Hodson, Pfrommer & Ireland Build on Record of Responsible Growth with Ten-Point Pledge
EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP, NJ — Mandatory growth mandates from Trenton bureaucrats have driven much of the development in Egg Harbor Township in the past four decades. Outside rules shaped where growth landed in EHT.
Where the Township has decision-making authority, Mayor Laura Pfrommer and Committeemen Paul Hodson and Patrick Ireland have been committed to defending local land use rights while steering responsible and smart growth.
The Hodson, Pfrommer and Ireland team has worked to best manage this mandated development while protecting open spaces and preserving the unique, rural nature of EHT. The success of this management strategy is reflected in Egg Harbor Township’s stable municipal tax rate – the lowest of any full-service town in Atlantic County.
Now, as incumbents seeking to continue serving the community, Hodson, Pfrommer and Ireland are unveiling a forward-looking, ten-point Responsible Growth Pledge that builds on their record and establishes clear priorities for managing future development.
The pledge focuses on planned growth, infrastructure readiness, open space preservation, transparency and protecting the quality of life of EHT residents.
“Our record shows that responsible growth management is not just something we talk about during an election,” said Mayor Laura Pfrommer. “We have been doing this work, making difficult decisions and using the authority available to us to protect the character of Egg Harbor Township. This pledge builds on that experience and gives residents a clear picture of how we intend to continue that work in the years ahead.”
The ten-point Responsible Growth Pledge calls for:
Update the Master Plan Use current data on people, traffic, schools and the environment to ensure future planning reflects today’s Egg Harbor Township.
Protect Open Space for Good Permanently safeguard wetlands, forests and farmland that help preserve EHT’s rural character.
Build Where Infrastructure Exists Focus growth in and around existing development corridors where infrastructure is already available.
No Infrastructure? No Occupancy Make roads, sewer, water, drainage and schools a priority before occupancy.
Redevelopment Only When It Makes Sense Require full transparency and a clear public benefit before supporting redevelopment.
Real Benefits for Residents Ensure development delivers tangible improvements, including safer roads, better drainage, parks, trees or additional open space.
Meet Housing Rules Without Overbuilding Balance the needs of current residents and the character of existing neighborhoods with legally mandated housing obligations.
Keep Residents Informed Create an online dashboard allowing residents to track pending and approved development projects.
Work Smart with the Pinelands Assert EHT’s home rule rights to protect open spaces while guiding sensible growth within the applicable regulatory framework.
Pass the Quality-of-Life Test Require future projects to demonstrate a positive impact on the quality of life in Egg Harbor Township.
“We have learned through experience that you cannot simply say no to every development proposal, particularly when state mandates limit what a municipality can do,” said Committeeman Paul Hodson. “But there is a great deal we can do, and we have been doing it. We can insist on responsible planning, demand that infrastructure keep pace and make sure residents see real benefits when development occurs. That is the approach we will continue.”
Committeeman Patrick Ireland said protecting EHT’s character must remain at the center of future decisions.
“Growth should never come at the expense of what makes Egg Harbor Township special,” Ireland said. “Our responsibility is to make sure future development is smart, supported by infrastructure and consistent with the community we have worked so hard to preserve.”
The pledge represents the next step in the team’s ongoing approach to managing development pressures while protecting taxpayers, open space and EHT’s quality of life.
The guiding principle of the Responsible Growth Pledge is straightforward: Planned Growth. Ready Infrastructure. Protected Open Space.
Hodson, Pfrommer and Ireland are asking voters to support a continuation of the policies and priorities that have guided their service on the Township Committee — building on a positive record while preparing Egg Harbor Township for responsible growth in the future.
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