The Phillipsburg Republican Party, in conjunction with Randy Piazza, Jr. for Mayor and Matthew Scerbo, Sr. for Council, proudly announces the addition of Phillipsburg resident, Meliss Paulus, to complete this year’s Republican ticket.

Ms. Paulus, a lifelong resident of Phillipsburg, will be seeking a seat on the Phillipsburg Town Council and brings with her a wealth of experience in the Public Sector and a long solid history of advocating for the residents of Phillipsburg.

Ms. Paulus is employed by the Clinton Township Sewerage Authority (CTSA), where she has served for over twenty years. During her tenure with the CTSA she has been appointed as the Fund Commissioner for the Joint Insurance Fund (JIF) and is the Custodian of Records. All of which has allowed her to become well-versed and educated on, but not limited to, Local Public Contracts law, the NJ Open Public Records Act (OPRA), the NJ Open Public Meetings Act (OPMA), Public Bidding Laws, Municipal Budgeting, Audits, Human Resources laws, NJ State Pensions and the NJ State Health Insurance Benefits program.

Although her vast experience and knowledge of the public sector is more extensive than many who sought Phillipsburg Elected Office in the past, we can confidently and unequivocally state that this was not the sole motivational factor for our excitement.

Ms. Paulus has consistently and faithfully advocated on behalf of the best interests of all Phillipsburg residents for over 15 years, spanning a wide range of topics including, but not limited to, lower taxes, unconscionable raise increases for political patrons, the unnecessary creation of taxpayer funded political jobs, official accountability, fiscal responsibility, transparency in government, community policing, safer and cleaner neighborhoods, fair treatment amongst all, the elimination of small town corruption, and a better quality of life for everyone regardless of their socioeconomic status.

She’s volunteered in our community when it mattered most, from providing clothing to our families in need during the winter months, aiding our community’s families who lost their home and belongings to devastating house fires, and actively participating in the Phillipsburg Community Christmas Drive year after year.

Ms. Paulus was also a member of the Phillipsburg Open Space Committee from 2019 to 2022.

Her cooperative work with other Open Space and Recreation Committee Members led to the many recreational accomplishments and upgrades that Phillipsburg is witness to today.

From the new Walter’s Park Pool to the numerous playground upgrades, she embraced her contributions and stated, “I was honored to work with the hard working and committed members of both the Recreation and Open Space Advisory Committees, as well as former Superintendent of Recreation, DJ Kophazy in providing more and safer recreational opportunity for the youth of Phillipsburg. I’m looking forward to completing their vision when elected.”

Meliss Paulus embodies everything Phillipsburg needs and stands for. She not only completes the Republican ticket, but even more so, completes the team that will never stop working for the residents of Phillipsburg.

Together, the Team of Piazza Jr. for Mayor and Scerbo, Sr. and Paulus for Council will work together to promote transparency at all levels of government, implement new practices and systems to provide residents with better accessibility to information and services, keep taxes lower while generating more streams of revenue, focus on programs to create and stabilize small businesses, provide more occupational opportunities, enhanced public safety through the use of community policing, and most importantly, focusing on YOUR needs. Not OURS.

Phillipsburg needs true change and with your support, this ticket will ensure Phillipsburg’s future meets the needs for all residents to succeed no matter what, because as Matthew Scerbo Sr. so eloquently stated, “Phillipsburg Needs a Fighting Chance.”