Five candidates are seeking election to three seats on Robbinsville Township Council.
In township council contest, five candidates are seeking election to three four-year seats on council. Running on the “Committed to Community” slate are incumbent council members Christine Ciacco and Michael Todd along with first-timer Amit Chopra.
They are being challenged by Lea Borghard, who is running under the “Connect, Consider, Communicate” slogan and Kiran Agrahara, who is running under the “Community First” slogan.
The Robbinsville Advance asked each of the candidates to provide biographical information about themselves and a statement regarding why they are running for council. Their answers are presented in alphabetical order below.
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Kiran Agrahara has been a resident of Robbinsville Township for 15 years. He has a bachelor’s degree in electronics and communication engineering, a Master of Business Administration and is currently a doctoral student at Swiss School of Business Management.
He currently works as a senior technologist working in various leadership positions at tech startups based in the Bay Area, California. He has two children—a Freshman at Robbinsville High School and a freshman at Washington & Jefferson College.
Agrahara is currently, involved in KCO – Brindavana (cultural organization), BGSVIT (preparing fresh engineering graduates to compete in today’s job market from his home state—Karnataka, India) and AC Cultural and Spiritual Foundation. As an individual, he has initiated a scholarship for RHS students, and raised funds for Multiple Sclerosis, among others.
Candidate statement: To encourage the construction of more commercial ratables and attract more businesses, our town should focus on creating a small business-friendly environment while also being mindful of sustainable growth.
Zoning regulations should be flexible to accommodate diverse business needs, allowing for mixed-use developments and adaptive reuse of existing structures.
Community engagement and collaboration are essential. Encouraging local partnerships and business associations can foster a supportive ecosystem where businesses can thrive together. Moreover, promoting vocational training and educational programs tailored to local industries can ensure a skilled workforce, making Robbinsville an attractive destination for businesses seeking talent.
Embracing sustainable practices and green initiatives can not only attract environmentally conscious businesses but also contribute to long-term economic viability. By striking a balance between growth and sustainability, Robbinsville can foster a vibrant business environment that benefits both residents and entrepreneurs.
I firmly believe that the continuous proliferation of warehouses in our region is a cause for concern, and we should seriously consider limiting their expansion. While warehouses are undoubtedly essential for logistics and economic growth, the current rate of development in Robbinsville and nearby towns is causing significant problems, including traffic congestion, environmental degradation, and a diminished quality of life for residents.
One of the most pressing issues is the environmental impact of warehouses, which cannot be ignored. As these facilities expand, they encroach on natural habitats and disrupt local ecosystems. This can lead to a loss of biodiversity and harm our environment in ways that may be irreversible. We must be good stewards of our environment and consider the long-term consequences of unchecked warehouse development.
Moreover, the pollution generated by the influx of trucks and industrial activities associated with warehouses is a grave concern. The emissions from these vehicles can have dire consequences for public health, causing respiratory problems and other health issues. Our communities should not bear the burden of such health risks.
Another important issue is the traffic nuisance caused by warehouses. The constant flow of trucks and delivery vehicles not only clogs our roads but also poses safety hazards for our community. The resulting traffic congestion is frustrating for residents and detrimental to our overall well-being. We need to prioritize the preservation of our open lands, local road infrastructure and the safety of our streets.
In terms of land use, we must question whether warehouses are the best use of our valuable land resources. Alternative land uses, such as green spaces, recreational areas, or sustainable agriculture should be explored to strike a better balance between economic development and preserving our environment and quality of life.
It is time to reevaluate the necessity of further warehouse development and prioritize the well-being of our town and the preservation of our environment. Limiting the building of warehouses is essential to ensuring a more sustainable and livable future for our communities.
To help control municipal taxes, I would focus on several key strategies. Firstly, I would propose we conduct a thorough review of the municipal budget to identify areas where cost savings can be achieved without compromising essential services. This might include optimizing administrative processes, exploring shared services agreements with neighboring municipalities, and implementing technology solutions to increase efficiency.
Additionally, I would prioritize transparency in budgeting by actively engaging with the community to understand their priorities and concerns. This input can inform budget decisions and ensure that taxpayer dollars are allocated to projects and services that align with the needs of our residents.
In terms of revenue, I would explore alternative sources beyond property taxes. This might involve seeking out grants, partnerships with local businesses, and promoting economic development to expand the tax base. Encouraging responsible growth and attracting new businesses can generate additional revenue streams while creating jobs and bolstering the local economy. I would advocate for proactive financial planning that includes setting aside funds for long-term obligations like pensions and infrastructure maintenance. By addressing these issues early, we can avoid unexpected budgetary challenges in the future.
In conclusion, controlling municipal taxes requires a balanced approach that involves both cost-saving measures and exploring diversified revenue sources. An open dialogue with the community, responsible financial planning, and fostering economic growth can collectively contribute to a more sustainable and fiscally responsible municipal budget.
Robbinsville is a great town and community! I believe there is always more to be done to nurture the wonderful, small town- feel we have built over many years. We must be open to becoming more in sync with the changing times and be sure to provide for Robbinsville families and their needs.
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Lea Borghard has been a resident of Robbinsville for over 20 years. She holds an accounting degree from Rutgers School of Business and is a certified public accountant with Six Sigma certifications.
She has worked at a Fortune 100 company in the healthcare sector for the last 20 years. She began her career at a leading global provider of audit and assurance, consulting, and financial advisory services. She has also worked for a small tech startup.
She and her husband, Ian, have three children. Their oldest daughter graduated from Robbinsville High School in May and is now attending college. Their son attends Pond Road Middle School, and their youngest daughter is at Sharon Elementary School.
Recently she and her youngest daughter were two of the 1,200 volunteers who packaged over 100,000 meals for food insecure kids in New Jersey, an event coordinated by non-profit groups ONE Project and BeKind.
For the past several years, she has joined Mr. Williams’ Career Exploration class at Robbinsville High School to share personal experiences and insights about her career with students as they make decisions about their future paths. She has also been a coach and mentor for two Destination Imagination teams, fostering creativity and critical thinking skills among the students participating—even making it to the National Championship one year. Last Fall, she was the assistant coach for her daughter’s flag football team.
Candidate statement: I am running for town council because I am invested in Robbinsville, a town my family has called home for 20 years. My goal is to keep Robbinsville an attractive choice for every family by ensuring that our resources are responsibly allocated to meet the needs and aspirations of our diverse community. My priorities include balancing the budget, investing in safety and accessibility initiatives, preserving open space, supporting our schools, and maintaining reasonable taxes.
Connect-consider-communicate. Two of the things that make Robbinsville special are the small-town feel and diverse community. As a Town Council representative, I will support existing events like the Robbinsville’s Farmers Market, the Community Festival, the Summer Concert Series, and the many holiday and cultural celebrations throughout the year and seek additional opportunities to build a sense of togetherness and belonging that will foster a more connected, vibrant town.
Improving accessibility — to both information and to places around town — is another way to connect. One short-term goal is to improve access to the Town Council’s activities by livestreaming town council meetings, writing agendas and minutes in straightforward language, and posting minutes in a timely manner, so everyone in our town can be informed and engaged. Sharing information openly allows for greater understanding of the context and rationale behind decisions. A culture of open communication and transparency promotes respect and trust by reducing the likelihood of misunderstandings and preventing rumors and unnecessary conflict.
A long-term goal is to increase walkability/bike-ability by connecting different neighborhoods and essential areas of our town, such as the middle school and high school, parks, dining, and sports facilities. Compelling data from Redfin’s Walk Score report reveals that higher walkability scores increase home values. By investing in infrastructure that promotes safe and sustainable transportation, we can foster a healthy lifestyle, encourage environmental consciousness, and create additional opportunities for community engagement, as well as contribute to the long-term economic growth and prosperity of our town. I will ensure our township continues to pursue supplemental funding for alternative transportation projects, such as NJDOT State Aid Programs, and will work to bring the “Rails to Trails” project to fruition.
There will be challenging and difficult decisions ahead and sometimes we will not be able to achieve consensus across all stakeholders. As your Town Council representative, I will actively listen to and consider different perspectives, weigh options, and make informed, strategic decisions to address the challenges we face. A key issue impacting the township’s future is commercial growth. I encourage construction of commercial rateables and businesses. However, excessive warehouse construction in our small town can bring about undesirable consequences.
The allocation of valuable land for warehouses limits opportunities for the development of parks and locally owned businesses, which contribute to the town’s charm and character. Traffic congestion and increased truck volume associated with warehouses can lead to environmental concerns, noise and air pollution, and road deterioration. Warehouses do not always provide significant job opportunities for residents as they often rely on a small number of employees. Robbinsville’s growth and development should be thoughtfully planned and sustainable, striking a balance between progress and preservation, safeguarding the small-town charm we cherish while embracing healthy growth of our community’s businesses and development that enhances our community’s livability.
Town Council and the Board of Education. Another challenge for Robbinsville is appropriately funding our schools. The Town Council and the Board of Education are distinct entities with separate roles and responsibilities. While the Town Council focuses on local government policies, budgeting, resource allocation, public safety, infrastructure, zoning, and community services, the Board of Education oversees school operations, educational policies, curriculum, staff hiring, and school district budgeting. There are important areas of collaboration and support between Town Council and BOE including funding, infrastructure and facility needs, and student safety and transportation. As a member of the Town Council, I will collaborate with the Board of Education to address shared concerns and objectives in support of our schools.
Community service. I am grateful to live in a generous and compassionate community and look for opportunities to give back, learn from others, and make a positive impact. This summer, my youngest daughter and I were two of the 1,200 volunteers who packaged over 100,000 meals for food insecure kids in New Jersey, an event coordinated by non-profit groups ONE Project and BeKind. For the last several years, I have joined Mr. Williams’ Career Exploration class at the High School to share personal experiences and insights about my career with students as they make decisions about their future paths. I’ve been a coach and mentor for two Destination Imagination teams, fostering creativity and critical thinking skills among the students participating and even making it to the National Championship one year. And last year, I was the assistant coach for my daughter’s flag football team, teaching sportsmanship and teamwork (and trying to teach football, which I am not an expert on!).
Skills and competencies. I use a structured and data driven approach to solve problems, which I’ve learned from valuable experiences during my 25-year career in Accounting, Business Operations, Project Management, and Communications. With an Accounting degree from Rutgers School of Business, a CPA, and a Six Sigma certification, I bring a strong foundation in finance and budgeting, resource planning, and strategic decision-making to Robbinsville’s Town Council. Driven by a desire to help and continuously learn, I am most energized by working with others to find new solutions and solve problems. That is why I’ve sought opportunities to lead multi-year projects as part of my core job responsibilities. I’ve worked on initiatives to implement new software solutions, simplify processes, and design new ways of working based on changes to laws or the marketplace. These experiences have taught me various qualities and skills needed to produce results.
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Amit Chopra has lived in Robbinsville since 2015 with his wife, Vandita. The couple have a daughter, Ananya, who is a senior at Robbinsville High School, and a son, Dhruv, who studied at the Pond Road Middle School up until 2022-23 school year. He now studies as a freshman at Laurel Springs—an online school for aspiring professional sportspersons.
Chopra holds a bachelor’s degree in electronics and communication engineering and master’s in artificial intelligence and machine learning. At his current job, he leads AI research, development and engineering for a Fortune 500 financial services firm.
His areas of interest include quantitative finance, causal inference, reinforcement learning, and ethical AI.
Chopra is the founder of Aadhyatmik, a 501C3 nonprofit that celebrates Indian American heritage through social meetups, cultural events, and senior socials. Over the past 7 years, Aadhyatmik has brought together hundreds of Robbinsville families through community events such as Robbinsville Diwali, Holi, Sangat and the annual Robbinsville Diwali Cultural Parade.
Through these events, the Aadhyatmik community has given back to Robbinsville and beyond by donating thousands of dollars in charitable contributions to Robbinsville Police, Robbinsville firefighters, the Robbinsville Senior Center, Robbinsville Schools, the Hunger Project, Anchor House (a shelter for runaway teens in Mercer County), and supported education for children of sex workers in India.
Candidate statement: I immigrated to the US in October 2006 to pursue my American Dream. I first started volunteering with the Main Street in the summer of 2007 as my way of expressing gratitude for the welcoming environment that my family and I found in this incredible nation that we now call our home.
In 2015, my family moved to Robbinsville after researching Robbinsville’s great track record in public safety, and its good schools.
I believe that top notch public safety, great schools, thriving local business community, vibrant cultural, recreational & sports communities supported with sustainable development are foundational pillars required to make any town a great place to live and work and provide residents a good overall quality of life.
Township issues that matter to me:
Sustainable economic development: Since 2022, I’ve been serving with the Robbinsville Land Use Board, that has provided me with valuable knowledge and insights into township planning, development, and economic growth opportunities for Robbinsville. I am learning first-hand how our township strives to strike a balance between economic development, environment protection and community wellbeing.
Another key learning for me has been the importance of public participation and engagement in shaping the future of our town. Serving on the land use board has reinforced the need for effective collaboration and value of inter disciplinary thinking as decisions often require inputs from diverse stakeholders such as engineers, architects, town planners, environmental experts and concerned citizens.
The knowledge that I have gained by serving with the Land Use Board has strengthened my commitment to responsible land use in Robbinsville. I will focus on and prioritize opportunities to expand township revenue by attracting new and retaining existing businesses and sustainable development opportunities along the route 130 corridor.
Public safety & officer working conditions: Robbinsville’s public safety record remains one of the top reasons for new residents to move to the town and for current residents to stay. Robbinsville is a safe town by design and tireless efforts of Robbinsville township, police, firefighters, emergency services personal and concerned citizens.
Continued investment in public safety will ensure that Robbinsville remains a safe place to live and work for all. Recently, I made a public awareness video that shed a spotlight on the Robbinsville police station and Robbinsville court facility. The crumbling infrastructure of these two facilities and poor working conditions of the officers shocked me. Robbinsville residents overwhelmingly love and support our officers. Therefore, it was heartening to see the tremendous positive public response and support for better facilities for our officers who tirelessly work round the clock to keep us safe. I am committed to maintaining the highest level of public safety, high morale of those who serve and help improve their working conditions.
Improve recreational & sports infrastructure: In 2018, I joined the Robbinsville Recreation Arts and Cultural Committee to actively contribute to the vibrancy of our town by helping orchestrate family friendly events. In my time with the Recreation committee, in addition to supporting existing initiatives, I helped initiate new programs such as Drive by Movie Night and Robbinsville’s Got Talent.
Serving in the Recreation committee with a passionate, fun loving, ‘community first’ team to ideate, design, and execute events that mobilized residents and brought communities together was a tremendous learning and fulfilling experience. I am committed to supporting new Recreation initiatives and efforts to enhance youth development, cultural enrichment, and family time for all Robbinsville residents.
I am a very enthusiastic member of the Robbinsville Premier League community, and proud co- owner of the Mighty Mavericks cricket team that competes in the Robbinsville Premier League. Robbinsville has more than 300 active cricket players (men, women & children) that share one cricket field with several other out of town teams that also use the ground for their NJ cricket league games. I support the need for an additional cricket field and augmenting the existing infrastructure to support the evolving needs of this community.
Over the summer I learned to play pickleball, a sport that I thoroughly enjoy playing with my family and friends. The rapid growth of this sport in Robbinsville has been unparalleled. Robbinsville pickleball community has exponentially grown and bringing seniors, children, families, friends, and neighbors together in an unprecedented way. On many days, one must wait for more than an hour to step on to one of the four pickleball courts and get a chance to play. I have been a vocal advocate for more and lighted pickleball courts to keep up with the skyrocketing interest in pickleball that promotes an active lifestyle for the entire community, youth engagement and quality family time.
Robbinsville is a great town, and I am running for the township council with the vision of making Robbinsville the best township in N.J. that offers its residents the highest quality of life in the state. Post covid, we are living in high inflationary, uncertain economic times that have eroded personal and government purchasing power posing difficult challenges for residents, local businesses, and the township.
When given an opportunity to serve, I will advance thoughtful financial planning, policy led, data-driven, analytical decision-making and benchmark our township against the best in the US to keep enhancing our public services, public safety, support Robbinsville School district, promote sustainable economic development and improve our sports and recreational facilities. I am seeking your vote to make Robbinsville the best township for everyone in our incredible community.
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Chris Ciaccio has lived in Robbinsville with her husband, Tom, since 1980. Her children, Tony and Dawn, both went through the Robbinsville school system.
Ciaccio grew up in Hamilton and earned an associate degree from Trenton State College in elementary education. She and her husband own Tony’s Farm and Garden Center in Windsor. Ciaccio has been a member of the council since 2007, and she was appointed to the Zoning Board in 1988.
Candidate statement: I have been proudly serving Robbinsville Township Council since 2007. My husband, Tom, was born in Windsor and attended both the Windsor and Sharon Schools. My father-in-law, Anthony, attended Windsor School. Since taking office, I have served as president and vice president on the council. I am also a member of the Planning Board, the Historic Preservation Advisory Board, Robbinsville Community Addiction Recovery Effort (CARE), and the Route 130 Redevelopment Committee. I formerly served for 15 years as a member of the Zoning Board and as a founding member Washington Township Business Association.
We need to develop a comprehensive, well balanced commercial development plan to attract businesses to Route 130 to help ease the property tax burden. I am part of the Route 130 Redevelopment committee. We are looking at each property to see if they fit the criteria for redevelopment.
In today’s economy redevelopment provides incentives to entice businesses to come to our town. I am focused on increasing ratables to stabilize property taxes by promoting well planned economic development. I have always been an advocate for healthy economic development on Route 130. My work on the planning board and council is having a direct impact, evidenced by new businesses like Wawa, Extra Space Storage and the upcoming Subaru dealership.
Robbinsville Township has done a great job on our warehouse parks. Our warehouse parks are strategically placed near highways. Warehouses are clean ratables with no impact on our schools, police or fire departments.
We need to continue to support our town’s recreational programs, facilities and playing fields. We need to maintain our existing parks but also meet the growing needs and diversity of our community. Our residents are enjoying Community Day, Concerts by the Lake, Pickle Ball, Volleyball, walking trails, Tantum Park inclusion playground, Drive-in Movies, Farmers Market and more. Our residents are asking for more indoor and outdoor recreation.
The mayor, township council and administration are doing a great job. We support our veterans. Our town has built a beautiful Veterans Flag Memorial Park on Gordon Road. It’s a great place to sit on a bench and enjoy the solitude. We have preserved over 300 acres of open space. We have worked hard to secure grant money for our fire and police departments. Robbinsville Township is a great town. Our community rallies together to help their neighbors.
We need more residents to attend our council meetings. We meet the second and fourth Thursdays at 7 p.m. We need your input! It’s important to get involved to keep moving our town in the right direction.
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Mike Todd has lived in Robbinsville with his wife, Gina, since 2003. They have two daughters, Caitlyn and Alyssa, who attend Robbinsville High School and Pond Road Middle School respectively. Todd grew up in Central Pennsylvania and Manalapan.
He attended York College of Pennsylvania and graduated from Mercer County College with a degree in Energy Utility Technology. He currently works as an Electric Transmission Supervisor for Public Service Electric and Gas Company (PSE&G) and is charged with strengthening the electric transmission infrastructure across the State along with leading efforts to restore power after storms.
First elected to serve on the Robbinsville Township Council in 2021, he is currently Council vice president and had previously served as the chairperson of the Robbinsville Township Recreation and Cultural Arts Committee and was a member of the Robbinsville Township Planning Board. A long time Little League coach, Todd was an active member of the Robbinsville Little League Board of Directors for five years and served as president for two of those years. In addition, he is also an assistant coach on his daughter’s travel softball team and a member of the board of his neighborhood HOA.
Candidate statement: My wife Gina and I moved to Robbinsville in 2003 and we immediately fell in love with this community. Over the years, I have found myself becoming very active in many different facets of the community. Having the opportunity to take on various leadership roles within local volunteer organizations, I’ve been able to help give back to the community that gave so much to us. During my time on the Planning Board, I really took an interest in municipal land use law, how it applies to Robbinsville and what the landscape of Robbinsville could be like in the future. Having the honor of being elected to Council in 2001 allowed me to begin working behind the scenes to support our community to keep us moving in a positive direction.
One of the most important initiatives that I plan to continue focusing on if I am fortunate enough to be re-elected to Township Council is seeking out additional revenue sources along the Route 130 corridor.
This area is the “last frontier” of development opportunities within our Township and will help provide additional ratables for both the Township and our school district. Route 130 as we know it today has a lot of potential to bring in more business to Robbinsville, but we don’t necessarily want it to become a concrete jungle of mini malls and congestion like other portions of the roadway.
The current redevelopment process that is taking shape will allow the Township to play an active role in shaping the future landscape of Route 130 with the ability to encourage similar design schemes that represent the overall look of Robbinsville. It also allows flexibility to keep open space along the roadway, which is important to the Township and our residents.
We also have an opportunity to work with developers in designing the gateways to our Township on both the North and South end of Route 130, which provides memorable first impressions as drivers enter Robbinsville. I look forward to continuing an active role in the redevelopment process, which will help promote healthy economic growth within our Township borders.
Robbinsville comes from deep farming roots and one challenge we face is bringing our plans of growth to reality while maintaining our current initiatives of preserving open space. Moving forward with creating healthy economic development (ie. Town Center South, Shoppes at Foxmoor and the Route 130 corridor) is crucial to help stabilize our municipal tax rate while expanding services for residents. This will certainly be one of the challenges. The Route 130 corridor alone has so many opportunities for growth, but it will take careful oversight to ensure it’s done right to keep the overall look and feel of the Robbinsville that we all love.
Preserving and maintaining our local open space works hand in hand with creating a sustainable Robbinsville. It also echoes what residents overwhelmingly voted for in 2016 when the increased open space tax levy was passed by residents. Since 2000, the Township has preserved over 1,550 acres of open space, which is more than any other Town in Mercer County. An important goal for utilizing our Open Space Trust Fund moving forward will be making Miry Run Park more accessible to our residents. Throughout the Pandemic, residents found a new appreciation for our parks with the opportunity to get of the house and in the fresh air. The multi-phased buildout plan for Miry Run will greatly expand the overall walkability in Robbinsville with the potential of almost 6 miles of new walking and bike pathways. This will be a great addition to our Township once completed.
One of the biggest challenges we face as a Township right now is increased taxes across the board. Over the years, our Mayor, Business Administrator and Town Council have all done a tremendous job in trying to stabilize municipal taxes while finding new efficiencies along the way. As Councilman, I will continue to look for additional opportunities to explore shared service agreements with surrounding communities and Robbinsville Schools to help keep our municipal taxes stable.
This year, we have seen a large increase in fixed costs that have been especially challenging to overcome. These costs include insurance increases, rising pension costs, increased garbage disposal and recycling fees just to name a few. This coupled with overall inflationary pressures has created a challenging atmosphere for all residents.
While the Redevelopment of Route 130 will present a huge opportunity to attract commercial ratables, it will take time for new businesses to build and open. However, Robbinsville Township has always been a leader in innovation and out-of-the-box thinking when it comes to fiscal accountability. For example, we built the very first hydroponic farm in New Jersey, without raising taxes to do so. Since 2017, crops from the farm have been able to help reduce the overall operating costs of our Senior Center while being able to make generous donations to Meals on Wheels and local foods banks. While this is just a small success story, projects like this and other key strategic partnerships with our surrounding community neighbors will continue to ensure we help control our municipal taxes.
The one thing that remains true about Robbinsville is that we always find a way to pull together as a community and support one another when times are tough. This is one of these times as we all try to navigate this post pandemic landscape. In every question I ask and with every decision I make as Councilman, I will always apply common sense to the situation and find the best solution to support our Township as a whole. We live in an amazing community that is one of the most desirable places to live in the State. My goal while serving on the Township Council is to maintain my commitment to our community by moving Robbinsville in a positive direction.
Amit Chopra,
