TOM WALSH JR
The Steward. Keeping Andover affordable without sacrificing what makes Andover worth living in.
A LIFETIME IN ANDOVER
EXPERIENCE BUILT OVER DECADES OF SERVICE
Tom Walsh Jr. has spent decades serving the community he has called home since childhood. From coaching and volunteering to municipal boards, budgeting, and more than two decades on the Township Committee, Tom has seen Andover change while staying focused on the same fundamental challenge: keeping the Township affordable without sacrificing what makes it worth living in.
That experience shapes his approach today. Tom believes responsible leadership means watching every dollar, strengthening and diversifying the tax base, protecting essential services, and making development decisions that fit Andover rather than forcing Andover to fit the development.
DECADES OF LOCAL SERVICE. EXPERIENCED STEWARDSHIP FOR ANDOVER’S FUTURE.
EXPERIENCED STEWARDSHIP. RESPONSIBLE GROWTH.
Tom’s priorities focus on keeping Andover affordable, strengthening the tax base, protecting essential services, and making development decisions that fit the community.
Control costs, strengthen and diversify the tax base, reduce pressure on homeowners, and protect the essential services residents rely on. Tom brings decades of experience working on Andover’s budgets and finances to the challenge of keeping our community affordable.
Pursue new revenue opportunities, but judge every proposal by whether it truly fits Andover. Strengthen and diversify the tax base rather than depending on one large project to solve every problem.
Look at development as a complete equation: revenue, traffic, schools, infrastructure, environment, municipal services, neighboring properties, and community character. Change should belong in Andover, not remake Andover around the change.
Plan growth with its downstream costs in mind and protect the police, fire, DPW, roads, parks, recreation, facilities, and infrastructure residents depend on. Continue advocating for passenger rail and pressing the state and NJ Transit to complete the restoration of service to Andover.
Keep pursuing better long-term uses for distressed or underperforming properties. Age-restricted or senior-oriented development can provide a responsible fit by strengthening the tax base, creating housing options for older residents, and respecting the surrounding community.
The Township explored an opportunity, residents raised serious concerns, and the Committee listened, changed course, and prohibited the use. Tom believes leadership means listening to residents, being willing to change direction when necessary, and communicating earlier and more clearly.