Meet the candidates for Somerville mayor and where they stand on the issues
It's a rematch that has been two decades in the making.
Somerville Mayor Dennis Sullivan, a Democrat, is being challenged by former Republican mayor and Somerset County Freeholder Brian Gallagher for the four-year term, in a battle of two political veterans who have dominated Somerville's politics in the 21st century.
Their rivalry began in 2003 when Gallagher defeated Sullivan by three votes for the mayoralty.
Eight years later in 2011, Gallagher defeated Sullivan by a 1,389-926 margin in the mayor's race.
Sullivan was elected mayor in a special election in 2018 when Gallagher was elected to the Somerset County Board of Freeholders.
Sullivan won a full four-year term as mayor in 2019 while Gallagher lost his bid for reelection as freeholder in 2020.
Despite the longtime rivalry, this year's campaign, like the tradition in Somerville, has been quiet with none of the vitriol that characterizes contests in some other Central Jersey towns. Legitimate disagreements over issues, not personalities, dominate the discussions.
The candidates in Somerville spend their spare time going door to door and, unlike many politicians, spend more time listening than talking.
That's the way politics is practiced in Somerville.
Even if Gallagher and his ticket wins the mayoralty and two Borough Council seats, Democrats will still hold a majority on the Borough Council.
Brian Gallagher (R)
Age: 59
Years residing in town: 32 years
Previous government service (boards and elected office): Mayor 2004-2018, Somerset County freeholder 2018-2020, Somerville Borough Council, Somerville Fire Commissioner, Somerville Emergency Services Committee. Somerville Library Board, Somerville Planning Board, Somerset County Planning Board, Regional Center Partnership.
Volunteer activities: Somerville Elks; Ancient Order of Hibernians; 200 Club of Union County, past president
Why are you running for mayor?
We live in “2.5 square miles of awesome!” My message is one of positive vision, leadership on tough issues, and dedication to our families, friends, and neighbors throughout Somerville. What we do as a community has but one guiding principle and that is to provide for a safe, secure, diverse, affordable, and wonderful home for our children, our families, our friends, and our neighbors in Somerville.
Over the years, Somerville has crafted an incredible, wonderful story of how opportunity is created from the challenges we face. How optimism and a sense of “we can” is paramount. The test of good government is not in how we react immediately to the challenges we face, but how we move forward from them. I choose to lead forward with conviction of purpose, and that is what makes my policies different from others. Our charge as leaders is to preserve and protect the great spirit we have in Somerville, to nurture it for future generations. I love Somerville, and I will work tirelessly to ensure that we maintain the quality of life that our citizens deserve.
What we accomplished in my 14 years as mayor has transformed Somerville into a destination to live, work, and visit. Working across party lines, we engineered a renaissance of Somerville that will continue to benefit the residents of our community for decades to come However, the evolution of our borough is never done. The unprecedented growth over the past few years requires the same visionary efforts that we employed while I was mayor, to ensure that the growth is positive and that we are prepared to accommodate that growth. I became involved 20 years ago when the then mayor and council were not paying attention to the issues and needs of Somerville, essentially outsourcing the decision making to the administrative staff. Sadly, I see that same attitude arising again, and that cannot happen.
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Why should people vote for you instead of your opponent?
My opponent has been a colleague for decades. Working together while I was mayor, many goals were accomplished for the well-noted renaissance. Since I left the mayor’s chair, the borough has developed no vision for the future. The current mayor and council have sustained growth without looking to the future to accommodate that growth. They took the playbook created, without adapting the redevelopment plans, or the master plan, to the many changes that have occurred.
After talking to residents, what is their biggest concern, other than property taxes?
People are concerned that the borough is not prepared to welcome the potential 4,000 new residents that will be calling Somerville home when all the current development is completed. There is great concern for safety, traffic, parking, homelessness, public works, and all the other essential services that must be planned for in the coming years.
In addition, they want to know where PILOT money is being spent. With the influx of revenue to the borough, this question has come up door after door. When elected, I will throw the door open on the borough’s finances. We will complete a deep dive on where the money has been spent over the past five years, and how it will be spent in the future.
What are the three biggest challenges facing your town and what is the best approach to solving them?
Somerville’s future. With the addition of new housing, and the potential of up to 4,000 new residents, it is important to plan for the increased burden on infrastructure, essential services, and our retail base (vacant storefronts). I will propose a task force made up of Council members, stakeholder residents, and county officials to form a long-range economic development plan. This will include a 10-year infrastructure improvement plan for every part of our borough. We will also revisit our redevelopment and master plans, and a make a significant revision to our community development and code office to enable easier, informative, friendlier, and less costly investment in your own property We will also bring Borough Hall into the current century with a linked computer system to enhance communication among borough employees while facilitating communication between Somerville residents and services provided in Borough Hall.
Somerville’s safety and quality of life: The first job of the mayor is to ensure the safety of Somerville’s residents. Many of the quality-of-life issues that our residents are frustrated with center on the many aspects of safety. Pedestrian safety, traffic speed, emergency management during storm and other emergency events, increased homeless issues, rise in graffiti, condition of our parks and trails, communication from Borough Hall, and the list goes on. These different issues require different solutions, but all relate to a safer and better community for all of Somerville. As for pedestrian safety and traffic speed, police presence is the number one solution, along with a vibrant information campaign, a reduction in tickets being issued, and creating an awareness to slow down. I will tap our county government resources to address core issues and get the mental health and addiction services to the people that need this help the most. Every council meeting should address one of our core issues in Somerville, it should not be to try and get out of the meeting as quick as possible.
Somerville’s recreation: When one thinks of recreation, they typically think of children. While that is a core focus of Somerville’s recreation programming and facilities, the larger aspect should be inclusive of everyone. It is time to revisit the recreation master plan so we can evaluate our facilities, our programming, and our overall direction. This will enable a focused direction, which can then center on budgeting for facilities management, as well as obtaining potential grant funding. I would also work with our stakeholders and county partners to develop a small performing arts and theater venue in downtown Somerville. And I would look to establish a seniors and veterans committee out of the Recreation Department to focus specifically for the needs of these two groups.
Do you have any special projects you would like to achieve in office?
With social media and information accessibility what it is, there should be no lack of information to our residents. When our residents receive more information from our daily sanitation worker than they do from the borough, there is a problem. I will begin an immediate overhaul of our communications to our residents for a more consistent, cross-platform approach that reaches all residents, both digital and printed. I will bring back Somerville Direct, the borough app, that I had instituted, but the mayor and council did not renew I will return the Memorial Day Parade to the streets of Somerville, showing true honor to all those who have served our country. I will tirelessly go after the New Jersey Department of Transportation to increase pedestrian safety for our children at the crossing at Van Derveer School. Route 28 is a state highway, and Somerville is a walking district, our children are within inches of vehicles as they try to cross the street. I will establish flexible business district zoning to allow pop-up and short-term retail opportunities and enable our business district to better adapt to the quickly changing market demands.
Brookside Gardens was heavily damaged in the Ida flood. There was talk about rezoning and potential redevelopment. What would you like to see happen?
The core issue is not just one piece of property, it is the entire length of Peter’s Brook through Somerville. I advocated for this right after the storm, and when elected I will see it through. There needs to be a zoning review of all property along Peter’s Brook, with short-range safety solutions to reduce the danger to residents and our emergency personnel. Then, long-range zoning solutions can be implemented that solve the issues of residential and commercial properties in the flood areas. These solutions must respect the rights of private property owners and have the long-term benefit of a safer community for our borough.
The borough’s DPW building was also flooded during Ida. Should it be relocated, or should Somerville explore a shared services facility agreement with Somerset County?
I will discuss shared services with any, and all government entities under all circumstances. Regarding DPW, the policy was in place while I was mayor, that with impending large storms all equipment would be moved off site before any damage could be done. Somerville has ample temporary locations to store the equipment. This was admittedly not done by my opponent during Ida, and in fact, no meetings at all were had to discuss the coming storm. The borough needs to move our DPW out of the flood plain. There are several potential properties available in Somerville that could potentially house a relocated DPW.
Somerville has been successful in its redevelopment efforts. Do you think the town has reached its tipping point in redevelopment?
Before that question can be answered completely, Somerville must determine the impact that the current development will have on our resources and quality of life. Since I left office five years ago, the current mayor and council have not reviewed the master plan or our redevelopment plans, and that is a mistake. All plans must evolve, as new projects come online, the other redevelopment plans must be a evaluated for their relevancy, and density in light of current development. I have proposed a task force to begin to address these issues and will task the Planning Board to immediately undertake these reviews
Dennis Sullivan (D)
Age: 74
Years residing in town: 45
Previous government service (boards and elected office): Somerville Board of Health (1994), Somerville Borough Council 1995-2003, 2005-2018.
Volunteer activities: Somerville Little League, Friends of the Somerville Public Library, Friends of the Wallace House and Old Dutch Parsonage, Somerville High School Music Boosters
Why are you running for mayor?
I am a proven community leader who has earned and kept the trust of Somerville residents over many years. I have the experience and work ethic needed to continue Somerville’s continued success in the years ahead, and along the way I have developed strong working relationships with elected officials at various levels of government to bring additional resources to Somerville. Whether it is helping people with everyday issues or planning for Somerville’s future, I am an effective, accessible, and accountable problem solver.
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Why should people vote for you instead of your opponent?
In my 28 years in office, I have worked alongside and have learned from four mayors and countless councilmembers of both political parties. I draw from this experience when unique challenges arise, as happened when the uncertainties of COVID and the effects Ida threatened Somerville. With the support of borough employees, volunteers and the 12,000 people who live here, our town rallied as one and emerged stronger than ever. Somerville is taking the lead in promoting sound environmental initiatives in alternative energy and caring for the environment, and I am especially proud of my endorsement for reelection by the League of Conservation Voters.
After talking to residents, what is their biggest concern, other than property taxes?
Some people are concerned with the growth of Somerville resulting from the many new redevelopment projects completed, in progress or proposed. Change, although inevitable and often unpredictable, can be beneficial to a community if properly planned for and managed. It requires strong local leaders to accomplish this, and I am confident that my team will continue to sustain Somerville’s recent momentum.
What are the three biggest challenges facing your town and what is the best approach to solving them?
Maintaining our infrastructure is a top priority. Roads, curbs and drainage projects will be of primary focus. Restoration of both Walnut Street and Chambers parks will enhance recreational opportunities for children and adults alike. Pedestrian safety will be improved through improved signage, traffic calming measures, and continued speed limit enforcement.
Do you have any special projects you would like to achieve in office?
I would like to explore a shuttle bus route that would link key areas in town. I have had preliminary discussions with some of our large developers to make this happen. I hope to break ground on the solar farm proposed on the old landfill site sometime in 2024, and I look forward to the day when I can announce that the Motor Vehicle office on Roosevelt Place finally leaves Somerville. In addition, we will begin public discussion on the ultimate sale of the police station property on South Bridge Street once we move that operation to Gaston Avenue next fall.
Brookside Gardens was heavily damaged in the Ida flood. There was talk about rezoning and potential redevelopment. What would you like to see happen?
Some of the damaged garden apartments are being rebuilt and should reopen soon. Any new proposals will be carefully evaluated by state, county, and local land use boards to ensure compliance with updated regulations while being sensitive to community needs and the welfare of current and future residents.
The borough’s DPW building was also flooded during Ida. Should it be moved or should Somerville explore a shared services facility agreement with Somerset County?
We are currently looking at alternate sites within Somerville and in neighboring communities. There is also the possibility of entering into a shared service agreement if a viable partner can be found. In the meantime, we will continue to provide leaf pickup, chipping, snow plowing and other key services that Somerville residents expect and deserve.
Somerville has been successful in its redevelopment efforts. Do you think the town has reached its tipping point in redevelopment?
The various new projects have transformed former contaminated, underutilized, and undesirable properties into vibrant sites that attract private investment and produce significant new revenue that has stabilized municipal taxes. There remain several sites of concern that should be cleaned up with private capital and developed with complementary uses.
Email: mdeak@mycentraljersey.com
Mike Deak is a reporter for mycentraljersey.com. To get unlimited access to his articles on Somerset and Hunterdon counties, please subscribe or activate your digital account today
This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: Somerville NJ mayor election candidate profiles
