Our Town First

08/12/2026

🌻 Come meet the team — FREE BAGELS! 🥯

Join us Friday, August 21st to celebrate National Senior Citizens Day with your Andover neighbors! Swing by, grab a bagel, and chat with us about the future of our town.

Can't make it? No problem —sign up at the link in comments to stay in the loop with everything happening on the campaign.

And if you believe in what we're building, we'd love your help! We're looking for volunteers to knock doors, hand out flyers, or just help spread the word. Every conversation matters.

The more people who hear our message, the closer we get to real change in Andover. Share this post, tag a neighbor, and let's get to work. 💪

08/05/2026

👋 Meet the Candidates: Cynthia Chase

Cynthia Chase is a Sussex County native and has proudly called Andover Township home for the past 14 years. Together with her husband and their rescued pets, she loves being a part of this community with its beautiful natural surroundings, local attractions, and friendly, inviting appeal.

Cynthia currently works as a real estate broker-associate for Coldwell Banker | Elevate and serves as their Director of Agent Development on this top producing team in Sussex County. Working with residential clients for over a decade, Cynthia is intimately aware of what makes a town a desirable place to live and the environment necessary to maintain property values.

With a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and a Master’s in Public Administration, Cynthia has also worked in the non-profit sector, volunteered with local charities, and coordinates various fundraising efforts for local organizations with her team colleagues as a means of community outreach. She brings experience in capital campaign fundraising, budgeting, volunteer organization, committee-centered collaboration and strategic planning.

Cynthia supports solutions that are fiscally responsible, encourage sustainable, long-term economic growth, maintain property values and protect the town’s natural resources and desirable rural character. She believes good local government starts with listening, and that progress happens when people work together. “Open communication, transparency, and respect for different perspectives builds trust and leads to better outcomes for everyone.”

In her spare time, Cynthia enjoys time with family and friends at the local markets and community events, and walking the local trails. As a member of Andover Township’s Committee, she hopes to work collectively with residents and Committee members to facilitate a new inclusive way of governing at the local level.

07/28/2026

How Did We Get Here?
Andover Township’s Data Center Lawsuit

Here’s What We Know:

We know that National Land Developers (NLD) represents several parcels of land in Andover Township that have been designated for development. Their relationship with the town and Tom Walsh goes back years. It’s not unusual for officials to seek ratable projects, and Tom Walsh has had correspondence and meetings more than a few times with Joe Marley, the president of NLD.

The question is, what was promised in those meetings that led to where we are today?

We know that according to Andover Township’s 2026 Municipal Capital and Debt Planning worksheet both the Pace Glass project at 1045 Limecrest and what was listed as the “(very potential)" Data Center at 248 Stickles Pond were earmarked for a PILOT (Payment In Lieu Of Taxes) program. Additionally, we know that NLD marketed the properties with tax-advantaged PILOT options and reached out to the town to reinforce PILOT possibilities for their clients.

We also know that financials were discussed. Tom Walsh has gone on record with Township Journal (July 23-29 edition) saying a potential of $5 million dollars per year for 30 years was discussed as part of a PILOT. We have no way to verify the accuracy of this amount had the project gone through. But, given the number relative to the town’s budget, we can deduce that the carrot being dangled was very tempting. As the saying goes, if it sounds too good to be true…

So, what was done behind the scenes as a result of these proposed financial figures?

We know that step one was to change the Master Plan to include data centers. This was done in September 2025. We know that step two was to change the height allowance exclusively for data centers from 50 feet to 65 feet at the April 16, 2026 meeting.

We also know that it was around this time that more residents became aware of a potential data center and attended the Committee meeting to vehemently reject the increased height allowance. Instead of listening to the concerns, residents were met with no explanations and the Committee immediately voted 4-1 in favor of the change without an application in place or a reason for the change.

We know that at subsequent May 2026 meetings, hundreds of local residents from Andover and surrounding towns rallied to stop the data center. Once again, Tom Walsh is quoted in the Journal as saying that “many supported the idea and many did not…” Those present at the meeting know that this is a gross mischaracterization of the room. Individuals who expressed “support for data centers” were primarily out of town and out of state union workers likely rallied to attend by forces who wanted to see the project materialize.

And here we are today, facing a lawsuit from the very developer that, according to email correspondence, Tom Walsh claims had a good working relationship with Andover professionals. A developer who relies upon those continued relationships to make their sales in our town a real possibility.

We know that Tom Walsh, in a recent statement posted on the Andover Township page, has indicated that at the present time, defense of this lawsuit is estimated to be less than $20,000. The key here being, “at the present time” and “estimated.”

Furthermore, Tom Walsh indicates the lawsuit defense funds will come from an increased valuation on a town ratable. This is money that could otherwise be utilized for much needed DPW equipment, a new roof on Hillside Barn, salaries, and a whole host of other expenses that keep the Township running if not for a new legal defense fund.

We still have many questions. Andover Township residents want the Committee to fight this lawsuit and the Committee has indicated repeatedly that it will. We continue to support that fight.

Our Town First (Balady, Chase & Guerrieri) wants a new way of local governing and will work hard to make it a reality. We believe our seats on the Township Committee are a public service and we will operate in the best interests of the residents. We denounce a culture of off the record conversations with no community input on topics with huge consequences. The question is, how do you want to move forward to put Our Town First?

07/18/2026

07/14/2026

⚠️We want our neighbors to know: Andover Township has been sued.

National Land Developers LLC filed suit seeking to strike down the Township Committee's May 28th ordinance banning data centers.

Let's be clear about what put us here. This lawsuit didn't happen because officials listened to residents. It happened because years of decisions opened this door in the first place, and the Committee only scrambled to close it once the community pushed back hard enough to force their hand. That's how a town ends up in court.

We stood with our neighbors on this issue and we'll keep standing with you. We also believe a Township Committee should make these calls carefully and transparently from the start, so we're not left cleaning up a mess after the fact.

07/13/2026

👋 Meet the Candidates: Nick Balady

Nick Balady is a dedicated community leader, nonprofit advocate, and banking professional with deep roots in New Jersey. Born and raised in Paterson, he spent several years living at the Jersey Shore before returning to North Jersey in 2013. In 2020, he and his family proudly made Andover Township their home.

Nick will soon be joining ConnectOne Bank as Vice President, Senior Project Manager, where he will lead strategic initiatives and organizational change efforts. Prior to joining ConnectOne Bank, he spent more than a decade with Capital One, serving in a variety of leadership roles spanning operations, risk management, change management and business transformation. Throughout his career, he has earned a reputation for successfully leading complex projects, improving organizational processes, and delivering meaningful results across large and diverse teams.

Beyond his professional accomplishments. Nick is deeply committed to serving our community. He serves as President of the Andover Regional Education Foundation (AREF), a nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing educational opportunities for students and supporting teachers throughout the Andover Regional School District. Under his leadership, the foundation has expanded community engagement, increased fundraising efforts, and provided grants and resources that directly benefit our children.

Nick believes that strong communities are built through service, transparency, collaboration, and active civic engagement. His passion for education, community involvement, and public service continues to guide his work as he strives to make a positive impact for residents and families throughout Andover Township.

Outside his profession and community commitments, Nick enjoys traveling, entertaining friends and family, volunteering, and creating lasting memories with the people who matter most. Above all, he is a devoted husband and father and proudly considers himself his daughter's number one cheerleader, always supporting her dreams, milestones and adventures.

Whether through his professional career, nonprofit leadership, or civic involvement, Nick remains committed to creating opportunities, strengthening connections, and helping build a brighter future for the community he proudly calls home.

07/04/2026

Happy Independence Day, Andover Township! 🇺🇸

Today we are reminded of the values that bring communities together: FREEDOM, SERVICE, and COMMITMENT to our neighbors.

Enjoy the 4th, stay safe and we’ll see you around town!

For a Future We Choose,

Nick, Cynthia & Nicole

07/03/2026

What Matters to Andover Township Residents?

🗳️ Do you remember taking the Master Plan Survey about two years ago? It was designed to gather resident feedback for the revision of Andover Township’s Master Plan goals and objectives.

The Our Town First team (Nick Balady, Cynthia Chase, and Nicole Guerrieri) recently spoke with a resident who attended the July 2024 Land Use Board meeting, where the survey results were shared. To our knowledge, the results were only presented at that meeting, and paper copies were distributed only to those in attendance. The results were not widely shared on the Township website, page, or anywhere else we could find. While we could have submitted an OPRA request, we would have first needed to know that the results were available.

⁉️ It is curious that the Committee and the Land Use Board did not share these results more broadly, considering the responses were intended to be taken into account in the development of the updated Master Plan.

The township received responses from 427 of survey recipients, roughly 10% of all Andover Township households (based on 2022 Census data). Here are some of the highlights that were shared and are relevant as we build our future together:

🌳 In the Environmental category, residents overwhelmingly said that protecting our waterways and green spaces was most important.
-91% of respondents supported limiting commercial development.
-88% of respondents supported limiting residential development.
-76% of respondents agreed that farming and agriculture are important land uses in Andover Township.

When asked about Andover's greatest strengths, the number one response was its rural setting, selected by 75% of respondents.

In the category of Non-residential Development, 82% of respondents said that sustainable and environmentally-responsible development was most important to them.

In the Community Facilities category:
-61% agreed that more indoor recreation facilities are needed.
-84% said more rail trails and hiking paths are needed.

🥾 When asked which three areas Andover Township should focus on in the future, respondents selected:
-Parks and outdoor recreation: 54%
-Protection of environmentally sensitive areas: 42%
-Preservation of farmland: 39%

🌊 The town did go so far as to add an objective about protecting our waterways, which reads: “Consider exploring ordinances to protect environmentally sensitive areas, such as areas immediately adjacent to the Pequest River and Paulinskill River or any of the bodies of water in the Municipality.” However, this appears to be where the consideration of residents' opinions ends.

It makes us wonder: What ordinances have been explored since the plan was revised in 2025? We have been unable to find anything new regarding the protection of our waterways, particularly the Pequest. Instead, we continue to hear land use applications for industrial properties proposed adjacent to it.

🚛 The most infamous of these was the data center, followed by a proposal (since withdrawn) to store and service large road construction equipment adjacent to the Pequest. During testimony before the Land Use Board, the company stated that it had no specific operational standards for where vehicles would be stored on the site. No plan was offered to mitigate the threat of potential leakage from large vehicles.

☑️ When we are elected to office in November, one of our first priorities will be to revisit the original survey and reintroduce both the questions and the responses on a wider scale. With greater transparency and resident participation as priorities, we want to promote awareness and solicit even more feedback. Building on the already strong resident support for environmental sensitivity, we favor a complete review of current protections and the development of a clear, concise framework moving forward that puts our precious resources first.

Photo credit: Zeete on Wikimedia Commons

06/29/2026

Stay safe during this week's heat wave! You can find cooling centers across Sussex County this summer.

As the summer months approach, the County of Sussex would like to remind residents that all county libraries will be open as cooling centers and charging stations. The Montague Municipal Building will

06/24/2026

👋 Meet the Candidates: Nicole Guerrieri

Nicole grew up in Lake Lenape and is a proud product of the Andover Regional School system and Newton High School. She earned her BFA from the Savannah College of Art and Design — and aside from college, a year as a Rotary Youth Exchange Student in South Africa, and a brief stint in Succasunna, she has called Andover home since the age of five.

In her spare time, she enjoys disconnecting from screens and spending time in her garden, which is registered as a Monarch Waystation, waging war on invasives, nurturing native species, and observing and documenting the migratory patterns of wildlife through each of the seasons in our beautiful town.

She also volunteers with the Australian Cattle Dog Rescue Association (ACDRA) as a foster and finds true joy in matchmaking the right dog with the right home. Working with cattle dogs in particular appeals to her because their strong personalities and work ethic feel aligned with her own. When she's not training and trying to place a foster dog, she's either walking her own dogs, Luna and Jet, in KVSP, or training with Jet in agility.

Because of her personal history with the town and her connection with nature, she believes she is well suited to understand Andover residents concerns about over development and water protection.