Building Community, Together.
Community Safety
Emergency Preparedness and Response
Our elected leaders failed us during and after the July 3 storm that left thousands without power. They provided no useful information regarding timelines for power restoration, or how they were working with energy suppliers to address this public safety crisis. While residents in nearby Berkeley Heights were receiving multiple updates on their township's Facebook page — a total of 24 updates between 7/3 and 7/5 — Warren residents received only 5 updates, none with useful information. While residents of Berkeley Heights received specific information on cleanup efforts and time frames for power restoration by street and neighborhood, Warren residents were told that restoring power was "complicated," with no estimated restoration times given. When we finally got more specific information about cleanup efforts, two days after the storm, it was too little, too late. They literally left us in the dark. DiGrande and Holden understand that visible, vocal leadership is necessary when crisis strikes, even on a weekend holiday. "It's not enough to survey the damage after a heavy storm and ask, 'What could we have done to better prepare?' Our elected officials must prioritize the need for planning before the next one, making a commitment to timely warnings and updates," DiGrande said. Warren has been challenged repeatedly by weather-related emergencies in recent years. Additionally, our town has also seen major changes in terms of infrastructure and population. New growth brings with it the heightened risk of flooding and drainage issues, as many residents are currently experiencing. DiGrande and Holden are committed to implementing proactive stormwater management solutions to protect the environment and homes of our residents. Solutions on the local level include zoning requirements like permeable paving, and encouraging retention practices such as creating rain gardens. From flooding to power outages, these situations not only have public safety consequences, but directly affect property values and insurance costs. DiGrande and Holden will ensure these concerns are addressed while simultaneously advocating for clean energy infrastructure to guarantee Warren has a healthy future.
Evaluating Traffic Patterns and Safety
Another challenge the town has faced recently is the increase in traffic. New developments mean more opportunities to build community, but they also result in changes to traffic flow and patterns. Smart planning in this area is not just about reducing congestion, it’s about ensuring the physical safety of residents who drive our roads every day. The intersection of Hillcrest Road and Emerson Lane is a great example of how traffic patterns have had to shift due to new development. With another set of buildings currently going up in the same area, this section of town will require continued attention on traffic safety. In other areas such as Mt. Bethel, it can take up to 20 minutes just to travel 2.5 miles from Mountain Avenue to town center - an area that has a significant increase in housing slated within the next few years. Township leadership must make concerted efforts to address the current and impending traffic challenges before the impact on quality of life further affects our safety as well as Warren’s appeal and livability. This is the type of thoughtful planning our community deserves. DiGrande and Holden understand that it’s required in order for our town to thrive while growing. “Increased traffic one day is a mere inconvenience. Increased traffic on a regular basis is a quality of life issue. Increased traffic without frequent re-evaluation of safety is a hazard to every member of our town. It is imperative that we stay ahead of the infrastructure challenges that population growth is already starting to bring,” said Holden.
Community Improvement
Everyday Life Improvements For Every Resident – From Bulk Trash Pickup To Flocks of Hens
Bulk Trash: Warren residents have long dealt with the frustration of arranging bulk trash removal on their own, carting items to the public works dump themselves on an extremely limited schedule. Though it may seem simple, this becomes an accessibility issue if a resident does not have the proper means to transport a large item on these particular days. Many of our neighboring towns such as Watchung, Long Hill and Berkeley Heights already have this resident benefit in place. Why doesn’t Warren? DiGrande and Holden believe it is time for Warren to follow suit, giving every household a reliable, predictable way to dispose of large items through a structured, curbside bulk pick-up program. This is exactly the kind of practical, everyday quality of life improvement Warren residents deserve. Flocks of Hens: Warren's current 1.5 acre requirement for owning backyard hens excludes many residents from a practical, sustainable, and rewarding practice. There are a number of towns across different counties that allow backyard hens on smaller lots with sensible guidelines regarding flock size and coop placement. DiGrande and Holden believe Warren should do the same, giving more residents the opportunity to live self-sufficiently and sustainably. Chickens can enhance residents’ quality of life by providing food, natural insect control, and fertilization. They can also offer valuable social and mental health benefits.
Sustainable Planning
For too long town planning has operated in a vacuum without resident and community stakeholder input. This has impacted all residents through increased traffic, strained infrastructure, and an especially heavy burden on school-aged families who continue to pay the price. Our K-8 district underwent rezoning just 5 years ago due to the lack of smart distribution of new housing units throughout the town. Now, young families are once again facing a necessary but disruptive transition as our schools continue to shoulder the consequences of poor planning. Thoughtful, smart planning must be paramount to the future of Warren. By leveraging the town's desirability and location, Warren has a unique opportunity to shape its future housing developments. Though previous officials have handed out “PILOT” tax breaks, DiGrande and Holden know there is room for negotiation with developers to ensure they contribute to the overall well-being of the town. It’s essential that the township requires developers to invest in community improvements, such as recreation spaces and funding for emergency service equipment, which will enhance the quality of life for all. By insisting that developers pay their fair share, Warren can require smart development that benefits everyone, ensuring that growth is sustainable and equitable.
Eco-Friendly Living in Warren
DiGrande and Holden will explore grants to help fund a sustainable future for Warren. Such resources could allow Warren to install EV charging stations in town so that more residents can make the switch to electric vehicles. Although residents have the option to put in fast chargers in their homes, it can be a costly upgrade that prevents someone from choosing a more eco-friendly option. Grants could also potentially fund solar panels for municipal buildings, from town hall to public works facilities, as a way to reduce operating costs and the town's overall carbon footprint. DiGrande and Holden also understand that we are currently living in an ever evolving landscape where technology is growing faster than people can keep up. They are dedicated to ensuring that Warren's infrastructure, land, and resources are reserved for Warren residents only. While DiGrande and Holden agree with the current leadership that Warren should not become home to data centers, they also believe that the way the recently passed moratorium is written has some flaws. DiGrande and Holden will continue to address the concerns over data centers, as well as the many other issues that will inevitably arise, in an effective and practical manner.
Community Voice
Guarantee Zoom Access For All Township Committee And Board Meetings
The future of Warren must involve the input of those who live here. While DiGrande and Holden acknowledge some recent efforts have been made to improve transparency, the continued refusal to reinstate Zoom and ensure full public access is unacceptable. All residents deserve meaningful opportunities to participate in Township Committee meetings, but this access is especially crucial for families with young children at home, individuals with alternative work schedules, and especially senior citizens and those with limited mobility. If you are one of the many voices trying to be heard, they will listen.
Supporting Warren’s Senior Population
DiGrande and Holden believe that it’s time for Warren’s social infrastructure to become inclusive. They have seen firsthand the negative impacts poor planning and development have had on some senior residents. Conversations with our older community members have revealed that many cannot fulfill basic needs – such as buying groceries – due to a lack of reliable transportation provided by the county. Leveraging both our town’s resources and our connections within the county and neighboring towns, DiGrande and Holden will work to improve the shuttle system, enhancing the quality of life for Warren’s older generation, as well as anyone else who requires this service. “Our seniors deserve more alternatives for transportation than they currently have. One resident shared with me how excited she was to move to Warren, only to learn that life here can be quite isolating. If we want our community to grow and thrive, we have to find ways to take care of everyone,” DiGrande said. Beyond improving the ability of seniors to travel around town so that they can be active citizens of Warren, DiGrande and Holden will also explore meaningful opportunities for intergenerational engagement, creating a system that offers individuals, families, and youth opportunities to connect with and support our senior citizen community. “In a world that can feel increasingly isolating, we have a responsibility to ensure no residents get left behind,” says Holden.