among our residents through participation on borough committees and in borough events,” Franklin said.

“Keeping our municipal budget down while continuing to provide those services that our residents have come to expect is probably the most important issue that continually faces the borough,” Joren added.  “As revenues shrink, caps are in place and costs continue to rise, it is a constant battle and juggling act to put together a budget that provides the quality of life measures that are important, without placing too much of a burden on our taxpayers. 

"We continue to look for ways to share services with other municipalities, our school board and Somerset County,” she added.

Joren also extended major kudos to the borough’s Department of Public Works, with whom she has worked while serving on the Public Works Committee throughout her most recent term.

“Being on the Public Works Committee this term has made me even more aware of what it takes to keep our roads paved, our gutters cleaned, our public open space maintained and our streets plowed,” Joren said. “The list goes on and on, but the Public Works department is really the backbone of the town.”