MEET PETE: Peter Cammarano, Democratic Candidate for Borough Council

SERVICE IN STATE GOVERNMENT

Pete served the State of NJ for 15 years in the legislative and executive branches, where he was Chief of Staff for Acting Governor Richard Codey. When asked how his tenure in Trenton benefits Metuchen, Pete acknowledges that his vast knowledge of state government, his understanding of how it works and how each department functions, have already been put to use.  "I've been able to cut through some red tape" he said.  Believing his personal connections are less important than his understanding of how things work and "what's out there," he has been helpful in communicating with the Departments of Community Affairs and Transportation and the Board of Public Utilities on behalf of the town

Pete is familiar with the state budget and "where the pots of money are" including grants.  In fact, Pete was instrumental in helping Metuchen acquire the $250,000 state grant to help build the Y-extension Wellness Center at Metuchen High.  "One of Governor Codey's initiatives was fighting childhood obesity.  Metuchen got the grant for the fitness center because of the innovative collaboration between the schools and the community.  It was a viable program," he said.  Of course, having a citizen with one eye on Trenton and the other on Metuchen didn't hurt.

MAIN STREET

Believing in a strong Main Street, Pete sees bringing a retail component to the downtown area as the most vital element for our town's success.  "We need to figure out what to do to draw retail business into town.  When I was a kid delivering papers, I walked my route through all of the stores - Morris Stores, Marmax Shoes, Mili dress shop, there was a lot of retail activity," he recalls.  "I realize things changed with the advent of enclosed malls and strip malls but there are things we need to bring back.  Some people prefer an individual smaller store because it's quicker and easier." 

"I think Main Street is the heart of our town.  It's our claim to fame.  When I travel through NJ and tell people where I'm from, their first response is 'oh, that's such a nice downtown'" said Pete, who is currently reviewing zoning requirements that may impede business growth, such as the Change of Use filing currently required if a new business is not the same business as the prior occupant.  He supports looking into how we can entice clothing retailers into town.  "One of the problems we're facing is that the existing stores may not necessarily meet the special requirements of chains - either the space isn't large enough or laid out just right" he's found "but moving in the direction of Pearl Street redevelopment, we can build that  with the needs of the smaller scale retail shops in mind.  We need to look at whatever it is that will bring people to town."

RENAISSANCE DEVELOPMENT PROJECT

And does Pete think the planned Renaissance Development project will bring people to town?  "Yes, I have a very public record on this project.  I was on the Planning Board and voted for it.  I support it."    Happy for the 15+ hours of public discussion on the project, Pete acknowledges that some people feel it was rushed.  But he explained that in reality, while the property has been in the current owners hands for 2-3 years, for over 10 years various proposed projects were rejected.  He feels strongly that the end result is one that will be good for our town, one that will enhance downtown development.  "Eventually with the Pearl Street project, we hope to tie it all in together.  I think it will be great to have a new, bigger hardware store.  The planned changes for that store will be great for the people in town.  I go there all the time. I don't want to go to Home Depot.  We talk about wanting to support local business and if local business can grow to meet all of our needs we'll be able to do just that.  This will be a great complement to our town."

TRAFFIC

But does he think the new development will worsen an already heavy traffic problem?  "The developer is spending over $700,000 in traffic improvements.  There will be some traffic alleviation points and many pedestrian improvements."  Pete explained that one will be to remove the cement island currently in the middle of the intersection of Lake Avenue and Route 27, enabling trucks to make an easier left onto 27 and a more efficient turn through the light. 

"We have a grant from the state to study traffic circulation.  Our traffic lights are not synchronized and some studies say we might get 17% more cars through if they were."  But Pete concedes that the biggest problem is the Route 27/287 interchange.   "We recently met with the State Commissioner of Transportation about it.  The goal is to prevent trucks from coming through town."  Trucks can't currently make the left onto Bridge Street and so they go through town and down Durham Avenue to get onto Route 287.  "We need to get them directly from 27 to 287 and while we'll get there, that project is 5-10 years out."  Pete added that The Walmart construction led to a successful lawsuit against Edison Township and that money has enabled traffic engineering studies.  The Borough is currently working with an engineer to conduct origination/destination surveys - trying to find out where trucks are coming from and going to.  "Traffic engineering is a science and anything other than smart, informed change may be a waste of time and money" he added.

When asked about ideas currently circulating to consider extending Amboy Ave beyond Lake Avenue and over the old railroad property into the industrial section of town, Pete cautions about what that flow might do to the residents of Amboy Avenue.  "It seems logical and will alleviate traffic on Route 27, but what will it do to Amboy Avenue?  Will it become a truck route or mini highway?  That's a residential street.  The last thing I'd want to do is shift the burden of traffic from one area of town to another.  It's not fair.  If trucks start using Amboy Avenue more, it would be a disaster."

POPULATION GROWTH AND YOUNG FAMILIES - THE FUTURE

Traffic and taxes are two hot-button items, for certain.  Both have a great impact on our quality of life.  And while development is good for the tax base, high density residential developments are often a burden on the school system.  "As you look around town" says Pete, "older neighborhoods are turning-over to younger families.  There are a lot of little children around and I think it's great for town.  That's what keeps us viable.  That's what keeps Metuchen, Metuchen. "

And regarding population, Pete points out that when he graduated from Metuchen High in 1982 there were 185 students, his sister's class, 10 years earlier, had almost 250.  Last year his son's 8^th grade class had only 126.  Of course, in 1982 Franklin School and Moss School still housed grammar school classes but Pete is encouraged when he sees young children moving to town.  "This is a great place for young families and it's why people want to move here."

THE POOL

Summertime was a bit less joyful for Metuchen's youth in '08 as the Metuchen Municipal Pool suffered filter woes.  When asked his opinion on whether or not he felt as though the Pool Commission acted responsibly on behalf of all members, Pete explained "The consultants did advise the commission that we could get one more year out of the filter.  We made a decision and it didn't work.  Did we make a mistake?  Maybe, I know that people were not happy.  But, the filter is now in.  We didn't do a good job of communicating with members.  The bottom line is the Borough Council is responsible.  We're the elected officials and the responsibility is ours.  The pool commissioners are all volunteers who work very hard."

As Pete travels throughout NJ he takes note of the work other communities have done.  "Some towns have done a nice job bringing business to town and others have not.  Some towns have done a terrific job at downtown or town center development and others have built nothing more than strip malls with residential space behind them - nothing that enhances the town.  We need to look at other towns to see how they've handled things."

A man with deep roots in Metuchen and an eye on how we might best work in communion with the bigger NJ community, Pete offers vast experiences in government and pledges efficient, realistic dedication to the people of Metuchen.