TEANECK, N.J. — Denise Belcher went into Teaneck’s League of Women Voters candidates forum defending her four years on the Town Council while arguing that the township needs more affordable housing, stronger businesses and greater public involvement in government.

Belcher, the current deputy mayor, said she is proud of helping pass Teaneck’s first accessory dwelling unit ordinance and bringing the township into the New Jersey Film Ready program. She said she wants to build on those efforts while continuing to focus on affordability and economic development.

But taxes were one of the biggest issues of the night.

Belcher said she would look for shared-service opportunities and other ways to reduce costs rather than simply putting the burden on property owners. She said the township had already examined its departments and looked for unnecessary spending.

She also defended the township’s handling of public works, arguing that years of holding down taxes contributed to equipment problems.

On community representation, Belcher said advisory boards were once too closed to the public and did not always reflect the township.

She said elected officials have an obligation to bring residents into the process, not wait for residents to find their way into government.

“Leaders set the tone,” she said when asked how Teaneck can become less divided.

Belcher also took a clear position on the Crossroads redevelopment involving Beverly Road and Stop & Shop. In her written response to the League, she said she opposed the current plan because of its size, rental-heavy approach, traffic, parking, stormwater and lack of homeownership opportunities.

At the forum, she put the homeownership issue bluntly.

“How can you put 318 units into a community and not have one opportunity for homeownership?” she asked.

Belcher said Teaneck can meet its affordable-housing obligations without giving up long-term interests such as municipal property and neighborhood character.

She also opposed placing community-specific monuments on the Municipal Green, saying the Green belongs to all Teaneck residents. The township has already approved the memorial projects for the site. Her position would therefore put her at odds with those existing plans.

The timing adds another wrinkle. The Northern New Jersey Holocaust Memorial recently received a $100,000 donation and organizers say the gift will help bring the project to fruition. The Enslaved African Memorial Committee continues to seek donations to make its memorial a reality. The two projects have separate fundraising efforts.

Belcher did not say the fundraising difference was behind her position.

Throughout the forum, her message returned to affordability, transparency, economic development and accountability for taxpayer dollars.