Mayoral Candidates Address Property Taxes, Mobile Command Center During Forum

Mayoral incumbent, Andy Skibitsky and Councilman, Dave Haas, sounded off at Thursday’s evening mayoral debate of the candidates forum hosted by The Westfield Leader and TV36.

Skibtisky and Haas disagreed on issues concerning property revaluations, the mobile command center, transparency, legal fees and mandating a term limit for town officials. However, the two did agree on wanting to officiate same-sex marriages and never implementing red light cameras in Westfield.

The moderator asked Skibitsky if he believed that with the rising number of tax appeals, if the town should consider doing property reevaluations throughout Westfield.

Skibitsky explained that during an economic downturn, tax appeals are bound to happen. He added that nearly 16.8 percent of residents’ tax dollars actually go to the town of Westfield, while the majority goes towards the county. If Westfield were to do a reevaluation, the town would absorb all of the costs.

Haas agreed in the sentiment that Westfield should not have to pay for reevaluations, but suggested that the town needs to look to the county to do a reevaluation of all towns.

The issue of transparency also came up during the forum, to which Skibitsky said it  is just a buzz word and he is the most transparent Westfield has ever had.

Skibitsky said that he was the first mayor to bring power point presentations of the budget to the meeting, where only two residents would show up.

“I think the reason is they trust us,” he said.

He added that during his Saturday morning office hours where hundred of residents have approached him over the years, transparency was not once brought up as an issue.

Haas said he believes that issues should return to the public forum, especially budget situations.  He added that instead of just, “we had to make hard choices,” to show residents what the tradeoffs were and why cuts were needed. Additionally, Haas said that liaisons to committees, commissions or boards should present their reports in a public meeting.

“Those meetings (conference meetings) have essentially been made glorified agenda sessions… that should change.”

Would the town be ready for another weather emergency? The moderator asked both candidates.

Skibitsky referenced how he was commended by the state of New Jersey for his work during Sandy. Adding that Westfield was minimally damaged

Haas explained that there was both things Westfield did right and wrong in the wake of Sandy. He said the backup generator was a good and necessary purchase, but maintaining older trees in the town and having residents also maintain those trees is an area where the town needs improvement.

Additionally, Haas said he feels the mobile command center was an unnecessary purchase where he has yet to find an example of when Westfield would need it.  The town could have spent $50,000 on a mobile backup generator rather than a quarter-million dollar mobile command center.

“The question then becomes what’s going to wipe out our town hall and everybody around us’ ability to use their police station," he said. "There’s a lot of things that could close town hall, but it’s hard to think of things that will close town hall and close the county facility in our town and close Cranford and close Garwood and wipe out the county.”

He ended his answer to the question by saying each municipality does not need a mobile command center and the necessity of it should be regional decision.

Skibitsky explained that just this past week the county’s center was not working when a nearby town asked to use it and they were directed to use Westfield’s. See Skibitsky’s rebuttal, here.

When asked if he would officiate same sex ceremonies in Westfield, Skibitsky announced that he officiated his first same sex marriage in Westfield on Thursday between a couple he previously officiated a civil union ceremony for. He explained that the legalization of same sex marriage was a historic in New Jersey and he is happy to marry any couple in New Jersey.

Haas also expressed that he is in full support of same sex marriage ceremonies and looks forward to officiating ceremonies, if elected.

“I think that when two people get together and commit their lives to each other for eternity that’s an incredibly power beautiful and moving movement and to be a part of that for either a gay couple or a heterosexual couple would an immense honor and privilege,” he said.

Both candidates both agreed they would never implement red light cameras in Westfield because that is just a hidden tax.

However, Haas and Skibitsky took entirely different views on town legal costs and term limits for elected officials.

Haas pointed out that the town has never put out a request for proposal on legal services so the town does not know if they could be getting a better deal. Skibitsky commended the town’s legal experts and explained that legal fees account for less than one percent of the town’s expenses.

Lastly, Skibitsky said he would never want to hinder a voter’s ability to whoever they feel will serve Westfield best. Haas felt that the town should follow tradition and not let officials serve more than two consecutive two-year terms. He explained that with someone new, new ideas and new energy is brought to the town.

Haas said, “in a small town like ours, the mayor and council should be volunteers, rather than career politicians.”

The debate also featured a forum of council candidates, which we’ll feature more tomorrow. Check back with Patch for more election coverage!