Author: mendhamtwpdems

Lauren Spirig & Clare Hackney for Mendham Township Committee announce their campaign kickoff event, Tuesday, May 20 at 7 p.m. RSVP for address. 

Let’s re-elect Lauren Spirig, who served as the first Democratic Deputy Mayor in Mendham Township history, and grow our Democratic representation by electing Clare Hackney, an engineer, asset manager, real estate expert, and mother of three.

These working moms are deeply involved in the community and share a deep respect and understanding of the residents’ needs. Lauren and Clare want to represent you authentically through a balanced, communicative local government.

Their priorities include:

• Proactive, sensible approach to affordable housing mandates
• Smart, thoughtful, and informed fiscal decisions
• Collaborative governance with a focus on community engagement

Lauren Spirig
In her first term on Mendham Township Committee, Lauren has been proud to work with a bipartisan team to prioritize the needs of our residents, fostering a collaborative environment to keep our taxes from increasing while ensuring that our vital programs and services are fully funded. 

As the first Democratic deputy mayor in Mendham Township’s history, Lauren is proud of how the committee approached many issues during her term in a respectful, data-driven way: addressing the ash tree crisis, reinstating the Open Space Trust Committee to respond to residents’ desire to preserve our land, and voting unanimously to conform to the NJ Highlands Council as part of the Planning Area. She currently serves as the Township Committee Liaison for the First Aid Squad, Library, Mendham TV, Parks & Recreation, and Schools (Mendham Township and Regional).

Lauren works in fundraising for a nonprofit global supply chain mapping platform, and her 19 years in nonprofit management give her a unique perspective on service-oriented budget management.

She has lived in the Township since 2017 with her husband, John, and their two children, Luke and Zoey. Her children attend Mendham Township Elementary School, where Lauren is the PTO Treasurer and an active volunteer.

Lauren has a master’s degree in public administration from New York University and is a graduate of Boston College.

Clare Hackney

With years of experience in engineering, asset management, development, and capital projects, Clare Hackney hopes to utilize her expertise to inform prudent fiscal decisions and superior community services.

In addition to being a mother of three, Clare’s successful consulting business supported world-class real estate portfolios in capital planning and development. Now, as Vice President of Capital Projects & Development for QuadReal, she continues her work with multi-disciplinary capital budgets.

With challenging new affordable housing requirements, Clare seeks to leverage her professional knowledge of the development process to navigate compliance with state mandates while preserving Mendham Township’s historic charm and open space.

Clare serves as a volunteer in their local Washington Valley Community Association, participates in the neighborhood garden club and the Mendham Township Elementary School PTO, and hosts the annual children’s holiday party and charitable toy drive at the Washington Valley Schoolhouse. She is also the incoming recruiting chair for local Cub Scout Pack 3, and her family are members of Saint Joseph Church. 

Clare lives with her husband and three children (Henry, Hugh, and Hoyle) in a Washington Valley Historic District farmhouse, where they enjoy raising chickens and gardening. 

Clare graduated from Johns Hopkins University with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and holds a Master of Science in Real Estate from NYU. 

Learn more and follow the campaign at @spirighackney on Instagram and Facebook.

Let’s show that Democrats are a strong and growing presence in Morris County! 

Join us on Saturday, March 15 for the legendary St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Morristown. We line up at 11 AM, behind Town Hall. RSVP for the parade here!

After the parade, join us for Pints & Petitions! Stop by the MCDC HQ for a beer, snacks and to sign petitions for our county candidates. RSVP for Pints & Petitions here.

Feeling outraged about what Trump and Musk are doing to dismantle our government, undermine democracy, put American citizens at risk, and destabilize global politics? Get involved!

Email chair@mendhamtwpdems.com to join our mailing list. We’ll keep you up to date on our meetings and other efforts to advance democratic values in our community and beyond.

And be sure to make your voice heard! Click HERE to find your representative, Senators, and their contact information. If you already know the name(s) your members of Congress are, you can just call the Capitol Switchboard number— (202) 224-3121—and ask to be connected.  

Coming up:

Saturday, March 8: “Rally for Our Rights” on International Women’s Day, featuring guest speakers and music by the all-women band Wilma. 12 PM at the Morristown Town Hall.

Friday, March 14: “Finding Kean Fridays” kick off at CD7 Congressman Tom Kean’s Bernardsville district office. With everything going on in Washington, we need Kean to hold an in-person Town Hall for his constituents. Rally at 12pm – more details to come!

Tuesday, March 18: Monthly Mendham Township Democrats meeting, 7pm. All are welcome—email chair@mendhamtwpdems.com to RSVP.

Join the Mendham Township Democrats to march on the morning of July 4th! Enjoy an amazing float with a giant inflatable donkey and banners, plus lots of FUN and games after the parade! 

Details provided upon submitting an RSVP here!

And, don’t miss the Mendham Township fireworks celebration on Monday, July 1! Gates will open at 6:00pm at Mosle Field. $10 suggested donation. Enjoy food trucks, live music, and inflatables for the kids! The Trokan & Luciano Campaign is a proud sponsor of this event!

RSVP here!

Join us to recognize Morris County Democratic trailblazers, leaders and fearless fighters who pushed for causes in our county! 

These new awards will honor retired Morris Township Mayor Cathy Wilson and the late Boonton Councilwoman Dr. Edina Renfro-Michel and Morristown Council President Sandi Mayer, who both passed away recently, far too young.

We will toast to our award recipients and officially kickoff campaigns to break the GOP stronghold on our county government!

When: Thu 6/20, 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM

Where: Jockey Hollow Bar & Kitchen

110 South St, Morristown, NJ 07960

RSVP TODAY!

On Wednesday, April 24, the Township Committee met and here is our summary of action from Committee Person Duarte: PROCLAMATION – This year our township celebrates its 275th anniversary, and Schiff Nature Preserve is marking 40 years in August! The Preserve is a testament to the power of residents organizing to stop overdevelopment. The property was used for decades as the national Boy Scout Training Camp, until 1979 when it was sold to AT&T for development as a corporate park. Residents who were worried about preserving the quiet nature of their community rose up to protest the project. They formed Citizens for a Residential Mendham, and the AT&T project was eventually dropped in face of public opposition. The Trust for Public Land acquired the property. Then in 1984, the land was transferred to the newly created Schiff Natural Lands Trust and placed into the hands of a Board of Trustees for stewardship and protection. It will be an honor, as the current longest serving Schiff Trustee, to read a Proclamation at tomorrow’s meeting.  PRESENTATION – The Township Administrator Jason Gabloff will present the proposed 2024 municipal budget. A few highlights to point out. The amount to be raised by taxes is flat from 2023. The budget, if adopted, calls for a tax decrease of $413.78 for a home assessed at $1 million. (The average home in town is assessed at $1,045,145.) Fixed non-discretionary costs make up about 75 percent of the budget, such as pensions and the garbage contract. Of note, the budget includes $2.2 million, with a $208,504 state grant, to repave 10 roads. I am pleased to see a continued significant investment in roads, much higher than in years past, when road repaving was neglected. It also includes support to purchase new vehicles for both first-responder volunteer groups, the Fire Department and First Aid Squad, another positive change from recent budgets. Finally, there is also funding to  buy a backhoe for the Department of Public Works. There is a public hearing on the budget and final vote for adoption at the May 29 meeting. ORDINANCES – We have two Ordinances on the agenda for introduction and first reading. The first updates the existing stormwater Ordinance to comply with state Department of Environmental Protection updates. The second is a bond Ordinance to fund this year’s road program. Second readings and public hearings for both are scheduled for the May 13 meeting. RESOLUTIONS – We will vote on Resolutions to: Pay township bills. Apply for state grant funding for the municipal alliance, which provides programs for mental health and substance use awareness. Introducing the municipal budget and set a public hearing date. Authorize a contract with DNS Media Group to guide and support the town in renewing its cable franchise agreement. Endorse a Sustainable Land Use pledge to participate in the state Sustainable Jersey program. DISCUSSION ITEMS – We will end the meeting with an update on the municipal building renovation work; the removal of dead/dying ash trees; and the proposed survey of East and West Main streets.

On Wednesday, April 24, the Township Committee met and here is our summary of action from Committee Person Duarte: PROCLAMATION – This year our township celebrates its 275th anniversary, and Schiff Nature Preserve is marking 40 years in August! The Preserve is a testament to the power of residents organizing to stop overdevelopment. The property was used for decades as the national Boy Scout Training Camp, until 1979 when it was sold to AT&T for development as a corporate park. Residents who were worried about preserving the quiet nature of their community rose up to protest the project. They formed Citizens for a Residential Mendham, and the AT&T project was eventually dropped in face of public opposition. The Trust for Public Land acquired the property. Then in 1984, the land was transferred to the newly created Schiff Natural Lands Trust and placed into the hands of a Board of Trustees for stewardship and protection. It will be an honor, as the current longest serving Schiff Trustee, to read a Proclamation at tomorrow’s meeting.  PRESENTATION – The Township Administrator Jason Gabloff will present the proposed 2024 municipal budget. A few highlights to point out. The amount to be raised by taxes is flat from 2023. The budget, if adopted, calls for a tax decrease of $413.78 for a home assessed at $1 million. (The average home in town is assessed at $1,045,145.) Fixed non-discretionary costs make up about 75 percent of the budget, such as pensions and the garbage contract. Of note, the budget includes $2.2 million, with a $208,504 state grant, to repave 10 roads. I am pleased to see a continued significant investment in roads, much higher than in years past, when road repaving was neglected. It also includes support to purchase new vehicles for both first-responder volunteer groups, the Fire Department and First Aid Squad, another positive change from recent budgets. Finally, there is also funding to  buy a backhoe for the Department of Public Works. There is a public hearing on the budget and final vote for adoption at the May 29 meeting. ORDINANCES – We have two Ordinances on the agenda for introduction and first reading. The first updates the existing stormwater Ordinance to comply with state Department of Environmental Protection updates. The second is a bond Ordinance to fund this year’s road program. Second readings and public hearings for both are scheduled for the May 13 meeting. RESOLUTIONS – We will vote on Resolutions to: Pay township bills. Apply for state grant funding for the municipal alliance, which provides programs for mental health and substance use awareness. Introducing the municipal budget and set a public hearing date. Authorize a contract with DNS Media Group to guide and support the town in renewing its cable franchise agreement. Endorse a Sustainable Land Use pledge to participate in the state Sustainable Jersey program. DISCUSSION ITEMS – We will end the meeting with an update on the municipal building renovation work; the removal of dead/dying ash trees; and the proposed survey of East and West Main streets.

Join Chairwoman Amalia Duarte, the MCDC Host Committee and Honorary Special Guest U.S. Senator Booker for the 2022 MCDC Gala on October 7th at the Hyatt Regency in Morristown, NJ. We’re organizing a Mendham table so get your tickets today! 

Join your candidates from Mendham TOWNSHIP—Martin Slayne and Lauren Spirig—and Mendham BOROUGH—Melissa Rawley Payne, Melissa Wojcik, and Melissa Young— for an evening with Lindsay Steen, co-owner of Wild East Brewing Company in Brooklyn! Funds raised will benefit ALL candidates. The event will be held in a private home in Brookside. Address will be given with ticket receipt. https://www.facebook.com/events/1403567313458059/?acontext=%7B%22event_action_history%22%3A%5B%7B%22surface%22%3A%22external_search_engine%22%7D%2C%7B%22mechanism%22%3A%22your_upcoming_events_unit%22%2C%22surface%22%3A%22bookmark%22%7D%5D%2C%22ref_notif_type%22%3Anull%7D

Sponsored by Slayne & Spirig for Mendham Township Committee. Thursday, 9/8, 7pm at the Brookside Community Club. The current Mendham Township Committee’s Master Plan suggests that the township could sustain close to 300 new homes—but what would that mean for our infrastructure, our environment, and our services? Join us for a discussion with local experts and dedicated volunteers, hosted by Martin Slayne and Lauren Spirig. Please register in advance so we can ensure seating and refreshments for all!
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSev2gMByR6XunC1sFIbmgVqfxATeds-sOKAIWZ8Tc9Gi6PTwQ/viewform?fbzx=-7657841468004634319