Entrepreneur Running for Council Wants to Improve Chester Main Street

As a mother of four and Chester business owner, Melinda Scotti is pretty involved in the town.

Now she’s vying to be one of five members on the town’s governing body, as she seeks votes in the June 3 Primary Election.

Scotti is running against three other residents – incumbents Tim Iversen and Gary Marshuetz, along with newcomer Laura Schurter. The top two vote getters will be placed on the Novemeber General Election ballot, seeking three-year terms on the Chester Borough Council. 

See Schurter’s profile here, and Iversen’s profile here. Marshuetz's Profile can be found here. Former councilwoman Janet Hoven is running unopposed for Chester Borough mayor. See her profile here. 

Scotti move to the borough in 2001 and has been a member of the Parent-Teacher Organization since 2006, serving as a class mom for her four daughters. She’s also been the chairperson for the Fun Fair in 2013, has volunteered with the Friends of Grove Street Park, and is been a member of the recreation department and Chester Theatre Group.

Mendham-Chester Patch recently caught up with Scotti to ask a few questions. Her responses are below, unedited.

Mendham-Chester Patch: Why have you decided to run for election?
Melinda Scotti: I strongly believe in maintaining the quality of life in our beautiful town. I am dedicated to improving Main Street. I want to assist in promoting and working alongside the borough's businesses downtown. My experience with my own business ventures have given me a thorough understanding of such challenges.

MCP: How do you plan to keep the town’s services intact while abiding by the state’s 2-percent tax levy cap each year?
MS: Those who know me are aware of how driven I am to expand the efforts of enriching and advocating for Chester Borough. I believe that the best things about Chester are the people who live in it. This would be something the council would have to work on with the Mayor elect. 

MCP: What is the biggest issue in town that needs to be addressed by the governing body? How will you propose to fix it?
MS: I believe the council moving forward on issues such as Larison's Turkey Farm by educating themselves on redeveloping property and understanding the process that needs to be taken. I love motivating others to work as a group not as individuals. I am also an excellent motivator when it comes to being task oriented. I am a huge team player. 

MCP: What service, product or business would you like to see more of in town?
MS: I think the question that needs to be asked is what are the differences between the need and the wants in Chester and are they both being fulfilled. 

MCP: Where can the town cut costs to save in the budget?
MS: I haven't work with the town budget. That is something I will need to educate myself on when I become apart of council.

MCP: Considering this is currently being handled by government officials, what is your stance on the proposed feasibility study being pursued by four of the five towns that send students to the West Morris Regional High School district?
MS: I know it is being revisited for the 1st time this year. I support the 4 Mayors from Chester and Mendham. I believe nothing but good can come from revisiting this issues and creating a feasibility study that effects such a large part of the people that live in the borough. 

Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, June 3.