Another Form of Government Needed in Middle Twp.

To the Editor: 
The residents of a community deserve to have an elected representative from their neighborhood, a person who lives and understands the local issues. In Middle Township, we’ve had a three-member Township Committee since 1798, where only a small amount of residents then resided. There are now 18 voting districts, now with around 19,000 residents, and still only three Township Committee members. In 1990, we created a full-time administrator to manage and address the everyday growing issues. It just became too much for the mayor and committee members to properly address the needs of the diverse community.
It is now time to perform a “Charter Study Commission” to research other forms of government to better address all 72-square-mile taxpayers. I would suggest a government with six Council members who would be elected from every three contiguous voting districts. Example is Rio Grande, we have three voting districts, and then we would have an elected representative. Also, in my opinion„ the mayor would run at large township wide. For information on the types of “forms of NJ governments,” go to the New Jersey League of Municipality website.
Currently, over 218 years later, we still have a three-member governing body who all reside in Court House. This is not an attack on the three members currently serving; it’s the form of government that’s not working. We currently compensate each member $17,500, plus other miscellaneous expenses. Under a new form, we could reduce compensation and have local representation in all areas.
Recently Committee member Tim Donohue stated that maybe we should be looking into increasing the Committee to five members. Increasing to five doesn’t change a thing; all could also live in the same neighborhood! If you agree with me, then get involved and let your governing body hear from you!