Matawan Boro Council Race Enters Final Days: Candidates Talk

MATAWAN, NJ — Tiny Matawan has a very competitive race for town council this year, with Republicans Anissa Esposito and Joe Saggese trying to topple current council members — and Democrats — Deana Gunn and Stephanie Buckel from their seats.

Republicans have been trying for years without success to make inroads on the Matawan borough council, long dominated by Democrats.

Esposito served on the Matawan-Aberdeen Regional Board of Education for nine years, and she is active in the Monmouth County Republican party.

She and Saggese point to a ballooning municipal budget for their No. 1 issue for why they wanted the Dems voted out.

"The current administration ran on making Matawan more affordable, yet raised the budget by 20 percent in five years," said Esposito in this Patch profile. "While it is nice to see a rehabilitated historic mansion or new curbs and sidewalks on Main Street, not a whole lot has really changed in five years, except out-of-control spending and debt. Matawan was the fourth-highest taxed municipality in 2019 ... and this administration chose to raise the budget by $450,000, make no cuts or consolidations, quietly introduce a $11.9-million dollar bond offering, and raise municipal taxes $600,000."

Saggese, a union worker with the Port of NY & NJ, also said he wanted to reduce Matawan's debt and spending, and also pointed to what he says is a lack of transparency from the borough council.

"Residents have been bullied and intimidated by the council," he said. "They have driven debt and spending to unsurpassed levels."

But incumbent Gunn, who is Council president, points to success under this current council, such as repairing sidewalks, roads, town parks and encouraging new residential development around the Matawan-Aberdeen train station.

"In the 10 years before we were elected, the previous administration let the town fall apart. Our team fixed it up," she said, in her profile on why she seeks re-election.

Gunn pointed to work the council has done restoring Matawan and developing its Main Street, downtown and the train station area — all of which costs money and investment.

"We've repaired roads, put in new sidewalks, fixed up parks and restored historic landmarks. We've removed eyesores like the two abandoned gas stations on Main Street. We are on our way but we still have more work to do," she said. "Our team has a vision and a real plan for Matawan going forward. The only thing I have seen from our opponents is a lot of negativity and attacks on the work we've been doing the last few years."

Gunn promised if re-elected, the Democrat Matawan boro Council will "tackle the next phase," further redevelopment of the downtown and the train station.

Here are past Patch profiles from all the candidates: Matawan Councilwoman Deana Gunn: Why I Seek Re-Election

Matawan Boro Council Race: Republicans Esposito, Saggese Talk