The six candidates seeking three seats on the Morris Township Committee found plenty to disagree about Wednesday, especially when it came to affordable housing and the Township’s financial outlook.
But Republicans and Democrats sharing the stage at Morristown High School also shared some common ground at the candidates forum presented by the League of Women Voters of the Morris Area: Residents need to be brought into major decisions earlier, Township information should be easier to find, senior services need attention, and something needs to be done about the deteriorating Abbey.
Three seats are at stake in November. Democrats Jeremy Godwin and Stephanie Lyon face Republicans George Talarico and Joscelin Grizzetti for two full three-year terms. Democrat Samantha Rothman, who joined the Township Committee in March, faces Republican John Biehl for the remainder of an unexpired term.
The contest comes against a dramatically changed political backdrop in a community once dominated by Republicans.
After years of GOP control, Democrats captured all five seats on the governing body by 2023. Registered Republicans now trail Democrats and unaffiliated voters in the Township, which has voted Democratic in the last three presidential and gubernatorial elections.
Talarico, an attorney and engineer who ran unsuccessfully for Township Committee last year, is making another bid for a seat.
Incumbents William “Bud” Ravitz and Siva Jonnada, Democrats who lost their party’s backing, will not be on the November ballot. Ravitz withdrew his independent candidacy, while Jonnada lost in the Democratic primary.
Video: Morris Township Committee debate, Sept. 30, 2026:
AFFORDABLE HOUSING DIVIDE
Some of Wednesday’s sharpest disagreements involved Morris Township’s response to its fourth-round affordable-housing obligation.
Talarico and Biehl criticized the Township for not joining other municipalities in litigation over housing calculations.
Talarico contended the Township might have reduced its obligation by pursuing options such as senior or veterans housing. Biehl pointed to Randolph’s litigation as an example of a municipality that, he said, substantially reduced its assigned number.
As the Republicans’ critique of Democratic control grew more pointed, moderator Carol Harvey intervened.
“We’re not here to do that,” she said, before asking the audience whether “you’d rather listen to the bickering than learn more about who they are.”
Grizzetti said she supports meeting the Township’s legal obligations but wants residents to have more say in what kinds of housing the community needs. She described a process that left some residents feeling decisions had been made before they had a chance to weigh in.
The Democrats also acknowledged problems with the process, while defending the Township’s decision not to litigate.
Rothman said public input should have come earlier. But she also said she was glad the Township had adopted a plan rather than risk builder’s-remedy litigation.
Lyon defended the plan as a way to provide housing for teachers, first responders, seniors and young families. She opposed spending taxpayer money on litigation she believed would not succeed.
Godwin focused on the need for earlier communication and resident involvement rather than proposing an alternative housing plan.
At a marathon session in March, the Township governing body approved a redevelopment framework spanning seven sites and totaling about 938 housing units, including roughly 195 affordable units. The remainder of the Township’s 375-unit affordable housing obligation for the next decade is expected to be met through existing credits and other means. Jonnada cast a dissenting vote on the Sussex Avenue site.
At that same meeting, the committee appointed Rothman to fill the seat vacated by Mark Gyorfy, who took a job in Gov. Mikie Sherrill’s administration.
MONEY AND GROWTH
The candidates also differed over the Township’s finances and the potential costs of development.
Biehl called for reviewing departments and expenses for efficiencies and cautioned against taking on new debt.
Talarico said new housing would bring more residents — and additional demands on services and infrastructure — costs that he contended have not been adequately calculated.
Lyon described the Township budget as being in strong shape overall. She suggested putting savings from any efficiencies toward pedestrian improvements and protected bike lanes.
Rothman said her review of the budget with Township officials had reassured her about its condition. She also called for systematic investment in trees and sidewalks.
‘TWO CLICKS’ TO TOWNSHIP INFORMATION
Where the candidates largely agreed was communication.
All six called for making Township information easier to find and involving residents sooner in decisions.
Godwin, a communications professional with about two decades of experience, proposed redesigning the Township website so residents could reach important information within two clicks.
Lyon, a clinical psychologist and Rutgers professor, called for providing more materials in multiple languages and holding meetings at varied times, with childcare and other family-friendly ways to participate.
Biehl and Grizzetti also criticized the website’s navigation.
Rothman pointed to steps including longer notice periods for redevelopment projects as ways to give residents more opportunity to participate.
WHAT ABOUT THE ABBEY?
The candidates also shared concerns about the Abbey, the historic Madison Avenue property that has fallen into disrepair.
Rothman said she was pressing for an inspection of the building and a determination of whether its owner, Restoration Hardware, was meeting its obligations under its redevelopment agreement with the Township.
Talarico and Biehl criticized safeguards in that agreement. Godwin said the company should be held accountable, while Grizzetti said she planned to seek records concerning the property.
Lyon praised Rothman’s efforts to examine publicly available documents involving the site.
When Biehl rapped the governing body over the Abbey redevelopment agreement — and took a shot at Rothman over her communications following the July 3 storm — Harvey stepped in for a second time.
“You’re here to address the issues,” she reminded the candidates. “We’re not here to play the blame game.”
SENIORS — AND A BUS WITHOUT A DRIVER
Senior services provided another area of broad agreement.
Grizzetti, a physical therapist with more than 30 years in the field, including work with older adults, proposed a comprehensive assessment of seniors’ needs involving housing, transportation, accessibility and social connections.
She also called for an independent financial and management review of the Township and measurable goals in its new master plan.
Rothman proposed creating a seniors liaison to help residents navigate benefit programs. She also called for benches at transit stops, potentially followed by shelters.
Godwin said finding a driver for the Township’s senior bus should be a priority. Lyon and Biehl also raised concerns about getting the bus and senior activity space into service.
GETTING MORE PEOPLE INVOLVED
The candidates offered other ideas for increasing participation in Township life.
Lyon proposed a formal youth advisory board along with meeting arrangements that would make it easier for families to participate.
Talarico suggested working with schools to teach students how local government works. Biehl said he wants young people to take leadership roles on Township subcommittees.
Rothman cited her involvement with projects including community gardens in Morristown and the Township, a winter farmers market at Convent Station, and Grow It Green Morristown’s Urban Farm at Lafayette as examples of ways to bring neighbors together.
The candidates also highlighted the experience they would bring to the committee.
Grizzetti, a Township resident for nearly 25 years, cited her career in physical therapy. Lyon pointed to her experience managing a Rutgers center, employees and budgets and securing grant funding. Godwin highlighted his communications work and experience managing large websites.
Rothman, a Morristown High School alumna with a Yale forestry degree, cited her work on open-space preservation including the co-founding of Grow It Green Morristown, and her service on the Township Board of Adjustment and, since March, on the Township Committee.
Biehl pointed to 42 years in commercial construction, including construction management and running his own firm. Talarico, a Township resident for more than 25 years, cited his background as an engineer and attorney.
The forum was co-sponsored by the Morris NewsBee.
Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026, with polls open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.Voting by mail is underway. More details on that are available from the New Jersey Division of Elections. Early in-person voting runs from Oct. 24 through Nov. 1, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays and Saturdays, and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays.
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