VILLAS – As part of Lower Township’s series “Meet the Council,” Council Member Thomas Conrad answered the following questions about himself and his work.
1. Please state your name, age, area of the township that you reside and the ward you represent.
Thomas Conrad, 51, of Villas and represents Ward 1.
2. Have you served in local government before and if so, how many years of experience do you have?
I have been on Township Council since Jan 1, 2007.
3. Please list any educational or professional certifications. Please name any community organizations that you may belong to.
I’ve served on the Lower Township Rescue Squad, EMT for over 30 years in Lower, Scoutmaster (Adult Leader since 2007, Scoutmaster in 2013), coach/umpire with Lower Cape Little League from 1998 – 2013 and coached youth soccer in the township.
I’ve also completed training for newly elected officials, annual JIF training, ethics classes, classes on budgets plus attend yearly League of Municipalities Conferences.
4. What was a deciding factor for you to get involved in local government?
Getting the streets repaired in 1998, there was a list, but my neighborhood had some of the worst streets in the Township, and we were at the bottom of the list. It was dangerous for my children to even try and ride a bicycle on my street, there were potholes everywhere and weeds in the middle of the street. When it rained the street flooded and I had to make a bridge for my daughter to get on her school bus. I decided to go to Council meetings, with proof and valid arguments and work on our streets were moved up. That work was noticed by others who then asked me to start getting involved and help with requests for Sheridan Tract to receive water and sewer from the MUA. When the sitting Council person stepped down I was asked to take his place, and won. Since then I have kept the belief of keeping taxes down but maintaining the service and making Lower Township a better place to live.
5. What do you want to achieve during your council career?
Keep taxes as low as possible, fix our infrastructure in a planned manner and make this a great place to live for all residents. I want to see my grandchildren grow up here with great opportunities.
6. In your opinion, what issue or project is should be a priority for the Lower Township Council to address in 2017?
I would like to see the Coastal Resiliency Study completed so that we can address some of the ground water flooding on the north and eastern sides of Villas be addressed. Reality is we need to start getting some of the worse streets repaved, and repair any storm drain issues on those streets. This should also be done with cooperation with the MUA, as we have now started to do on projects, so that any of their old pipes can also be replaced for sewer and water when we have the streets being repaired. We are working on making our emergency services more efficient with the county dispatch, and modernizing and repairing our police station in a manner to save money. Other than that I would like to see more projects to make Lower Township safer, and more enjoyable for the residents and visitors.
7. What project/event/issue are you most looking forward to working on/attending/addressing in 2017?
I’m also looking forward to the Roseanne Avenue being finished. I’m looking forward to the Villas Bayfront access points being completed and hopefully get some more benches up, with trashcans, so people can enjoy our sunsets.
8. What project/event/issue provides the greatest challenge?
FEMA maps which are possibly going to cause in issue/increase for our residents, in which we are still fighting but have had to take a different approach. We believe this will work, but it is going to take time. Also looking at lowering the water level of Fishing Creek. Since about 1993 the water level has been allowed to increase there, and we have since seen an increase in ground water flooding, as the water has nowhere else to go. Hopefully with the completion of the Coastal Resiliency Study we will have some solid scientific evidence to correct this problem.
9. What is an area/event/attraction of the township that you most enjoy? What places/activities/events do you think our residents and visitors should take special notice of in 2017?
The Lower Township free summer concert series that is held in conjunction with the Delaware River & Bay Authority. At first thought they were simply a good idea, something that people may enjoy. It was not a good idea, it was a great idea. Every year we have added another concert, added artists, and rotated some of the others. It is a great time for all, and the cost to the township is very reasonable. People need to stop and look around, check out our recreation facilities, we offer a wide variety of things to do. Sunsets, we have the best views from our Bay beaches. Nature, check out any of the preserve or management areas in the township (or look out into your backyard). Food, check out our restaurants. Free activities for the families or anyone, we have the concerts, the Independence Day fireworks, youth sports, the Escape the Cape Triathlon. We live in a great place, enjoy it.
10. Can you give a brief example of when you felt a strong sense of Lower Township pride?
Lower Township takes care of itself during weather events. We may get help sometimes, with some things, but our emergency services really come to the forefront during these times. The level of cooperation between the Police, Fire Departments, the Rescue Squad, Public Works and other volunteers really make this happen. The Township is doing everything they can now to help this and keep it going. Neighbors helping neighbors, assisting one another during these events, it makes you realize that you do live in a community.
11. Do you have any hobbies, areas of interest that you would care to mention?
Working with our youth, now mainly with the Boy Scouts, but I do support all of our youth activities. I love coaching, and hopefully will be able to go back to that in the future. I am highly interested in nature, and protecting our natural resources here, so that the next generation can also enjoy them. History is also important, and we have a great history here, dating back well before the Revolutionary War, which we are now trying to better protect.
12. If you’d like to introduce your immediate family to the residents, please list their names.
My wife of almost 28 years Stacey. My four children, Brittany, Kaitlyn, Courtney and Erik. My now 5 grandchildren, Kassadie, Brent Jr., Marley, Alex, and Giulianna. I have 2 dogs, and somehow inherited a lizard when my son went to college.
13. How can the Lower Township residents that you serve best get in touch with you to communicate a question, kudos or concern?
Official email for Township business is tconrad@townshipoflower.org , the Lower Township cellphone is 609-780-0802. Leave a message, I will get back to you as soon as able or have an answer. If necessary leave a message with the Clerk’s or Manager’s office for me.
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