Garwood Borough Council · Nov 3, 2026
Karina
Boto
Karina Boto, the incumbent, is running for Garwood Borough Council in the Nov 3, 2026 election; 4 candidates are running for 2 seats.
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The race · Borough Council
- 01Karina BotoYou’re reading
- 02Brenda Caffrey
- 03Laura Spina-Thompson
- 04Brian Tague
Background
- About
- Garwood Council President and Finance Committee chair; on the Borough Council since 2024.
- On the ballot as
- Democrat
- How the press groups them
- Jen Blumenstock, Karina Boto, Stephanie Bianco and Brian Tague are running together as Together Garwood Wins. Together Garwood Wins (Blumenstock, Boto, Bianco and Tague campaign): home page
- Campaign website
- www.togethergarwoodwins.com
On the record: Karina Boto
9 sourced01Paperboard redevelopment2 sourced positions
Voted yes on Ordinance 26-07, adopting the amended Garwood Paperboard Redevelopment Plan for 75 North Avenue (adopted 5-0 with one member recused, Mar. 2026).
Council voteBorough of Garwood · Mar 12, 2026LinkHow the council voted
Moved and voted yes on Resolution 26-168, a second amendment to the redevelopment agreement with Garwood Paperboard Urban Renewal Associates (adopted 3-0 with one abstention, Sept. 2026).
Council voteBorough of Garwood · Sep 24, 2026LinkHow the council voted
02Affordable housing1 sourced position
Voted yes on Ordinance 26-02, replacing the borough's affordable housing and development fee rules to meet state Fair Housing Act requirements (adopted 5-0 with one member recused, Mar. 2026).
Council voteBorough of Garwood · Mar 12, 2026LinkHow the council voted
03Budget and taxes3 sourced positions
Seconded and voted yes on Resolution 26-97, adopting the 2026 municipal budget (adopted 5-0, May 2026).
Council voteBorough of Garwood · May 14, 2026LinkHow the council voted
Voted no on a motion to add $7,000 to the Fire Department's proposed 2026 budget (failed 2-4, Apr. 2026).
Council voteBorough of Garwood · Apr 7, 2026LinkHow the council voted
Presenting the 2026 budget, said public safety is the top priority while rising health care, utility, pension and sewer costs put additional pressure on the borough's finances.
Public safety remains our highest priority.”
Own statementBorough of Garwood · Apr 7, 2026Link
04Paid parking1 sourced position
Voted yes on Ordinance 26-17, amending paid parking rules to allow free parking from December 15 to January 1 (adopted 3-1, Aug. 2026).
Council voteBorough of Garwood · Aug 13, 2026LinkHow the council voted
05Flooding1 sourced position
joint platform of the Blumenstock, Boto, Bianco and Tague campaign
Campaign platform pledges to use the in-process sewer infrastructure study to address flood mitigation and to seek federal and state grants for flood mitigation projects.
Use in-process sewer infrastructure study to address flood mitigation”
Own statementTogether Garwood Wins (Blumenstock, Boto, Bianco and Tague campaign): PlatformLink
06Street safety1 sourced position
joint platform of the Blumenstock, Boto, Bianco and Tague campaign
Campaign platform pledges better road striping, intersection sightlines and lighting, and traffic calming at high-risk intersections with the county and DOT.
Improve road striping, enhance intersections sightlines, increase lighting”
Own statementTogether Garwood Wins (Blumenstock, Boto, Bianco and Tague campaign): PlatformLink
Every claim links to its source and was checked against it before publishing. How this guide works
Karina Boto: their words and their votes on the same issue
Budget and taxes
In their words
Presenting the 2026 budget, said public safety is the top priority while rising health care, utility, pension and sewer costs put additional pressure on the borough's finances.
Apr 7, 2026 ·Borough of Garwood · Apr 7, 2026
On the record
Voted no on a motion to add $7,000 to the Fire Department's proposed 2026 budget (failed 2-4, Apr. 2026).
Apr 7, 2026 ·Borough of Garwood · Apr 7, 2026
Seconded and voted yes on Resolution 26-97, adopting the 2026 municipal budget (adopted 5-0, May 2026).
May 14, 2026 ·Borough of Garwood · May 14, 2026
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