Tewksbury Times Voter guide
Please find below my completed answers to all of the questions presented to me by the Tewksbury Times – printed in the October 2025 edition:
The Tewksbury Times, 2025 Voter Guide
Candidate Name: Robert E. Becker
Office Sought: Tewksbury Township Committee
e-mail address: ElectRobertBecker@gmail.com
website: www.ElectBecker.org
Brief bio:
(50 words max–Tewksbury Connect may edit this)
My wife Deidre and I moved to Tewksbury in 2004 drawn to the greenery, dark skies,
peaceful cadence and ruralness. We have lived on Beavers Road since, now with our
Tibetan Terrier, Bentley.
Educated in finance and information systems, I deliver complex database and
trading solutions for Bloomberg LP.
My community service has included past roles on the Tewksbury Township Committee (2018-2020), Parks Committee, and Land Use Board along with volunteering with the Tewksbury Rescue Squad, Historical Society Garden/Barn Tours, and dog rescues. I also served you for six-years on the North Hunterdon-Voorhees School Board. Passions include pollinator gardening, beekeeping, and reading.
Questions:
WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER THE MOST IMPORTANT ISSUE FACING TEWKSBURY VOTERS THIS YEAR?
Tewksbury is facing a number of serious challenges that threaten our open spaces,
roads, and schools, especially Hovnanian’s 228-unit affordable housing developments at Halls Mill Road and the 61-units of housing zoned to be built at the Tewksbury wine/Hildebrant property in Oldwick. As your township committee member, I will continue to advocate to acquire and preserve more open spaces while being proactive in seeking your input and participation for us to address these challenges.
WHY ARE YOU RUNNING?
To lead and engage our town residents to help define, defend and set our Strategic
Priorities to manage growth and risk in rural Township, specifically:
- Managing Growth Responsibly
Our community will be impacted by large residential developments, including
Hovnanian’s 228-unit project on Halls Mill Road and the 61-unit affordable housing set aside at the Hildebrant/Tewksbury Wine property. These projects will impact our municipal budgets, K-8 school enrollment, Oldwick sewer plant and local taxes. I will ensure we proactively coordinate the impact of these developments so residents are not caught off guard by financial, regulatory or educational pressures. - Reducing Legal Risk
For more than a decade, Tewksbury has not completed its Round Three (2010)
affordable housing obligations that we committed to build behind the Oldwick
Firehouse. These delays have seen building costs double and increased the risk to Tewksbury of costly Builder’s Remedy lawsuits. I will address these obligations head-on, reducing legal risks, protecting taxpayers from increasing costs and maintaining control of our township’s future. - Plan for State mandates and Oldwick Sewer contingency
Due to the age of the Oldwick lagoon-based sewer plant and new regulations on stormwater management it is likely that the 61-units of housing planned at the Hildebrant/Tewksbury Wine property will trigger the State to mandate an expansion and upgrade of the Oldwick sewer plant. We need to have a plan in place ensuring fiscal preparedness and infrastructure readiness. - Strengthening Community Collaboration
We can improve efficiency and reduce costs by expanding shared services across the County, our school district, and neighboring municipalities. I will work to strengthen these partnerships, ensuring taxpayers receive the best value for their dollars. - Expanding Open Space Acquisition
I am committed to accelerating open space acquisition. Preserving land not only keeps Tewksbury’s rural charm intact but also gives us more control over our future. Together, we can ensure that we Keep Tewksbury, Tewksbury and preserve our quaintness.
WHAT SPECIFIC MEASURES CAN YOU IMPLEMENT TO INCREASE CIVILITY, VOTER ENGAGEMENT, AND COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS?
Residents should not have to have their own copy of our town tax map nor dig through six web pages to learn what’s happening in town. In our Affordable Housing Plan, rather than the township being opaque by referring to “Block 44: Lots 21, 24.01 & 24.02” (the Wine Store/Hildebrant) is zoned for 61-units of affordable housing, why not refer to and include the street address? Or how about a taxpayer needing to ‘click’ through six sub-menus while also needing to know the meeting date to find the land use variance application for Frazier Industrial’s proposal for a new storage facility at 14 Farmersville Road? Clear, plain communication will make it easier for everyone to stay involved.
Civility, voter engagement, and community connection are all built on one foundation: open, transparent, and accessible government. When residents feel informed, included, and respected, trust grows—and so does constructive dialogue.
To promote these values, I will advocate for a series of practical, achievable measures:
- Make Information Accessible and Understandable
- Modernize and Expand Communication Channels
- Strengthen Civic Participation Opportunities
- Promote a Culture of Civility and Respect
In short, my commitment is to raise the bar on engagement by making our township
government easier to understand, easier to access, and easier to trust. When information flows clearly and participation is welcomed, civility follows naturally, and our community grows stronger together.
HOW DO YOU SEE THE TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE INTERACTING WITH OTHER LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT TO BENEFIT YOUR CONSTITUENTS?
The Township Committee has a unique role as both a governing body and a coordinating body. Residents rightly expect us to represent their concerns and advocate for value in how their tax dollars are spent. To achieve this, I see three critical areas where stronger collaboration with other levels of government will directly benefit Tewksbury:
- Aligning with School Boards on Long-Term Fiscal Planning
Since school taxes make up more than 60% of every property tax bill, the Township Committee must take a more active role in working with both the K-8 and high school boards to reduce costs and be efficient with your tax dollars. - Coordinating with County and Neighboring Towns on Shared Services
Tewksbury cannot and should not try to solve every challenge on its own. Partnering with the county and nearby municipalities for shared staffing, infrastructure services, and technology platforms will allow us to improve efficiency, save money, and expand access to resources without burdening taxpayers. - Advocating at the State Level for Fairness and Preparedness
Whether it’s fulfilling affordable housing obligations, addressing potential mandates like sewer plant upgrades, or preserving open space, the Township Committee must be proactive in engaging with state agencies. By doing so, we reduce legal risks and position ourselves to secure resources that protect both our fiscal stability and the character of our town.
Ultimately, the Township Committee’s job is to be the residents’ voice across all levels of government, not only listening, but leading. I commit to working with my colleagues to ensure Tewksbury families see cooperation and coordination that translates into real value for their tax dollars.
WHAT COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS OR SPECIAL SKILLS DO YOU BRING THAT WILL HELP YOUR SUCCESS IN OFFICE?
I bring both experience and deep community connections that will allow me to contribute effectively from day one. Having served three years on the Tewksbury Township Finance and Budget Committee, I understand our local fiscal challenges and the responsibility to manage taxpayer dollars wisely. My prior service on the North Hunterdon-Voorhees High School Board, including work on the Technology and Buildings & Grounds Committees also prepared me to address complex issues involving facilities, long-term planning, and regulatory requirements.
Beyond formal roles, I believe success in office comes from being prepared, informed, and committed to a fiduciary mindset to make every decision based on what serves the long-term interests of our community. My record demonstrates that I show up ready, having done the work, and always acting with the town’s best interests at heart.
Together, my skills, experience, and connections equip me to step in immediately and work alongside the Township Committee to meet the affordable housing, fiscal, and planning challenges ahead.
HOW DO YOU EXPECT TO CONTINUE OUTREACH AND EDUCATION OF YOUR CONSTITUENTS?
Effective outreach begins with consistent, transparent, and accessible
communication. The Township Committee should serve as both a governing body and an information hub — ensuring residents know what decisions are being made, why they matter, and how to get involved.
During my prior term on the Committee, I helped create a social media policy in partnership with residents to strengthen communication with the equestrian community. That experience showed me the value of listening, collaborating, and putting governance controls in place so outreach is both effective and responsible.
Going forward, my experience in technology will allow me to accelerate our Township’s adoption of current “opt-in” communication tools — including curated email alerts, NIXLE notices, as well as leveraging shared services partnerships that allow us to “push” information directly to taxpayers. Using plain language and modern technology, we can reduce barriers to participation and build trust through clarity.
Finally, with nearly 200 volunteers whom already give their time to our boards, youth programs, and community groups, we already have the network to strengthen dialogue — we just need to connect the dots.
My goal is simple: make it easier for busy residents to stay informed, engaged, and connected to the decisions that affect their community to actively shape the future of Tewksbury.