Ferramosca faces Hanover Township election challenges

A third candidate is also running, Independent Lois DeCaro.

Ferramosca said under his leadership, Hanover remains number one in Morris County with the lowest taxes when combined with quality of services.

Hanover boasts a tax rate of $1.757 per $100 of assessed valuation, third lowest tax rate in Morris County, he said.

“Over the past eight years, Hanover has experienced the lowest municipal tax increases thanks to the addition of corporate retail leaders like Bayer, MetLife, Novartis,  Barclays Bank, Wegmans and ShopRite,” he said.

Ferramosca said he supports increased recreational activities, athletic programs and has championed county grant assistance for trails and parks.

“Hanover remains the only township in the county with no bonded debt, top municipal services, fine and blue ribbon schools, he added.

Ferramosca serves as director of Planning and Engineering, director of Economic Development, is liaison to the Environmental Commission and is a member of the Hanover Green Team.

He said his major focus will be to, “Keep Hanover taxes low, maintain top quality municipal services and recreation programs, promote public safety, invest in our infrastructure with an emphasis on roads and re-develop the Route 10 corridor.”

He is also a major supporter of the strategic acquisition of open space such as the 75-plus acres from the Route 24 state-owned tract along with recreation expansions at Bee Meadow and Malapardis parks.

Ferramosca was successful in leading a countywide referendum initiative to allow municipalities to use Morris County open space funds for trail path grants.

“Hanover has reversed the terrible economic situation back in ’09 to an economically strong and vibrant community with quality services and one of the lowest tax rates free of long-term debt in Morris County,” he said. “My goal is to continue to work with the Township Committee and various boards and commissions to help Keep Hanover a great, affordable place to live, work and play. This is an important election and it is critically important for everyone to vote.”

He is the CEO of Edgewood Consulting, a management strategy firm. He resides in the Cedar Knolls section of the township with his wife Cathy and son. Ferramosca is an active member of Notre Dame Parish on Ridgedale Avenue and the Knights of Columbus.

His Democratic challenger, David Rubin of Appleton Way,  who also ran for committee in 2011, is running a most unusual campaign.

“I don’t have any issues,”  he said. “I think the township is running smoothly. I’m just offering another choice.”

Rubin is retired from the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, is director of Safety Services and is district compliance officer for the Belleville Public Schools District where he is responsible for the oversight of Safety Services Operations and personnel, school safety and security drills and other duties and acts as a liaison to the Belleville Police Department and school resource officers.

He is divorced and lives on Eden Lane and has two children, Nicolette, 20, and Michael, 17, who is at Whippany Park High School.

There is also a third candidate in the race, Lois DeCaro of Park Avenue.

DeCaro has been a real estate broker for 20 years and heads up The Lois DeCaro Team of Fathom Realty N.J.

She is a lifelong resident of the township.

”I love this town,” she said. “It has great services, great ratables. I want to see it remain a good place to live. I’m concerned we don’t get overdeveloped.”

She say she is a believer in “smart growth” and is not opposed to all development. Her own property backs up to Whippany Crossing, a 24-unit townhouse development nearing completion at the corner of Whippany Road and Park Avenue that was once a largely vacant 8-acre tract except for the land’s then owner, the Emmanuel Presbyterian Church across from Monroe Hall on Whippany Road.

She said she is satisfied with the development.

DeCaro said she will not vote party, only issues.