Safety concerns cited in bridge project
DOT spokeswoman says work will be complete this month
BY KENNY WALTER Staff Writer
LONG BRANCH — Reconstruction of the Park Avenue Bridge in Elberon is complete, but there are still some unfinished work and safety hazards that need to be completed, according to Long Branch Councilmen Brian Unger.
Unger called a press conference April 21 to draw attention to what he said is unfinished work and conditions that pose dangers to pedestrians and vehicles on the bridge, which is located in the Elberon section of the city.
The bridge, which is about 51 feet long, reopened Jan. 2 after being closed for more than a year and a half to allow for complete reconstruction of the span.
The New Jersey Department of Transportation (DOT) has completed the $6.7 million replacement of the functionally obsolete bridge with a new structure that features improved vertical clearance and sight distance, according to a press release from the DOT.
DOT spokeswoman Erin Phalon said Monday that all remaining work will be completed by late May.
Among the conditions Unger said need attention are: garbage and debris cleanup; removal of plastic temporary fencing; an exposed gas pipe; and conditions that could result in traffic accidents on the bridge.
The bridge is currently not protected on both sides, which could be a problem for anyone traveling over the bridge on foot or in a vehicle, according to Unger.
"The fencing along the side walls is a problem," Unger said. "A pedestrian or a child could easily fall over the side there. Also, a car could slide off the road and go over."
He also cited an exposed gas pipe as one of the major problems resulting from the reconstruction of the bridge.
"Any vandal can literally cut into the gas line," Unger said. "A car could also expose the gas line. There needs to be a cover. There is nothing to protect the gas pipe right now."
Phalon said there is a plan in place for the DOT to construct a concrete cap for the gas line.
"We relocated the gas line, and it left 10 feet of it exposed," Phalon explained. "We will construct a concrete cap to cover it once the construction to Lincoln Court is completed."
There is also the issue of debris and garbage on the site.
"With the construction debris, I understand that is the responsibility of the construction company," Unger said. "But apparently somebody has tossed their household garbage on site and expected it to be taken care of. That is the responsibility of the city to pick up."
Despite the conditions created by the bridge project, Unger said the bridge reconstruction was necessary.
"The bridge was falling apart before," Unger said. "It was literally crumbling."
The project included upgrades to the roadway that approaches the bridge from Woodgate Avenue and Park Lane. The intersections of Park Avenue with Woodgate Avenue, Truax Street, Lincoln Court and Jim Lynch Drive are also being improved.
Contact Kenny Walter at
kwalter@gmnews.com.
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Tuesday, June 30, 2009
City seeks funding for Truax Park soil study
City seeks funding for Truax Park soil study
BY KENNY WALTER Staff Writer
LONG BRANCH — The City Council unanimously passed a resolution at its April 29 meeting that approves an application for funding to investigate a possible hazardous waste discharge at Truax Park, which is located behind the now vacant Elberon School on Park Avenue.
The park, which features baseball diamonds and open grass fields, was built on an old landfill, according to Long Branch BusinessAdministrator Howard Woolley Jr.
"The site was a landfill up until probably the '50's or '60's," Woolley said.
The city has plans to reconstruct the Elberon School and now is applying to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) for funding to investigate conditions at the park.
Long Branch Councilman Brian Unger said plans for the new school revealed the possible contamination at the park site.
"When they were looking at the reconstruction of the Elberon School, they discovered some seepage in the park from the old landfill," Unger said.
Resolution 115-09 was approved by a 4-0 vote. Councilwoman Mary Jane Celli was absent from the meeting.
The application will now go to the DEP, Woolley said.
Long Branch Building and Development Director Kevin Hayes said the state is funding construction of the new school, adding, "The state requires further testing for the land."
DEP spokesman Lawrence Hajna explained that the DEP makes funds available for investigations and site cleanup.
According to the DEP website, a public entity may apply for funding as long as it has a comprehensive redevelopment plan for the area and demonstrates a realistic possibility that the land will be developed within three years.
Municipalities are also eligible for grants and loans through the DEP. Grants are capped at $3 million per year per municipality for a calendar year.
"We put out an application for funding," Woolley said. "They [DEP] will review it and give us the money they think is necessary to research the site."
Woolley did not have a specific timeline on the process
"It really depends on the turnaround time," he said. "They have lost a lot of workers, but it is usually within 45 to 60 days."
The Elberon School is slated to open in 2011. The new school will replace the existing elementary school building on Park Avenue, which was constructed in 1969.
The new school will be 108,786 square feet with a total of 58 classrooms to house approximately 784 students from prekindergarten to fifth grade.
Woolley said he doesn't expect the investigation of the Truax Park site to hold up construction of the school.
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BY KENNY WALTER Staff Writer
LONG BRANCH — The City Council unanimously passed a resolution at its April 29 meeting that approves an application for funding to investigate a possible hazardous waste discharge at Truax Park, which is located behind the now vacant Elberon School on Park Avenue.
The park, which features baseball diamonds and open grass fields, was built on an old landfill, according to Long Branch BusinessAdministrator Howard Woolley Jr.
"The site was a landfill up until probably the '50's or '60's," Woolley said.
The city has plans to reconstruct the Elberon School and now is applying to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) for funding to investigate conditions at the park.
Long Branch Councilman Brian Unger said plans for the new school revealed the possible contamination at the park site.
"When they were looking at the reconstruction of the Elberon School, they discovered some seepage in the park from the old landfill," Unger said.
Resolution 115-09 was approved by a 4-0 vote. Councilwoman Mary Jane Celli was absent from the meeting.
The application will now go to the DEP, Woolley said.
Long Branch Building and Development Director Kevin Hayes said the state is funding construction of the new school, adding, "The state requires further testing for the land."
DEP spokesman Lawrence Hajna explained that the DEP makes funds available for investigations and site cleanup.
According to the DEP website, a public entity may apply for funding as long as it has a comprehensive redevelopment plan for the area and demonstrates a realistic possibility that the land will be developed within three years.
Municipalities are also eligible for grants and loans through the DEP. Grants are capped at $3 million per year per municipality for a calendar year.
"We put out an application for funding," Woolley said. "They [DEP] will review it and give us the money they think is necessary to research the site."
Woolley did not have a specific timeline on the process
"It really depends on the turnaround time," he said. "They have lost a lot of workers, but it is usually within 45 to 60 days."
The Elberon School is slated to open in 2011. The new school will replace the existing elementary school building on Park Avenue, which was constructed in 1969.
The new school will be 108,786 square feet with a total of 58 classrooms to house approximately 784 students from prekindergarten to fifth grade.
Woolley said he doesn't expect the investigation of the Truax Park site to hold up construction of the school.
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Preservation ordinance still on hold
Preservation ordinance still on hold
BY KENNY WALTER Staff Writer
The Long Branch City Council has once again pushed back the introduction of its historic preservation ordinance.
The ordinance was on the agenda for introduction at the April 28 meeting, but the council agreed to postpone the introduction until May 12 so the wording of the proposed ordinance could be refined.
The historic preservation ordinance, initially proposed by Councilman Brian Unger in 2007, aims to protect historical structures in the city by creating a Historic Preservation Advisory Commission that would review the potential effect of development and permit applications on designated historical sites. It also would implement regulations to prevent the demolition of historical structures and regulate the preservation of historical structures and sites. The ordinance had been expected to be introduced at the Feb. 24 council meeting, but Unger requested that sections be rewritten to strengthen the role of the Historic Preservation Advisory Commission.
The City Council. discussed the ordinance during the April 28 workshop session.
Dr. Frank Esposito, Kean University distinguished professor, and Mark Aikins, the city's attorney on this matter attended the workshop.
The council unanimously decided to push back the introduction of the ordinance mainly because some of the language needed to be taken out. Councilwoman Mary Jane Celli was absent .
One of the points of confusion was whether the ordinance would create a historical district, which would involve a greater level of protection.
Aikins cleared up some of the confusion.
"This ordinance does not create a historical district, but it does allow for future historical districts," he explained.
According to Unger, there is general agreement that language about historical districts needs to be taken out of the proposed ordinance.
Esposito was impressed with the ordinance but suggested that modifications need to be made.
"It is a step in the right direction, but it needs some revision," Esposito said, "including downsizing and elimination of reference to a historic district. At this point, it may attempt to do too much."
Esposito added that much of the ordinance is useful and that he supports the creation of a commission to oversee the process.
The ordinance would establish an advisory commission that would compile an inventory of historical sites and structures in the city that could qualify for historical preservation.
The Historic Preservation Advisory Commission would be responsible for determining which properties are eligible for national and state historical preservation designation. Also, the advisory group would advise the Planning and Zoning boards on any application for development involving a historical structure, site, etc. The boards would refer to the commission any application for development, demolition or relocation in historical districts or on historical sites.
The commission would consist of seven members who would serve for four-year terms and two alternate members,
"The creation of the commission would keep a watchful eye on this issue," Esposito said. "The opt-out clause, the linkage of the commission to the Planning Board, and the criteria for designation of both historical and architecturally significant properties are some of the things I liked.
"It just needs to be a more concise document," he added.
The proposed ordinance defines historical properties as any buildings, structures, sites, objects or districts "that possess integrity of location, design, setting, materials, workmanship or association (excluding those located in a redevelopment area) that are: of particular historical significance to the city by reflecting … cultural, political, economic or social history of the nation, state, county or community." Also included are those that are associated with historic personages; sites of historic events; have distinctive characteristics of a type, period or method of architecture or engineering; or representative of the work of an important building designer, artist, engineer, or architect.
The commission would hold public hearings on designating a site or property.
One concern expressed by the administration is that the lists of historical buildings in Long Branch contain several churches.
"Most of the buildings on the lists I've seen are churches," Schneider said. "I don't think I want to be in the business of regulating churches." he said.
Esposito explained that an updated list of historical buildings would need to be created if the ordinance is adopted.
"Another issue discussed at the meeting was safety issues involving some of the older buildings.
Council President Michael DeStefano and Councilman David Brown said there are safety issues that aren't addressed in the ordinance.
"Who maintains them?" DeStefano asked. "Sometimes some things like this can become more burdens than anything else."
"An individual home, just because it's here 100 or 200 years, doesn't mean it should stay," Brown said. "Especially if it's a fire hazard."
The ordinance would regulate only designated sites that require a permit from the city or an application for development to the Planning Board. t
There is also an opt-out clause, allowing owners of historical structures to opt-out of the historical designation. That is something that hasn't affected other communities with similar ordinances, Esposito said.
"Hopefully most will opt in to historic preservation," Esposito said. "That has clearly happened in other communities, such as Pitman, Cape May, Ocean City and Maplewood. The opt out is there to allay any fears that this will lessen the rights of property owners."
At the April 28 regular meeting, the council also introduced the proposed $47.8 million municipal spending plan
The budget was introduced by a 3-1 vote, with Unger voting against introduction and Celli not present.
According to Mehlhorn, the proposed budget is an increase of about $2.8 million over last year's approved $45 million budget
The tax rate would increase by 2 cents, to 59.6 cents per $100 of assessed valuation.
"That equates to about $100 more a year for the average home assessed at just under $500,000," according to Mehlhorn.
Unger was not satisfied with the proposed plan. He said that he would still like to make some cuts, possibly eliminating some administrative clerk positions, including one of the mayor's secretaries, which would save about $49,000 a year.
He also suggested cutting $100,000 in fees paid to the city's labor counsel.
Unger also pushed to have about $45,000 allocated to allow City Council meetings to be televised.
According to the City Clerk's Office, the public hearing on the budget is tentatively scheduled for May 26.
Contact Kenny Walter at
kwalter@gmnews.com.
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BY KENNY WALTER Staff Writer
The Long Branch City Council has once again pushed back the introduction of its historic preservation ordinance.
The ordinance was on the agenda for introduction at the April 28 meeting, but the council agreed to postpone the introduction until May 12 so the wording of the proposed ordinance could be refined.
The historic preservation ordinance, initially proposed by Councilman Brian Unger in 2007, aims to protect historical structures in the city by creating a Historic Preservation Advisory Commission that would review the potential effect of development and permit applications on designated historical sites. It also would implement regulations to prevent the demolition of historical structures and regulate the preservation of historical structures and sites. The ordinance had been expected to be introduced at the Feb. 24 council meeting, but Unger requested that sections be rewritten to strengthen the role of the Historic Preservation Advisory Commission.
The City Council. discussed the ordinance during the April 28 workshop session.
Dr. Frank Esposito, Kean University distinguished professor, and Mark Aikins, the city's attorney on this matter attended the workshop.
The council unanimously decided to push back the introduction of the ordinance mainly because some of the language needed to be taken out. Councilwoman Mary Jane Celli was absent .
One of the points of confusion was whether the ordinance would create a historical district, which would involve a greater level of protection.
Aikins cleared up some of the confusion.
"This ordinance does not create a historical district, but it does allow for future historical districts," he explained.
According to Unger, there is general agreement that language about historical districts needs to be taken out of the proposed ordinance.
Esposito was impressed with the ordinance but suggested that modifications need to be made.
"It is a step in the right direction, but it needs some revision," Esposito said, "including downsizing and elimination of reference to a historic district. At this point, it may attempt to do too much."
Esposito added that much of the ordinance is useful and that he supports the creation of a commission to oversee the process.
The ordinance would establish an advisory commission that would compile an inventory of historical sites and structures in the city that could qualify for historical preservation.
The Historic Preservation Advisory Commission would be responsible for determining which properties are eligible for national and state historical preservation designation. Also, the advisory group would advise the Planning and Zoning boards on any application for development involving a historical structure, site, etc. The boards would refer to the commission any application for development, demolition or relocation in historical districts or on historical sites.
The commission would consist of seven members who would serve for four-year terms and two alternate members,
"The creation of the commission would keep a watchful eye on this issue," Esposito said. "The opt-out clause, the linkage of the commission to the Planning Board, and the criteria for designation of both historical and architecturally significant properties are some of the things I liked.
"It just needs to be a more concise document," he added.
The proposed ordinance defines historical properties as any buildings, structures, sites, objects or districts "that possess integrity of location, design, setting, materials, workmanship or association (excluding those located in a redevelopment area) that are: of particular historical significance to the city by reflecting … cultural, political, economic or social history of the nation, state, county or community." Also included are those that are associated with historic personages; sites of historic events; have distinctive characteristics of a type, period or method of architecture or engineering; or representative of the work of an important building designer, artist, engineer, or architect.
The commission would hold public hearings on designating a site or property.
One concern expressed by the administration is that the lists of historical buildings in Long Branch contain several churches.
"Most of the buildings on the lists I've seen are churches," Schneider said. "I don't think I want to be in the business of regulating churches." he said.
Esposito explained that an updated list of historical buildings would need to be created if the ordinance is adopted.
"Another issue discussed at the meeting was safety issues involving some of the older buildings.
Council President Michael DeStefano and Councilman David Brown said there are safety issues that aren't addressed in the ordinance.
"Who maintains them?" DeStefano asked. "Sometimes some things like this can become more burdens than anything else."
"An individual home, just because it's here 100 or 200 years, doesn't mean it should stay," Brown said. "Especially if it's a fire hazard."
The ordinance would regulate only designated sites that require a permit from the city or an application for development to the Planning Board. t
There is also an opt-out clause, allowing owners of historical structures to opt-out of the historical designation. That is something that hasn't affected other communities with similar ordinances, Esposito said.
"Hopefully most will opt in to historic preservation," Esposito said. "That has clearly happened in other communities, such as Pitman, Cape May, Ocean City and Maplewood. The opt out is there to allay any fears that this will lessen the rights of property owners."
At the April 28 regular meeting, the council also introduced the proposed $47.8 million municipal spending plan
The budget was introduced by a 3-1 vote, with Unger voting against introduction and Celli not present.
According to Mehlhorn, the proposed budget is an increase of about $2.8 million over last year's approved $45 million budget
The tax rate would increase by 2 cents, to 59.6 cents per $100 of assessed valuation.
"That equates to about $100 more a year for the average home assessed at just under $500,000," according to Mehlhorn.
Unger was not satisfied with the proposed plan. He said that he would still like to make some cuts, possibly eliminating some administrative clerk positions, including one of the mayor's secretaries, which would save about $49,000 a year.
He also suggested cutting $100,000 in fees paid to the city's labor counsel.
Unger also pushed to have about $45,000 allocated to allow City Council meetings to be televised.
According to the City Clerk's Office, the public hearing on the budget is tentatively scheduled for May 26.
Contact Kenny Walter at
kwalter@gmnews.com.
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Monday, June 22, 2009
BOE president questions benefits of consolidation
BOE president questions benefits of consolidation
Karavites: Tinton Falls will stop accepting Earle students
BY KENNY WALTER Staff Writer
TINTON FALLS — Board of Education President Peter Karavites isn't convinced that consolidating school districts would result in benefits to the district.
In fact, in a presentation on April 27, Karavites questioned whether cost savings, a major reason cited for consolidating local school districts, would result from combining the Tinton Falls district with neighboring school districts.
"Positives: they tell us it will reduce costs," Karavites said. "We can get rid of a superintendent or two, a business administrator or two, and save some money there."
But, he told those at the meeting, he believes that eliminating some high-end positions might not even result in cost savings for the district and could actually result in the addition of administrative positions.
School consolidation was one of the topics at the special public meeting April 27, which was attended by members of the borough school board, Tinton Falls Superintendent John Russo, members of the Borough Council, including Mayor Peter Maclearie, and members of the public.
The study is a proposal by Monmouth County Executive Superintendent of Schools Carole Knopp Morris, who is considering a school consolidation feasibility study that could result in the merger of several area school districts.
The study, which is expected to be conducted in the coming months, will focus on the possible merger of smaller school districts as well as elimination of non-K-12 and nonoperating school districts.
The move toward K-12 districts would allow school districts to come into compliance with the state's current grade structure, which calls for districts to be configured from grades kindergarten through 12.
One of the areas of focus will be the consolidation of the Tinton Falls, Shrewsbury Township, Eatontown and Monmouth Regional High School districts, Karavites said.
"We have been chosen to have a study done about regionalization," he said at the meeting. "They will come back and let us know what that study said."
Karavites told those in attendance that if the study recommends consolidation, each district would have an opportunity to vote on it.
"Just so you know, every school district has a chance to say no," Karavites said.
"Shrewsbury Township has to
say yes. Eatontown has to say yes, the high school has to say yes and Tinton Falls has to say yes."
If one says no, then under current law it doesn't happen."
Karavites also cited the higher cost per pupil of regional schools.
"Every single regional school has the highest cost per student in Monmouth County," he said.
According to the New Jersey Department of Education 2007-08 public school report card, the average cost per pupil for Monmouth Regional is $20,652, which is more than $5,000 above the state average.
Another positive of consolidation cited by the state is the integration of curriculums, Karavites said, adding that the Tinton Falls district has already accomplished this goal.
"We work with the high school and meet with Eatontown already and have integration," he said.
Some negative results of consolidation, according to Karavites, would be assuming the costs of other districts and having taxpayers lose their representation.
"Now the negatives, they don't tell you about those," Karavites said. "We will assume the costs of the high school and Eatontown and they will assume ours."
"Right now you have a great school board," Karavites said. "I'll tell you right now they're great."
The Tinton Falls Board of Education currently consists of eight members from Tinton Falls and one from Shrewsbury Township. According to Karavites, the board of the proposed school district would consist of four members from Tinton Falls, one from Shrewsbury Township and four from Eatontown.
"When you have a problem with the school, you'll be talking to four people from Eatontown, one from Shrewsbury and four from Tinton Falls," he added. "And your four members will sit there and say, 'We tried.'
"You will lose your representation."
Karavites went on to say that while he is against regionalization, if the study result is positive for the district, then he would look into it.
"We, as a responsible Board of Education, have to look at the report," he said. "If they come out with some studies that say you're going to save taxpayers $5,000 a year per person, then we have to look at that.
"Do I think that will happen?" he added. "No, and I definitely think in a year or two those costs will go up."
The feasibility study is expected to begin in the spring and is expected to be presented by 2010.
Also discussed at the meeting was the privatization of housing units at Naval Weapons Station Earle in Colts Neck and the potential effect on the school district.
Karavites spoke of a pending lawsuit filed by the district against the county superintendent, state commissioner of education and Colts Neck Board of Education.
In the lawsuit, the district maintains that Tinton Falls is only responsible for educating Navy children living at Earle and has no responsibility for educating children living at the base who are not Navy dependents.
The suit results from the U.S. Navy's plans to convert 300 private military housing units on Earle to public housing in 2010. The residential units known as the Laurelwood housing are located within the borders of Colts Neck.
Privatization of the units has become an issue for Tinton Falls, which for the past 20 years has educated the children of Navy personnel stationed at Earle under an agreement with the Navy.
Karavites cited New Jersey law that states that a school district must request that children who live outside of its boundaries attend school in the district.
"The law says that the district has to request the children to the county superintendent," he said. "We requested the Navy [dependents]. If you do not request the children, they shall go to the school at which they reside. That's pretty simple, right?"
Karavites also explained that while there is a contract between the Navy and the Tinton Falls district, there is no contract between the Navy and Monmouth Regional High School.
So, he said, no matter what the disposition of the dispute between the Navy and Tinton Falls, the students who live at Earle would have to go to a different high school.
Karavites went on to say that he would fight for the Tinton Falls taxpayer.
"We will not educate hundreds of children on the backs of our taxpayers," he said. "That is not fair. That is not right. So we will be fighting back.
"If 2010 comes, we will not register those children until someone like the state police comes in and says you have to," he added. "We will fight as hard as we can."
Contact Kenny Walter at
kwalter@gmnews.com.
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Karavites: Tinton Falls will stop accepting Earle students
BY KENNY WALTER Staff Writer
TINTON FALLS — Board of Education President Peter Karavites isn't convinced that consolidating school districts would result in benefits to the district.
In fact, in a presentation on April 27, Karavites questioned whether cost savings, a major reason cited for consolidating local school districts, would result from combining the Tinton Falls district with neighboring school districts.
"Positives: they tell us it will reduce costs," Karavites said. "We can get rid of a superintendent or two, a business administrator or two, and save some money there."
But, he told those at the meeting, he believes that eliminating some high-end positions might not even result in cost savings for the district and could actually result in the addition of administrative positions.
School consolidation was one of the topics at the special public meeting April 27, which was attended by members of the borough school board, Tinton Falls Superintendent John Russo, members of the Borough Council, including Mayor Peter Maclearie, and members of the public.
The study is a proposal by Monmouth County Executive Superintendent of Schools Carole Knopp Morris, who is considering a school consolidation feasibility study that could result in the merger of several area school districts.
The study, which is expected to be conducted in the coming months, will focus on the possible merger of smaller school districts as well as elimination of non-K-12 and nonoperating school districts.
The move toward K-12 districts would allow school districts to come into compliance with the state's current grade structure, which calls for districts to be configured from grades kindergarten through 12.
One of the areas of focus will be the consolidation of the Tinton Falls, Shrewsbury Township, Eatontown and Monmouth Regional High School districts, Karavites said.
"We have been chosen to have a study done about regionalization," he said at the meeting. "They will come back and let us know what that study said."
Karavites told those in attendance that if the study recommends consolidation, each district would have an opportunity to vote on it.
"Just so you know, every school district has a chance to say no," Karavites said.
"Shrewsbury Township has to
say yes. Eatontown has to say yes, the high school has to say yes and Tinton Falls has to say yes."
If one says no, then under current law it doesn't happen."
Karavites also cited the higher cost per pupil of regional schools.
"Every single regional school has the highest cost per student in Monmouth County," he said.
According to the New Jersey Department of Education 2007-08 public school report card, the average cost per pupil for Monmouth Regional is $20,652, which is more than $5,000 above the state average.
Another positive of consolidation cited by the state is the integration of curriculums, Karavites said, adding that the Tinton Falls district has already accomplished this goal.
"We work with the high school and meet with Eatontown already and have integration," he said.
Some negative results of consolidation, according to Karavites, would be assuming the costs of other districts and having taxpayers lose their representation.
"Now the negatives, they don't tell you about those," Karavites said. "We will assume the costs of the high school and Eatontown and they will assume ours."
"Right now you have a great school board," Karavites said. "I'll tell you right now they're great."
The Tinton Falls Board of Education currently consists of eight members from Tinton Falls and one from Shrewsbury Township. According to Karavites, the board of the proposed school district would consist of four members from Tinton Falls, one from Shrewsbury Township and four from Eatontown.
"When you have a problem with the school, you'll be talking to four people from Eatontown, one from Shrewsbury and four from Tinton Falls," he added. "And your four members will sit there and say, 'We tried.'
"You will lose your representation."
Karavites went on to say that while he is against regionalization, if the study result is positive for the district, then he would look into it.
"We, as a responsible Board of Education, have to look at the report," he said. "If they come out with some studies that say you're going to save taxpayers $5,000 a year per person, then we have to look at that.
"Do I think that will happen?" he added. "No, and I definitely think in a year or two those costs will go up."
The feasibility study is expected to begin in the spring and is expected to be presented by 2010.
Also discussed at the meeting was the privatization of housing units at Naval Weapons Station Earle in Colts Neck and the potential effect on the school district.
Karavites spoke of a pending lawsuit filed by the district against the county superintendent, state commissioner of education and Colts Neck Board of Education.
In the lawsuit, the district maintains that Tinton Falls is only responsible for educating Navy children living at Earle and has no responsibility for educating children living at the base who are not Navy dependents.
The suit results from the U.S. Navy's plans to convert 300 private military housing units on Earle to public housing in 2010. The residential units known as the Laurelwood housing are located within the borders of Colts Neck.
Privatization of the units has become an issue for Tinton Falls, which for the past 20 years has educated the children of Navy personnel stationed at Earle under an agreement with the Navy.
Karavites cited New Jersey law that states that a school district must request that children who live outside of its boundaries attend school in the district.
"The law says that the district has to request the children to the county superintendent," he said. "We requested the Navy [dependents]. If you do not request the children, they shall go to the school at which they reside. That's pretty simple, right?"
Karavites also explained that while there is a contract between the Navy and the Tinton Falls district, there is no contract between the Navy and Monmouth Regional High School.
So, he said, no matter what the disposition of the dispute between the Navy and Tinton Falls, the students who live at Earle would have to go to a different high school.
Karavites went on to say that he would fight for the Tinton Falls taxpayer.
"We will not educate hundreds of children on the backs of our taxpayers," he said. "That is not fair. That is not right. So we will be fighting back.
"If 2010 comes, we will not register those children until someone like the state police comes in and says you have to," he added. "We will fight as hard as we can."
Contact Kenny Walter at
kwalter@gmnews.com.
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CURE to host Casino Night fundraiser
CURE to host Casino Night fundraiser
BY KENNY WALTER Staff Writer
TINTON FALLS — Tinton Falls CURE (Caring Unselfishly Renews Everyone) will hold its first Casino Night fundraiser Friday, May 15, to help provide financial support for borough families faced with catastrophic illnesses.
The event will be held from 7 p.m. to midnight at the Robert B. Meyner Reception Center at the PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel.
CURE has been in existence since 1997 and raises funds to cover medical expenses not covered by health insurance.
"You can apply to our committee to submit your medical bills," CURE Executive Board member Toni Grimm explained last week.
Tinton Falls CURE was established when a young boy in the community was diagnosed with cancer and the group formed to assist his family with medical expenses.
Grimm is looking forward to the event, which will be the first event the organization will hold at the reception center and the first time it will host a casino event.
The night will include casino-style games, plus dinner, dancing, music, casino games such as blackjack, roulette, craps and money wheels, Grimm said.
Grimm said the casino games will lead up to a gift auction.
"At the end of the night there will be a gift auction," Grimm said. "We don't have any gifts valued at under $100. We have gift baskets with smaller gifts that equal $100 in value, as well as some bigger gifts such as an iPod or a TV," she added.
While the games presented are commonly associated with gambling, the chips will not be traded in for money, but for gifts.
"Also, if say you don't want to gamble, you can just buy tickets for the auction directly," she added.
This may be the biggest event CURE has taken on, according to Grimm, who explained that the group has run smaller events in the past.
"Two years ago we had a smaller gift auction," Grimm said.
One of the reasons why there aren't more frequent events, according to Grimm, is that the organization has a limited number of volunteers.
"We are small in volunteers with only 12," Grimm said.
CURE can be reached at its website, http://tintonfallscure.org/default.htm, or via email at emailus@tintonfallscure.org.
Meetings are held on the third Thursday of every month at the Tinton Falls Municipal Building.
Contact Kenny Walter at
kwalter@gmnews.com.
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BY KENNY WALTER Staff Writer
TINTON FALLS — Tinton Falls CURE (Caring Unselfishly Renews Everyone) will hold its first Casino Night fundraiser Friday, May 15, to help provide financial support for borough families faced with catastrophic illnesses.
The event will be held from 7 p.m. to midnight at the Robert B. Meyner Reception Center at the PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel.
CURE has been in existence since 1997 and raises funds to cover medical expenses not covered by health insurance.
"You can apply to our committee to submit your medical bills," CURE Executive Board member Toni Grimm explained last week.
Tinton Falls CURE was established when a young boy in the community was diagnosed with cancer and the group formed to assist his family with medical expenses.
Grimm is looking forward to the event, which will be the first event the organization will hold at the reception center and the first time it will host a casino event.
The night will include casino-style games, plus dinner, dancing, music, casino games such as blackjack, roulette, craps and money wheels, Grimm said.
Grimm said the casino games will lead up to a gift auction.
"At the end of the night there will be a gift auction," Grimm said. "We don't have any gifts valued at under $100. We have gift baskets with smaller gifts that equal $100 in value, as well as some bigger gifts such as an iPod or a TV," she added.
While the games presented are commonly associated with gambling, the chips will not be traded in for money, but for gifts.
"Also, if say you don't want to gamble, you can just buy tickets for the auction directly," she added.
This may be the biggest event CURE has taken on, according to Grimm, who explained that the group has run smaller events in the past.
"Two years ago we had a smaller gift auction," Grimm said.
One of the reasons why there aren't more frequent events, according to Grimm, is that the organization has a limited number of volunteers.
"We are small in volunteers with only 12," Grimm said.
CURE can be reached at its website, http://tintonfallscure.org/default.htm, or via email at emailus@tintonfallscure.org.
Meetings are held on the third Thursday of every month at the Tinton Falls Municipal Building.
Contact Kenny Walter at
kwalter@gmnews.com.
Click here to enlarge
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Maclearie runs on proven leadership record
Maclearie runs on proven leadership record
Team agrees Earle housing, closing of fort major issues
BY KENNY WALTER Staff Writer
TINTON FALLS — Mayor Peter Maclearie is basing his run for a second, four-year term as mayor on a record of achievement.
"Four years ago, I promised to control taxes, curb development and expand open space in the borough, and I'm proud to say that my administration has done exactly that," he said.
There are two open seats on the Tinton Falls Borough Council as council Vice President Michael Skudera is challenging Maclearie in the race for mayor. Councilman Paul Ford decided not to seek re-election.
Maclearie's running mates in the May 12 nonpartisan municipal election are Planning Board member Michael Stanton and EMT Robert Harvey, who are seeking four-year terms on the Borough Council. The team is running under the name "Proven Leadership, Real Results."
"I'm proud to form an experienced team with Mike and Bob, who have been so dedicated to Tinton Falls," Maclearie said. Maclearie, chief financial officer atAtlantic Coast Media Group, is running on a record of experience in borough government. Along with his four years as mayor, Maclearie has served for seven years on the council, four years on the Planning Board and two years on the Zoning Board.
Tinton Falls Mayor Peter Maclearie (center) with his two running mates, Bob Harvey (l) and Mike Stanton
He has also been chairman of, and council liaison to, the Open Space Committee for five years.
An original member of the Open Space Committee, Maclearie cites his impact in preserving open space in the borough.
"I revitalized the Open Space Committee, resulting in the successful preservation of several key parcels identified by the committee and the development of a plan for future acquisitions," he said.
Maclearie noted other accomplishments that mark his term as mayor.
"We also instituted a road repair program, preserved open space and controlled development with a highly responsible Planning Board," he added.
Harvey and Stanton lauded the mayor's history of getting things done.
"I know this may sound like a cliché, but Pete is the mayor for the people," Harvey said. "He isn't trying to get elected on what he can do, he is out there day to day working."
"I have known the mayor for a long time," Stanton said. "He has done a lot for Tinton Falls."
One of the major accomplishments Maclearie takes credit for is his work on the municipal budget.
"In 2007 we had no increase and in 2008," he said, "we had a 2 percent rise, just .13 cents a day for the average homeowner."
"We want to get the most 'bang for the buck' for the taxpayers," Stanton said. "Making a sensible budget is a big concern."
Maclearie also said that he has managed to save taxpayers money and still improve services in the borough.
"We saved taxpayers almost a half-million dollars from the projected costs of the borough hall project," Maclearie said. "We also saved the borough between $70,000-$80,000 by cutting benefits for the council.
"We have an outstanding track record of fiscal responsibility," Maclearie added. "I have a degree in finance and 28 years of corporate finance background."
Maclearie also had good things to say about his running mates.
"Mike is a valuable member of the Planning Board," Maclearie said. "He has coached in the Recreation Department [leagues] and is the president of the Tinton Falls Girls Softball League.
"Bob [who is captain of the EMS South squad] gets a lot of credit," Maclearie said. "It's one thing to volunteer, and I give a lot of credit to those who volunteer, but it's another thing to be responsible for the whole squad.
"Bob is somebody who is not afraid to roll up his sleeves."
Harvey believes it is important to good government in Tinton Falls for council members to be on the same page.
"I think the council needs to work as a cohesive unit," Harvey said. "It is my hope that Mike and myself, along with [councilmen] Andy [Mayer], Duane [Morrill] and Gary [Baldwin], will create a cohesive unit to move forward with some major projects."
Harvey also said that he and the mayor have had a good working relationship over the years.
"We had an excellent relationship from the start," Harvey said. Stanton has been a Tinton Falls resident for 17 years, and, along with serving on the Planning Board and coaching the Girls Softball League, he is chairman of the Library Committee.
Harvey, a Tinton Falls resident for 14 years, is employed at Morgan Stanley and serves as a delegate to the New Jersey First Aid Council.
Maclearie has mapped out an agenda for his second term that includes a continued focus on controlling spending and taxes; enhancing the quality of life for residents; preservation of open space; controlled redevelopment of Fort Monmouth; and fighting to keep civilian housing out of Earle.
"There are some major issues in Tinton Falls," Maclearie said. "I am proud of what we have done the last four years."
"And there's plenty more to do, especially with the closing of Fort Monmouth and proposed Earle housing as huge issues that we as a community need to continue to address."
Harvey believes that the privatization of the Earle housing may be the most important issue facing Tinton Falls.
"We are a small community with some national headline issues," Harvey said. "We have a lot that needs to be addressed, but I think Earle might be the most important."
Harvey said he supports a proposal to house retired military personnel at Earle.
"It would alleviate a huge burden on the schools and the taxpayers," he said.
"I also support that proposal," Stanton said. "It is unfortunate that we are put in this position. The impact shouldn't fall on Tinton Falls."
Maclearie said that while he is proud of his accomplishments, there is plenty of work ahead.
"We are trying to make bold decisions and choices," Maclearie said. "We need to be leaders, not followers."
Contact Kenny Walter at
kwalter@gmnews.com.
Team agrees Earle housing, closing of fort major issues
BY KENNY WALTER Staff Writer
TINTON FALLS — Mayor Peter Maclearie is basing his run for a second, four-year term as mayor on a record of achievement.
"Four years ago, I promised to control taxes, curb development and expand open space in the borough, and I'm proud to say that my administration has done exactly that," he said.
There are two open seats on the Tinton Falls Borough Council as council Vice President Michael Skudera is challenging Maclearie in the race for mayor. Councilman Paul Ford decided not to seek re-election.
Maclearie's running mates in the May 12 nonpartisan municipal election are Planning Board member Michael Stanton and EMT Robert Harvey, who are seeking four-year terms on the Borough Council. The team is running under the name "Proven Leadership, Real Results."
"I'm proud to form an experienced team with Mike and Bob, who have been so dedicated to Tinton Falls," Maclearie said. Maclearie, chief financial officer atAtlantic Coast Media Group, is running on a record of experience in borough government. Along with his four years as mayor, Maclearie has served for seven years on the council, four years on the Planning Board and two years on the Zoning Board.
Tinton Falls Mayor Peter Maclearie (center) with his two running mates, Bob Harvey (l) and Mike Stanton
He has also been chairman of, and council liaison to, the Open Space Committee for five years.
An original member of the Open Space Committee, Maclearie cites his impact in preserving open space in the borough.
"I revitalized the Open Space Committee, resulting in the successful preservation of several key parcels identified by the committee and the development of a plan for future acquisitions," he said.
Maclearie noted other accomplishments that mark his term as mayor.
"We also instituted a road repair program, preserved open space and controlled development with a highly responsible Planning Board," he added.
Harvey and Stanton lauded the mayor's history of getting things done.
"I know this may sound like a cliché, but Pete is the mayor for the people," Harvey said. "He isn't trying to get elected on what he can do, he is out there day to day working."
"I have known the mayor for a long time," Stanton said. "He has done a lot for Tinton Falls."
One of the major accomplishments Maclearie takes credit for is his work on the municipal budget.
"In 2007 we had no increase and in 2008," he said, "we had a 2 percent rise, just .13 cents a day for the average homeowner."
"We want to get the most 'bang for the buck' for the taxpayers," Stanton said. "Making a sensible budget is a big concern."
Maclearie also said that he has managed to save taxpayers money and still improve services in the borough.
"We saved taxpayers almost a half-million dollars from the projected costs of the borough hall project," Maclearie said. "We also saved the borough between $70,000-$80,000 by cutting benefits for the council.
"We have an outstanding track record of fiscal responsibility," Maclearie added. "I have a degree in finance and 28 years of corporate finance background."
Maclearie also had good things to say about his running mates.
"Mike is a valuable member of the Planning Board," Maclearie said. "He has coached in the Recreation Department [leagues] and is the president of the Tinton Falls Girls Softball League.
"Bob [who is captain of the EMS South squad] gets a lot of credit," Maclearie said. "It's one thing to volunteer, and I give a lot of credit to those who volunteer, but it's another thing to be responsible for the whole squad.
"Bob is somebody who is not afraid to roll up his sleeves."
Harvey believes it is important to good government in Tinton Falls for council members to be on the same page.
"I think the council needs to work as a cohesive unit," Harvey said. "It is my hope that Mike and myself, along with [councilmen] Andy [Mayer], Duane [Morrill] and Gary [Baldwin], will create a cohesive unit to move forward with some major projects."
Harvey also said that he and the mayor have had a good working relationship over the years.
"We had an excellent relationship from the start," Harvey said. Stanton has been a Tinton Falls resident for 17 years, and, along with serving on the Planning Board and coaching the Girls Softball League, he is chairman of the Library Committee.
Harvey, a Tinton Falls resident for 14 years, is employed at Morgan Stanley and serves as a delegate to the New Jersey First Aid Council.
Maclearie has mapped out an agenda for his second term that includes a continued focus on controlling spending and taxes; enhancing the quality of life for residents; preservation of open space; controlled redevelopment of Fort Monmouth; and fighting to keep civilian housing out of Earle.
"There are some major issues in Tinton Falls," Maclearie said. "I am proud of what we have done the last four years."
"And there's plenty more to do, especially with the closing of Fort Monmouth and proposed Earle housing as huge issues that we as a community need to continue to address."
Harvey believes that the privatization of the Earle housing may be the most important issue facing Tinton Falls.
"We are a small community with some national headline issues," Harvey said. "We have a lot that needs to be addressed, but I think Earle might be the most important."
Harvey said he supports a proposal to house retired military personnel at Earle.
"It would alleviate a huge burden on the schools and the taxpayers," he said.
"I also support that proposal," Stanton said. "It is unfortunate that we are put in this position. The impact shouldn't fall on Tinton Falls."
Maclearie said that while he is proud of his accomplishments, there is plenty of work ahead.
"We are trying to make bold decisions and choices," Maclearie said. "We need to be leaders, not followers."
Contact Kenny Walter at
kwalter@gmnews.com.
Friday, June 19, 2009
Sludera team wants open government
Skudera team wants open government
Fiscal responsibility, Earle housing major issues
BY KENNY WALTER Staff Writer
TINTON FALLS — Borough Councilman Michael Skudera is entering the home stretch in his run for mayor.
Skudera is challenging current Mayor Peter Maclearie, who is seeking re-election to his second term in the borough's nonpartisan elections on May 12.
With Skudera running for mayor and current Councilman Paul Ford not seeking re-election, there are two, four-year terms up for election on the Tinton Falls Borough Council.
Skudera's running mates are Scott Larkin, vice principal of Monmouth Regional High School, and Nancy Anne Fama, vice president of Human Resources for Food Circus Super Markets.
Fama also is a former production manager for the New York Mayor's Office of Operations under former Mayor Ed Koch.
Skudera, current deputy council president, feels he has a strong team that is in agreement on the issues facing the borough.
"I am very happy to be able to run with them," he said. "Tinton Falls is a great town and we are taking steps to make it better."
Skudera has been a member of the council since 2005. He is a project manager overseeing multimillion-dollar projects and has more than a decade of experience in the technology field. All of the candidates acknowledge that there are serious issues facing the borough.
Michael Skudera (l-r), Nancy Anne Fama and Scott Larkin
Skudera believes that the first priority is the municipal budget.
"The first issue is being fiscally responsible," Skudera said. "We need to have a stable budget."
In an email, Skudera said as a council member he has helped to trim the budget by voting to end health benefits for the mayor and council, pushing for competitive bidding on all projects, and working to save the borough $200,000 on a new phone system.
"We are looking to make our government live within its means," Larkin added.
While the budget is one platform the team is running on, Skudera would also like to improve transparency in borough government.
"My main decision was for more open government," Skudera said. "I want to take an active approach and reach out with the school board and other towns about [sharing] services.
"We need to reach out and communicate better," Skudera added. "We need to be more responsive."
Fama agrees that there are several issues Tinton Falls is facing, but she feels a transparent, responsible government should be high on the list.
"I think the most important issue is getting a good team in place," Fama said in an interview. "It is about opening up the lines of communication with the government and the residents."
One of the ways Skudera would improve transparency in Tinton Falls is by upgrading the town's Web page.
Skudera wants to add more downloadable documents to the page, which is something he said he would do right away if elected.
"It is something I can do with executive order," Skudera said. "The more important documents that we post online, the less phone calls we get and the less copying we have to do."
Skudera also said an open line of communication with the borough schools is crucial for the borough administration.
As a member of council, according to Skudera, he was instrumental in establishing a liaison to the Board of Education, a post currently held by Ford.
"One thing I've done is create a school board liaison on council," Skudera said. "We are now able to work on issues back and forth with the school board and have an open dialogue."
Skudera also wants to implement more oversight committees for Tinton Falls.
"As mayor, I'd like any project we take on to have oversight," he said.
Another important issue in Tinton Falls is the privatization of housing at Naval Weapons Station Earle in Colts Neck.
Under a contract with the U.S. Navy, Tinton Falls currently educates children of Navy personnel living at Earle. A proposal to privatize 300 housing units at Earle could result in non-Navydependent students who the borough maintains it is not obligated to educate.
During an April 7 council meeting, a proposal was made to designate the housing for retired military veterans.
Skudera sees the proposal as a viable option if the right stipulations are met.
"I think it is a good plan if there is some age restriction to it," Skudera said. "Veterans can have families too. I don't want it to be a burden to our taxpayers."
"We need to figure out the Earle housing issue in a way that doesn't burden our taxpayers," Fama said, "in a way that benefits Tinton Falls."
Fama and Larkin said they were impressed with Skudera from the start.
"A few months ago I met with Mike," Larkin said. "We had long conversations that had very little to do with politics. We talked about our families and jobs and our past. We realized we had very similar political views. Our personalities meshed."
"I've been impressed with his tireless work," Fama said.
While Skudera is looking forward to the opportunity to become mayor, he is also happy to be working with Larkin and Fama.
"I think they have a lot of good experience," Skudera said. "Nancy with the Office of Operations in New York and Scott with the school system.
"We are a good team that is energetic, passionate and organized," Fama added.
One of the reasons Fama believes the team will be successful is that they are a diverse group.
"We bring a good mix of diversity to the council," Fama said. "We have a good mix of ages and genders. We have a good blend of experience and diversity."
Both candidates for council say that now is the right time to enter the political realm.
"I really wanted to start putting some roots down," Larkin said. "I wanted to become more involved."
"I think this is a good point in my life," Fama said. "It is a good time to get more involved."
Larkin also has an experienced family member he can lean on, as his father is the mayor of nearby Ocean Township.
Advice from his father is something Larkin will look for.
"It's been great watching him serve the town," he said. "I'll be lucky to have half the impact that he's had."
As for Skudera, he says he is going to bring the same work ethic he brought to the Borough Council to the mayor's office if elected.
"I'd like to see the government and town improve," Skudera said. "It's a great town and we are committed to working with other towns and working with the school system to make it better."
Contact Kenny Walter at
kwalter@gmnews.com.
Click here to enlarge
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Fiscal responsibility, Earle housing major issues
BY KENNY WALTER Staff Writer
TINTON FALLS — Borough Councilman Michael Skudera is entering the home stretch in his run for mayor.
Skudera is challenging current Mayor Peter Maclearie, who is seeking re-election to his second term in the borough's nonpartisan elections on May 12.
With Skudera running for mayor and current Councilman Paul Ford not seeking re-election, there are two, four-year terms up for election on the Tinton Falls Borough Council.
Skudera's running mates are Scott Larkin, vice principal of Monmouth Regional High School, and Nancy Anne Fama, vice president of Human Resources for Food Circus Super Markets.
Fama also is a former production manager for the New York Mayor's Office of Operations under former Mayor Ed Koch.
Skudera, current deputy council president, feels he has a strong team that is in agreement on the issues facing the borough.
"I am very happy to be able to run with them," he said. "Tinton Falls is a great town and we are taking steps to make it better."
Skudera has been a member of the council since 2005. He is a project manager overseeing multimillion-dollar projects and has more than a decade of experience in the technology field. All of the candidates acknowledge that there are serious issues facing the borough.
Michael Skudera (l-r), Nancy Anne Fama and Scott Larkin
Skudera believes that the first priority is the municipal budget.
"The first issue is being fiscally responsible," Skudera said. "We need to have a stable budget."
In an email, Skudera said as a council member he has helped to trim the budget by voting to end health benefits for the mayor and council, pushing for competitive bidding on all projects, and working to save the borough $200,000 on a new phone system.
"We are looking to make our government live within its means," Larkin added.
While the budget is one platform the team is running on, Skudera would also like to improve transparency in borough government.
"My main decision was for more open government," Skudera said. "I want to take an active approach and reach out with the school board and other towns about [sharing] services.
"We need to reach out and communicate better," Skudera added. "We need to be more responsive."
Fama agrees that there are several issues Tinton Falls is facing, but she feels a transparent, responsible government should be high on the list.
"I think the most important issue is getting a good team in place," Fama said in an interview. "It is about opening up the lines of communication with the government and the residents."
One of the ways Skudera would improve transparency in Tinton Falls is by upgrading the town's Web page.
Skudera wants to add more downloadable documents to the page, which is something he said he would do right away if elected.
"It is something I can do with executive order," Skudera said. "The more important documents that we post online, the less phone calls we get and the less copying we have to do."
Skudera also said an open line of communication with the borough schools is crucial for the borough administration.
As a member of council, according to Skudera, he was instrumental in establishing a liaison to the Board of Education, a post currently held by Ford.
"One thing I've done is create a school board liaison on council," Skudera said. "We are now able to work on issues back and forth with the school board and have an open dialogue."
Skudera also wants to implement more oversight committees for Tinton Falls.
"As mayor, I'd like any project we take on to have oversight," he said.
Another important issue in Tinton Falls is the privatization of housing at Naval Weapons Station Earle in Colts Neck.
Under a contract with the U.S. Navy, Tinton Falls currently educates children of Navy personnel living at Earle. A proposal to privatize 300 housing units at Earle could result in non-Navydependent students who the borough maintains it is not obligated to educate.
During an April 7 council meeting, a proposal was made to designate the housing for retired military veterans.
Skudera sees the proposal as a viable option if the right stipulations are met.
"I think it is a good plan if there is some age restriction to it," Skudera said. "Veterans can have families too. I don't want it to be a burden to our taxpayers."
"We need to figure out the Earle housing issue in a way that doesn't burden our taxpayers," Fama said, "in a way that benefits Tinton Falls."
Fama and Larkin said they were impressed with Skudera from the start.
"A few months ago I met with Mike," Larkin said. "We had long conversations that had very little to do with politics. We talked about our families and jobs and our past. We realized we had very similar political views. Our personalities meshed."
"I've been impressed with his tireless work," Fama said.
While Skudera is looking forward to the opportunity to become mayor, he is also happy to be working with Larkin and Fama.
"I think they have a lot of good experience," Skudera said. "Nancy with the Office of Operations in New York and Scott with the school system.
"We are a good team that is energetic, passionate and organized," Fama added.
One of the reasons Fama believes the team will be successful is that they are a diverse group.
"We bring a good mix of diversity to the council," Fama said. "We have a good mix of ages and genders. We have a good blend of experience and diversity."
Both candidates for council say that now is the right time to enter the political realm.
"I really wanted to start putting some roots down," Larkin said. "I wanted to become more involved."
"I think this is a good point in my life," Fama said. "It is a good time to get more involved."
Larkin also has an experienced family member he can lean on, as his father is the mayor of nearby Ocean Township.
Advice from his father is something Larkin will look for.
"It's been great watching him serve the town," he said. "I'll be lucky to have half the impact that he's had."
As for Skudera, he says he is going to bring the same work ethic he brought to the Borough Council to the mayor's office if elected.
"I'd like to see the government and town improve," Skudera said. "It's a great town and we are committed to working with other towns and working with the school system to make it better."
Contact Kenny Walter at
kwalter@gmnews.com.
Click here to enlarge
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Sunday, June 14, 2009
L.B. school budget fails by nine votes
L.B. school budget fails by nine votes
Spending plan passes in all but two Elberon districts
BY KENNY WALTER Staff Writer
LONG BRANCH — The Long Branch School District budget for 2009-10 was defeated on April 21 by a margin of just nine votes, 402-393, with taxpayers in most districts of the city voting to approve the spending plan.
The $86.2 million spending plan, which called for a tax levy of $31.5 million, was defeated by single-digit votes a year after virtually the same budget total passed by a margin of just six votes.
The proposed budget would have increased the tax rate by 0.08 cents per $100 of assessed valuation to 61.7 cents per $100.
The owner of the average assessed home would pay about $2,900 in school taxes under the proposed budget.
State aid for 2009-10 for the district, which is an Abbott district, will remain the same as last year at around $40.7 million.
Long Branch School District Superintendent Joseph Ferraina said the district did everything possible to keep taxes down.
"We made a conscious effort to keep taxes to the minimum," he said. "We really thought about the economic situation. We made no increase this year, and we are seriously looking to cut costs next year."
According to Ferraina, as an Abbott district, the proposed tax levy was mandated by the state, and the district could not go lower.
"Every budget has a minimum tax levy," Ferraina said. "Ours is the same as last year."
According to Ferraina, just because the tax levy failed to gain the support of voters doesn't mean it won't ultimately be put into effect.
The tax levy now becomes the city's decision, a decision that Ferraina hasn't put a timetable on.
"The city must now approve and certify the tax levy," Ferraina said. "When? That is up to the city now."
Ferraina explained that the budget passed in most Lang Branch districts, with the exception of two districts in Elberon.
"We lost by about 50 votes in Elberon," Ferraina said. "So, we did well for most of the city."
Ferraina also admitted that the district is looking at ways to cut costs.
"One way we may save money in the future is by closing the elementary school on the West End," Ferraina said. "We have a principal retiring and teachers leaving, so we can shut down the school and save money and no one loses a job.
"We are not just looking at this budget," Ferraina said. "We are looking at ways to cut costs for 2009, 2010, 2011 and all the way up to 2012."
"I am breaking my back trying to cut costs and still educate the children of Long Branch as best we can," Ferraina added.
Voters re-elected three incumbents to three three-year terms on the Long Branch Board of Education. Mary George, Lucille Perez and Bill Dangler ran unopposed and retained their seats on the school board.
Contact Kenny Walter at
kwalter@gmnews.com.
Spending plan passes in all but two Elberon districts
BY KENNY WALTER Staff Writer
LONG BRANCH — The Long Branch School District budget for 2009-10 was defeated on April 21 by a margin of just nine votes, 402-393, with taxpayers in most districts of the city voting to approve the spending plan.
The $86.2 million spending plan, which called for a tax levy of $31.5 million, was defeated by single-digit votes a year after virtually the same budget total passed by a margin of just six votes.
The proposed budget would have increased the tax rate by 0.08 cents per $100 of assessed valuation to 61.7 cents per $100.
The owner of the average assessed home would pay about $2,900 in school taxes under the proposed budget.
State aid for 2009-10 for the district, which is an Abbott district, will remain the same as last year at around $40.7 million.
Long Branch School District Superintendent Joseph Ferraina said the district did everything possible to keep taxes down.
"We made a conscious effort to keep taxes to the minimum," he said. "We really thought about the economic situation. We made no increase this year, and we are seriously looking to cut costs next year."
According to Ferraina, as an Abbott district, the proposed tax levy was mandated by the state, and the district could not go lower.
"Every budget has a minimum tax levy," Ferraina said. "Ours is the same as last year."
According to Ferraina, just because the tax levy failed to gain the support of voters doesn't mean it won't ultimately be put into effect.
The tax levy now becomes the city's decision, a decision that Ferraina hasn't put a timetable on.
"The city must now approve and certify the tax levy," Ferraina said. "When? That is up to the city now."
Ferraina explained that the budget passed in most Lang Branch districts, with the exception of two districts in Elberon.
"We lost by about 50 votes in Elberon," Ferraina said. "So, we did well for most of the city."
Ferraina also admitted that the district is looking at ways to cut costs.
"One way we may save money in the future is by closing the elementary school on the West End," Ferraina said. "We have a principal retiring and teachers leaving, so we can shut down the school and save money and no one loses a job.
"We are not just looking at this budget," Ferraina said. "We are looking at ways to cut costs for 2009, 2010, 2011 and all the way up to 2012."
"I am breaking my back trying to cut costs and still educate the children of Long Branch as best we can," Ferraina added.
Voters re-elected three incumbents to three three-year terms on the Long Branch Board of Education. Mary George, Lucille Perez and Bill Dangler ran unopposed and retained their seats on the school board.
Contact Kenny Walter at
kwalter@gmnews.com.
Regional school budgets approved
Regional school budgets approved
TINTON FALLS — Both Monmouth Regional and Shore Regional high schools saw their proposed budgets approved by a majority of voters during last week's school board elections.
The Monmouth Regional School District, which educates students from Eatontown, Tinton Falls and Shrewsbury Township, proposed a budget of $25,388,429, a decrease from last year's budget. The budget calls for an $18.7 million tax levy.
The Shore Regional School district, whose student body is made up of students from West Long Branch, Monmouth Beach, Oceanport and Sea Bright, proposed a $14.9 million spending plan, an increase of 3.4 percent over the 2008-09 budget.
Of the 1,351 residents who voted on the Monmouth Regional budget, 926 voted in favor of it.
For the second straight year Tinton Falls voters approved the school budget. However the budget failed in Shrewsbury Township and Eatontown.
According to Monmouth Regional Superintendent James Cleary, the budget passed by 501 votes in Tinton Falls, but failed by four votes in Shrewsbury Township and by 70 votes in Eatontown.
"We are happy that the people of Tinton Falls sent a message and were proactive in getting the budget passed," he said.
Approval of the district budget comes after voters failed to approve last year's $25.4 million spending plan by just 40 votes.
Cleary said he was pleased with the results of the vote.
"We are very satisfied with the response from our residents," Cleary said. "We are pleased [the budget] passed by so much."
Under the budget approved, Eatontown residents will see an increase of 2.2 cents per $100 of assessed valuation in the tax rate, to 35.98 cents per $100. Shrewsbury residents will see a tax rate increase of 0.16 cents per $100 of assessed valuation, to 31.41 cents per $100.
Tinton Falls residents will see taxes go down 3.1 cents per $100 of assessed valuation.
The district received the same amount of state aid — $4,557,437 — as last year.
The district cut funding in some areas, including $198,191 in programs, $136,588 in special-education costs, and undistributed expenditures by $4,731.
Shore Regional, which saw its overall budget increase from last year's $14.4 million, was approved by a slimmer margin that the Monmouth Regional budget.
Of the 2,074 voters who took part in the Shore Regional vote, 1,116 voted in favor of the spending plan, while 958 voted against it.
Under the approved spending plan, residents from West Long Branch are expected to shoulder the highest percentage of the budget's $13.6 million tax levy, with taxpayers providing 35.9 percent of the total funding.
Taxpayers in Oceanport will carry the second largest portion of the budget, at 25.9 percent, while Monmouth Beach taxpayers will provide 24.8 percent of the levy. Sea Bright taxpayers will provide 13.3 percent of the total tax levy.
According to Shore Regional Business Administrator Dennis Kotch, the percentage amount each municipality must provide for the budget is mandated by the state Department of Education and is determined by the total equalized assessed value of each town.
In addition to Sea Bright providing the smallest percentage of the budget, it will also see a 7.1-cent decrease in its 2009- 10 tax rate under the proposed spending plan.
As a result of the decrease, Sea Bright taxpayers will see their taxes lowered from 41.7 cents per $100 of assessed property valuation to 34.6 cents per $100 of assessed value.
For the owner of a home valued at $406,700, the decrease results in a $287.76 annual tax cut.
With the reduction in school taxes in Sea Bright, taxpayers in West Long Branch, Monmouth Beach and Oceanport will shoulder a greater part of the overall budget.
For West Long Branch residents, the district's budget will result in a tax rate increase of 1.6 cents. Such an increase would see taxes rise over last year's rate of 33.6 cents per $100 of assessed valuation to 35.2 cents per $100 of assessed value.
For the average West Long Branch homeowner whose property is assessed at $476,500, the budget increase will result in taxes being raised $75.36 annually.
Like West Long Branch residents, residents of Monmouth Beach will also see a 1.6-cent tax-rate increase.
Under the budget, the tax-rate increase will see district school taxes rise from 25.3 cents per $100 of assessed valuation to 26.9 cents per $100 of assessed value.
With the average home in the borough valued at $608,000, the budget as proposed will cause an annual tax increase of $99.T
he budget calls for the highest tax increase in Oceanport, where taxpayers can expect to see their tax rate rise by 2.7 cents.
With such a plan in place, borough taxpayers will see their taxes increase from 23.5 cents per $100 of assessed valuation to 26.9 cents per $100 of assessed valuation.
The resulting annual tax increase will see taxes for the average homeowner whose property is valued at $508,000 rise by $137.16 annually.
In addition to voting for the Monmouth and Shore Regional spending plans, voters were also asked to vote for candidates seeking seats on the respective district's school boards.
For the Monmouth Regional Board of Education (BOE), John Carretta and Linda Thatcher, both from Eatontown, won two open seats.
Thatcher is an incumbent and Carretta will take the seat of the Yvonne Hicks Bova who did not win re-election.
Carretta received 393 votes, while Thatcher received 387. Hicks Bova garnered 331 votes.
Also regaining a seat on the Monmouth Regional board is Jonathon Cohen of Tinton Falls, who drew 665 votes.
The Shore Regional (BOE) voters reelected three incumbent candidates to three, three-year seats on the board and one newcomer to one, three-year seat.
The incumbent candidates include Anthony Moro, Jr. of Monmouth Beach; Paul Rolleri, of Oceanport and Elizabeth Garrigal, of West Long Branch.
Newcomer Nancy DeScenza, of Sea Bright, was also elected to the school board.
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TINTON FALLS — Both Monmouth Regional and Shore Regional high schools saw their proposed budgets approved by a majority of voters during last week's school board elections.
The Monmouth Regional School District, which educates students from Eatontown, Tinton Falls and Shrewsbury Township, proposed a budget of $25,388,429, a decrease from last year's budget. The budget calls for an $18.7 million tax levy.
The Shore Regional School district, whose student body is made up of students from West Long Branch, Monmouth Beach, Oceanport and Sea Bright, proposed a $14.9 million spending plan, an increase of 3.4 percent over the 2008-09 budget.
Of the 1,351 residents who voted on the Monmouth Regional budget, 926 voted in favor of it.
For the second straight year Tinton Falls voters approved the school budget. However the budget failed in Shrewsbury Township and Eatontown.
According to Monmouth Regional Superintendent James Cleary, the budget passed by 501 votes in Tinton Falls, but failed by four votes in Shrewsbury Township and by 70 votes in Eatontown.
"We are happy that the people of Tinton Falls sent a message and were proactive in getting the budget passed," he said.
Approval of the district budget comes after voters failed to approve last year's $25.4 million spending plan by just 40 votes.
Cleary said he was pleased with the results of the vote.
"We are very satisfied with the response from our residents," Cleary said. "We are pleased [the budget] passed by so much."
Under the budget approved, Eatontown residents will see an increase of 2.2 cents per $100 of assessed valuation in the tax rate, to 35.98 cents per $100. Shrewsbury residents will see a tax rate increase of 0.16 cents per $100 of assessed valuation, to 31.41 cents per $100.
Tinton Falls residents will see taxes go down 3.1 cents per $100 of assessed valuation.
The district received the same amount of state aid — $4,557,437 — as last year.
The district cut funding in some areas, including $198,191 in programs, $136,588 in special-education costs, and undistributed expenditures by $4,731.
Shore Regional, which saw its overall budget increase from last year's $14.4 million, was approved by a slimmer margin that the Monmouth Regional budget.
Of the 2,074 voters who took part in the Shore Regional vote, 1,116 voted in favor of the spending plan, while 958 voted against it.
Under the approved spending plan, residents from West Long Branch are expected to shoulder the highest percentage of the budget's $13.6 million tax levy, with taxpayers providing 35.9 percent of the total funding.
Taxpayers in Oceanport will carry the second largest portion of the budget, at 25.9 percent, while Monmouth Beach taxpayers will provide 24.8 percent of the levy. Sea Bright taxpayers will provide 13.3 percent of the total tax levy.
According to Shore Regional Business Administrator Dennis Kotch, the percentage amount each municipality must provide for the budget is mandated by the state Department of Education and is determined by the total equalized assessed value of each town.
In addition to Sea Bright providing the smallest percentage of the budget, it will also see a 7.1-cent decrease in its 2009- 10 tax rate under the proposed spending plan.
As a result of the decrease, Sea Bright taxpayers will see their taxes lowered from 41.7 cents per $100 of assessed property valuation to 34.6 cents per $100 of assessed value.
For the owner of a home valued at $406,700, the decrease results in a $287.76 annual tax cut.
With the reduction in school taxes in Sea Bright, taxpayers in West Long Branch, Monmouth Beach and Oceanport will shoulder a greater part of the overall budget.
For West Long Branch residents, the district's budget will result in a tax rate increase of 1.6 cents. Such an increase would see taxes rise over last year's rate of 33.6 cents per $100 of assessed valuation to 35.2 cents per $100 of assessed value.
For the average West Long Branch homeowner whose property is assessed at $476,500, the budget increase will result in taxes being raised $75.36 annually.
Like West Long Branch residents, residents of Monmouth Beach will also see a 1.6-cent tax-rate increase.
Under the budget, the tax-rate increase will see district school taxes rise from 25.3 cents per $100 of assessed valuation to 26.9 cents per $100 of assessed value.
With the average home in the borough valued at $608,000, the budget as proposed will cause an annual tax increase of $99.T
he budget calls for the highest tax increase in Oceanport, where taxpayers can expect to see their tax rate rise by 2.7 cents.
With such a plan in place, borough taxpayers will see their taxes increase from 23.5 cents per $100 of assessed valuation to 26.9 cents per $100 of assessed valuation.
The resulting annual tax increase will see taxes for the average homeowner whose property is valued at $508,000 rise by $137.16 annually.
In addition to voting for the Monmouth and Shore Regional spending plans, voters were also asked to vote for candidates seeking seats on the respective district's school boards.
For the Monmouth Regional Board of Education (BOE), John Carretta and Linda Thatcher, both from Eatontown, won two open seats.
Thatcher is an incumbent and Carretta will take the seat of the Yvonne Hicks Bova who did not win re-election.
Carretta received 393 votes, while Thatcher received 387. Hicks Bova garnered 331 votes.
Also regaining a seat on the Monmouth Regional board is Jonathon Cohen of Tinton Falls, who drew 665 votes.
The Shore Regional (BOE) voters reelected three incumbent candidates to three, three-year seats on the board and one newcomer to one, three-year seat.
The incumbent candidates include Anthony Moro, Jr. of Monmouth Beach; Paul Rolleri, of Oceanport and Elizabeth Garrigal, of West Long Branch.
Newcomer Nancy DeScenza, of Sea Bright, was also elected to the school board.
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Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Tinton Falls school budget approved
Tinton Falls school budget approved
BY KENNY WALTER Staff Writer
TINTON FALLS — Voters in the Tinton Falls School District approved the $28,496,069 2009-10 school budget last week.
The budget, which increased less than 1 percent from last year's spending plan, calls for a tax levy of $17.6 million.
As a result of the budget approval, the tax rate per $100 of assessed valuation will go down for taxpayers in both Tinton Falls and Shrewsbury Township, which also sends students to the district.
Tinton Falls Superintendent John Russo said he was pleased with the results of the vote.
"We are very pleased that our budget passed," Russo said. "We are thankful that our residents support our annual school budget."
Russo added that he was a little surprised with the margin by which the budget passed.
"I am definitely a little surprised at the numbers," Russo said. "With the economy the way it is, I am pleased at how many people came out to vote."
Tinton Falls residents will pay 62.28 cents per $100 of assessed valuation, which is a decrease of 2.1 cents from last year. Shrewsbury Township residents will pay 67.04 cents per $100, down 0.06 cents from last year.
The average Shrewsbury Township homeowner will pay $1,005 in school taxes, down $1 from last year.
Nicole Alfano, Joseph DeFino and Robert Mauro were elected to the Board of Education for three-year terms in an uncontested election.
Alfano gained 981 votes and DeFino, with 954 votes, retain their seats, while Mauro who drew 932 votes will take the place of the Michael Laffey, who did not seek re-election.
Contact Kenny Walter at
kwalter@gmnews.com.
BY KENNY WALTER Staff Writer
TINTON FALLS — Voters in the Tinton Falls School District approved the $28,496,069 2009-10 school budget last week.
The budget, which increased less than 1 percent from last year's spending plan, calls for a tax levy of $17.6 million.
As a result of the budget approval, the tax rate per $100 of assessed valuation will go down for taxpayers in both Tinton Falls and Shrewsbury Township, which also sends students to the district.
Tinton Falls Superintendent John Russo said he was pleased with the results of the vote.
"We are very pleased that our budget passed," Russo said. "We are thankful that our residents support our annual school budget."
Russo added that he was a little surprised with the margin by which the budget passed.
"I am definitely a little surprised at the numbers," Russo said. "With the economy the way it is, I am pleased at how many people came out to vote."
Tinton Falls residents will pay 62.28 cents per $100 of assessed valuation, which is a decrease of 2.1 cents from last year. Shrewsbury Township residents will pay 67.04 cents per $100, down 0.06 cents from last year.
The average Shrewsbury Township homeowner will pay $1,005 in school taxes, down $1 from last year.
Nicole Alfano, Joseph DeFino and Robert Mauro were elected to the Board of Education for three-year terms in an uncontested election.
Alfano gained 981 votes and DeFino, with 954 votes, retain their seats, while Mauro who drew 932 votes will take the place of the Michael Laffey, who did not seek re-election.
Contact Kenny Walter at
kwalter@gmnews.com.
Regional school budgets approved
Regional school budgets approved
BY DANIEL HOWLEY and KENNY WALTER Staff Writers
TINTON FALLS — Both Monmouth Regional and Shore Regional high schools saw their proposed budgets approved by a majority of voters during last week's school board elections.
The Monmouth Regional School District, which educates students from Eatontown, Tinton Falls and Shrewsbury Township, proposed a budget of $25,388,429, a decrease from last year's budget. The budget calls for an $18.7 million tax levy.
The Shore Regional School district, whose student body is made up of students from West Long Branch, Monmouth Beach, Oceanport and Sea Bright, proposed a $14.9 million spending plan, an increase of 3.4 percent over the 2008-09 budget.
Of the 1,351 residents who voted on the Monmouth Regional budget, 926 voted in favor of it.
For the second straight year Tinton Falls voters approved the school budget. However the budget failed in Shrewsbury Township and Eatontown.
According to Monmouth Regional Superintendent James Cleary, the budget passed by 501 votes in Tinton Falls, but failed by four votes in Shrewsbury Township and by 70 votes in Eatontown.
"We are happy that the people of Tinton Falls sent a message and were proactive in getting the budget passed," he said.
Approval of the district budget comes after voters failed to approve last year's $25.4 million spending plan by just 40 votes.
Cleary said he was pleased with the results of the vote.
"We are very satisfied with the response from our residents," Cleary said. "We are pleased [the budget] passed by so much."
Under the budget approved, Eatontown residents will see an increase of 2.2 cents per $100 of assessed valuation in the tax rate, to 35.98 cents per $100. Shrewsbury residents will see a tax rate increase of 0.16 cents per $100 of assessed valuation, to 31.41 cents per $100.
Tinton Falls residents will see taxes go down 3.1 cents per $100 of assessed valuation.
The district received the same amount of state aid — $4,557,437 — as last year.
The district cut funding in some areas, including $198,191 in programs, $136,588 in special-education costs, and undistributed expenditures by $4,731.
Shore Regional, which saw its overall budget increase from last year's $14.4 million, was approved by a slimmer margin that the Monmouth Regional budget.
Of the 2,074 voters who took part in the Shore Regional vote, 1,116 voted in favor of the spending plan, while 958 voted against it.
Under the approved spending plan, residents from West Long Branch are expected to shoulder the highest percentage of the budget's $13.6 million tax levy, with taxpayers providing 35.9 percent of the total funding.
Taxpayers in Oceanport will carry the second largest portion of the budget, at 25.9 percent, while Monmouth Beach taxpayers will provide 24.8 percent of the levy. Sea Bright taxpayers will provide 13.3 percent of the total tax levy.
According to Shore Regional Business Administrator Dennis Kotch, the percentage amount each municipality must provide for the budget is mandated by the state Department of Education and is determined by the total equalized assessed value of each town.
In addition to Sea Bright providing the smallest percentage of the budget, it will also see a 7.1-cent decrease in its 2009-10 tax rate under the proposed spending plan.
As a result of the decrease, Sea Bright taxpayers will see their taxes lowered from 41.7 cents per $100 of assessed property valuation to 34.6 cents per $100 of assessed value.
For the owner of a home valued at $406,700, the decrease results in a $287.76 annual tax cut.
With the reduction in school taxes in Sea Bright, taxpayers in West Long Branch, Monmouth Beach and Oceanport will shoulder a greater part of the overall budget.
For West Long Branch residents, the district's budget will result in a tax rate increase of 1.6 cents. Such an increase would see taxes rise over last year's rate of 33.6 cents per $100 of assessed valuation to 35.2 cents per $100 of assessed value.
For the average West Long Branch homeowner whose property is assessed at $476,500, the budget increase will result in taxes being raised $75.36 annually.
Like West Long Branch residents, residents of Monmouth Beach will also see a 1.6-cent tax-rate increase.
Under the budget, the tax-rate increase will see district school taxes rise from 25.3 cents per $100 of assessed valuation to 26.9 cents per $100 of assessed value.
With the average home in the borough valued at $608,000, the budget as proposed will cause an annual tax increase of $99.
The budget calls for the highest tax increase in Oceanport, where taxpayers can expect to see their tax rate rise by 2.7 cents.
With such a plan in place, borough taxpayers will see their taxes increase from 23.5 cents per $100 of assessed valuation to 26.9 cents per $100 of assessed valuation.
T he resulting annual tax increase will
see taxes for the average homeowner whose property is valued at $508,000 rise by $137.16 annually.
In addition to voting for the Monmouth and Shore Regional spending plans, voters were also asked to vote for candidates seeking seats on the respective district's school boards.
For the Monmouth Regional Board of Education (BOE), John Carretta and Linda Thatcher, both from Eatontown, won two open seats.
Thatcher is an incumbent and Carretta will take the seat of the Yvonne Hicks Bova who did not win re-election.
Carretta received 393 votes, while Thatcher received 387. Hicks Bova garnered 331 votes.
Also regaining a seat on the Monmouth Regional board is Jonathon Cohen of Tinton Falls, who drew 665 votes.
The Shore Regional (BOE) voters reelected three incumbent candidates to three, three-year seats on the board and one newcomer to one, three-year seat.
The incumbent candidates include Anthony Moro, Jr. of Monmouth Beach; Paul Rolleri, of Oceanport and Elizabeth Garrigal, of West Long Branch.
Newcomer Nancy DeScenza, of Sea Bright, was also elected to the school board.
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BY DANIEL HOWLEY and KENNY WALTER Staff Writers
TINTON FALLS — Both Monmouth Regional and Shore Regional high schools saw their proposed budgets approved by a majority of voters during last week's school board elections.
The Monmouth Regional School District, which educates students from Eatontown, Tinton Falls and Shrewsbury Township, proposed a budget of $25,388,429, a decrease from last year's budget. The budget calls for an $18.7 million tax levy.
The Shore Regional School district, whose student body is made up of students from West Long Branch, Monmouth Beach, Oceanport and Sea Bright, proposed a $14.9 million spending plan, an increase of 3.4 percent over the 2008-09 budget.
Of the 1,351 residents who voted on the Monmouth Regional budget, 926 voted in favor of it.
For the second straight year Tinton Falls voters approved the school budget. However the budget failed in Shrewsbury Township and Eatontown.
According to Monmouth Regional Superintendent James Cleary, the budget passed by 501 votes in Tinton Falls, but failed by four votes in Shrewsbury Township and by 70 votes in Eatontown.
"We are happy that the people of Tinton Falls sent a message and were proactive in getting the budget passed," he said.
Approval of the district budget comes after voters failed to approve last year's $25.4 million spending plan by just 40 votes.
Cleary said he was pleased with the results of the vote.
"We are very satisfied with the response from our residents," Cleary said. "We are pleased [the budget] passed by so much."
Under the budget approved, Eatontown residents will see an increase of 2.2 cents per $100 of assessed valuation in the tax rate, to 35.98 cents per $100. Shrewsbury residents will see a tax rate increase of 0.16 cents per $100 of assessed valuation, to 31.41 cents per $100.
Tinton Falls residents will see taxes go down 3.1 cents per $100 of assessed valuation.
The district received the same amount of state aid — $4,557,437 — as last year.
The district cut funding in some areas, including $198,191 in programs, $136,588 in special-education costs, and undistributed expenditures by $4,731.
Shore Regional, which saw its overall budget increase from last year's $14.4 million, was approved by a slimmer margin that the Monmouth Regional budget.
Of the 2,074 voters who took part in the Shore Regional vote, 1,116 voted in favor of the spending plan, while 958 voted against it.
Under the approved spending plan, residents from West Long Branch are expected to shoulder the highest percentage of the budget's $13.6 million tax levy, with taxpayers providing 35.9 percent of the total funding.
Taxpayers in Oceanport will carry the second largest portion of the budget, at 25.9 percent, while Monmouth Beach taxpayers will provide 24.8 percent of the levy. Sea Bright taxpayers will provide 13.3 percent of the total tax levy.
According to Shore Regional Business Administrator Dennis Kotch, the percentage amount each municipality must provide for the budget is mandated by the state Department of Education and is determined by the total equalized assessed value of each town.
In addition to Sea Bright providing the smallest percentage of the budget, it will also see a 7.1-cent decrease in its 2009-10 tax rate under the proposed spending plan.
As a result of the decrease, Sea Bright taxpayers will see their taxes lowered from 41.7 cents per $100 of assessed property valuation to 34.6 cents per $100 of assessed value.
For the owner of a home valued at $406,700, the decrease results in a $287.76 annual tax cut.
With the reduction in school taxes in Sea Bright, taxpayers in West Long Branch, Monmouth Beach and Oceanport will shoulder a greater part of the overall budget.
For West Long Branch residents, the district's budget will result in a tax rate increase of 1.6 cents. Such an increase would see taxes rise over last year's rate of 33.6 cents per $100 of assessed valuation to 35.2 cents per $100 of assessed value.
For the average West Long Branch homeowner whose property is assessed at $476,500, the budget increase will result in taxes being raised $75.36 annually.
Like West Long Branch residents, residents of Monmouth Beach will also see a 1.6-cent tax-rate increase.
Under the budget, the tax-rate increase will see district school taxes rise from 25.3 cents per $100 of assessed valuation to 26.9 cents per $100 of assessed value.
With the average home in the borough valued at $608,000, the budget as proposed will cause an annual tax increase of $99.
The budget calls for the highest tax increase in Oceanport, where taxpayers can expect to see their tax rate rise by 2.7 cents.
With such a plan in place, borough taxpayers will see their taxes increase from 23.5 cents per $100 of assessed valuation to 26.9 cents per $100 of assessed valuation.
T he resulting annual tax increase will
see taxes for the average homeowner whose property is valued at $508,000 rise by $137.16 annually.
In addition to voting for the Monmouth and Shore Regional spending plans, voters were also asked to vote for candidates seeking seats on the respective district's school boards.
For the Monmouth Regional Board of Education (BOE), John Carretta and Linda Thatcher, both from Eatontown, won two open seats.
Thatcher is an incumbent and Carretta will take the seat of the Yvonne Hicks Bova who did not win re-election.
Carretta received 393 votes, while Thatcher received 387. Hicks Bova garnered 331 votes.
Also regaining a seat on the Monmouth Regional board is Jonathon Cohen of Tinton Falls, who drew 665 votes.
The Shore Regional (BOE) voters reelected three incumbent candidates to three, three-year seats on the board and one newcomer to one, three-year seat.
The incumbent candidates include Anthony Moro, Jr. of Monmouth Beach; Paul Rolleri, of Oceanport and Elizabeth Garrigal, of West Long Branch.
Newcomer Nancy DeScenza, of Sea Bright, was also elected to the school board.
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Saturday, June 6, 2009
Broadway-Gateway blight challenged
Broadway- Gateway blight challenged
BY KENNY WALTER Staff Writer
Alawsuit filed against the city of Long Branch charges that the process used by the city to designate properties as "in need of redevelopment" in the Broadway Gateway redevelopment zone was unconstitutional and should be overturned.
The suit filed in state Superior Court in Freehold April 8 on behalf of lower Broadway property owners seeks to overturn what it alleges is the city's "unconstitutional designation of private property as blighted" and asks for "damages and injunctive relief against the mayor and the council of the city of Long Branch."
Filed by Princeton attorney R. William Potter on behalf of the owners of the property known as the Fuchsia Triangle, in the Broadway-Gateway redevelopment zone, the complaint names the city of Long Branch and the City Council, the city's designated redevelopment authority, as defendants.
Plaintiffs are the Fuschia Triangle Corp., 71 Broadway; Coach Corp., 80 Broadway; and Kevin A. and Adele Fister, principals in the corporations, whom the suit charges have been denied "their lawful right to own, use, enjoy, develop, redevelop or sell their property" in what amounts to the "loss of their property" due to the city's "de facto" condemnation of the commercial properties made up of five contiguous lots bounded by North and South Broadway, Long Branch Avenue and Ocean Boulevard.
"Their property remains 'frozen,' private in name but 'de facto' condemned for future use and without just, or indeed, any compensation," reads the complaint, which asks for a jury trial.
Potter, of Potter and Dickson, said Monday the suit advances two main arguments.
"One, we are filing that the original designation of property was unconstitutional. Two, we are arguing that the long standing failure for the city to use eminent domain resulting in a significant to almost complete loss of value of the property" which "has remained frozen for more then a decade.
"The thrust of the case is to get justice for Kevin and Adele Fister," Potter said.
"They have been trying for years to develop the land in a manner where the city would embrace. We are hoping that this is a wake up call to the city. Not only do we want the city to lift the cloud of the blight designation, now they must compensate for the loss of value."
He continued, "This lawsuit is coming only after extraordinary efforts by the Fisters to find a common ground with the city. We are still open to find a common ground. Fister still has a current proposal to develop the land."
Potter said he expects other legal actions to be filed.
"I expect similar cases to follow," Potter said.
"We are not trying to drain the city's resources, we are seeking just compensation for the loss of value to the property."
City attorney James Aaron could not be reached for comment Monday. The city has 30 days after being served with the suit in which to respond to the filing.
According to the complaint, the city's unconstitutional actions date to the mid- 1980s with initial efforts to redevelop leading to a preliminary investigation by the Long Branch Planning Board into whether large sections of the city, including the Fuschia Triangle, were blighted under the 1992 Local Redevelopment and Housing Law (LRHL).
The suit claims the city used the terms "area in need of redevelopment" and "redevelopment area" while actually applying standards of "blighted" property or area that were rejected by the New Jersey Supreme Court in a 2007 case, Gallenthin Realty v. Borough of Paulsboro, which Potter successfully argued.
According to the complaint, the city designated the Fuschia Triangle as "in need of redevelopment" making the property and surrounding area subject to the LRHL; using the law to prevent the plaintiffs from developing their own property; to designate another redeveloper and to acquire the property through eminent domain.
However, the complaint states, the city for more than a decade has not exercised the power of eminent domain to acquire the Fuschia Triangle or to pay just compensation nor have any of the city's chosen redevelopers purchased it.
At the same time, the owners have been subject to property taxes that do not take into account "the extreme loss of value and use" resulting from the city's actions, the complaint states.
Because the property could be subject to eminent domain, the suit argues potential purchasers or developers have been unwilling to invest in the property "despite its prime location … at the gateway to Broadway."
The filing of the legal action comes after the owners have exhaustively pursued alternative courses of action and failed to gain the city's approval of any plans to develop the Fuschia Triangle, the complaint states.
It notes that last July, a Notice of Tort Claim was filed in an effort to receive fair compensation for the "de facto taking" of the property.
"Therefore, this lawsuit seeks to overturn the blight designation of the Fuschia Triangle … and to obtain compensatory and punitive damages … for the inverse condemnation 'taking' of the Fuschia Triangle that has resulted from the city's ongoing pattern and practice of 'freezing' the Fuschia Triangle in place for some ill-defined future use or redevelopment purpose that may never transpire."
As an alternative, the suit asks the court to order the city to purchase the Fuschia Triangle property within 30 days and end the "legal limbo which has prevented the Fisters from making profitable use of their property for more than a decade."
The complaint alleges that the unconstitutional process of designating the Fuschia Triangle a redevelopment area dates to August 1995 when the City Council directed the Planning Board to investigate whether the Broadway-Gateway area and other areas met the criteria for designation as redevelopment areas.
In January 1996, the Planning Department issued a Redevelopment Report, and property owners were noticed that there would be a public hearing would be held on Jan. 16. However, the complaint states that the Planning Board failed to inform property owners that designation as 'in need of redevelopment' or 'redevelopment area' were the legal equivalent of declaring the property or the area as blighted and could result in condemnation. Nor did the board explain other consequences including that the city was empowered to designate a person other than the owner to be the redeveloper of the Fuschia Triangle and could prevent the plaintiffs from developing their property.
Because of the failure to explain the consequences of the redevelopment area designation, the complaint argues, "The city failed to provide the constitutionally necessary and sufficient notice of the investigation as mandated by the court" in three 2008 decisions.
The Redevelopment Report concluded that the Oceanfront North and Broadway corridor met the statutory criteria for "areas in need of redevelopment." However, the complaint charges the Redevelopment Report did not provide "the constitutionally required substantive evidence of actual blight of any of the properties" as mandated by the Supreme Court in Gallenthin and recently in Long Branch v. Anzalone.
Specifically, the suit charges the report failed to examine building interiors within the study area to determine if there were any severe structural, safety or health hazards or illegal activity; if the property was uninhabitable or dangerous or abandoned or in a state of disrepair beyond restoration, among other criteria.
"In short, there was no actual, credible or reliable evidence that the plaintiffs' property or the property of any other property owner within the study area was in a condition of blight and part of a blighted area," the complaint states.
"The Redevelopment Report relied upon and employed unconstitutional standards of what is a blighted property or area in that it was not based on objective factual evidence of severe and continuing detriment or harm to other property or the public."
Instead, the report was based on "a contrived and subjective 'rating' system of properties and assumed that any property deemed … to be 'underutilized' by comparison to some assumed future and potentially more profitable use is a sufficient basis … to render the properties blighted in direct contravention of the Supreme Court's enunciation of constitutional standards," the complaint states.
As a result, the Redevelopment Report amounts to "an unreliable and misleading net opinion which cannot form the substantial evidence basis which is required to support a constitutionally sustainable blight designation," the suit argues.
As a result, the board and the city failed to rely on the standard of substantial evidence required to support a redevelopment area or blighted area designation.
Citing the Gallenthin ruling, the complaint notes: "The Supreme Court ruled that the substantial evidence standard is not met if a municipality's decision is supported, as here, by only the net opinion of an expert or consultant."
The council adopted the Planning Board's findings and directed the board to develop a redevelopment plan for the area including the Fuschia Triangle. The council voted to adopt the Oceanfront-Broadway Redevelopment Plan in May 1996.
However, the complaint argues, since the blight designation for the Fuschia Triangle and the Gateway area did not meet standards set forth in the New Jersey Constitution, "it follows that the Redevelopment Plan is null and void and cannot supersede local zoning, nor may the city utilize the Redevelopment Plan to prevent plaintiffs from developing their property."
For the same reasons, the suit states, the city lacked the authority to designate the City Council as the redevelopment agency for the area and the council has "no power to determine who will be the redeveloper of the Fuschia Triangle unless it is the rightful owners."
The complaint also addresses the impact of the city's "inverse condemnation" of the Fuschia Triangle.
The complaint notes the prolonged delay in the city exercising eminent domain diminished the value of the property. It states that for more than a decade, the city engaged "in a consistent pattern and unlawful practice of delaying action" to acquire the property and of denying the owners the right to develop their property, rejecting numerous redevelopment proposals. At the same time, purchase or lease offers have fallen through due to the "cloud of potential eminent domain that has been hanging over the property since 1996."
The suit seeks a declaratory judgment that the Fuschia Triangle "is not, nor has it ever been, lawfully properly designated as an area in need of redevelopment or blighted." Also, it asks the court to issue preliminary and permanent injunctions directing the city to discontinue and nullify the designation of the property as blighted or in a redevelopment area.
As an alternative, the suit asks the court to order the city to initiate the acquisition of the Fuschia Triangle within no more than 30 days and to empanel a jury to determine the value of the property during the period in which it was taken through inverse condemnation and to assess damages including compensation for the financial losses and pain and suffering experienced by the Fisters.
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BY KENNY WALTER Staff Writer
Alawsuit filed against the city of Long Branch charges that the process used by the city to designate properties as "in need of redevelopment" in the Broadway Gateway redevelopment zone was unconstitutional and should be overturned.
The suit filed in state Superior Court in Freehold April 8 on behalf of lower Broadway property owners seeks to overturn what it alleges is the city's "unconstitutional designation of private property as blighted" and asks for "damages and injunctive relief against the mayor and the council of the city of Long Branch."
Filed by Princeton attorney R. William Potter on behalf of the owners of the property known as the Fuchsia Triangle, in the Broadway-Gateway redevelopment zone, the complaint names the city of Long Branch and the City Council, the city's designated redevelopment authority, as defendants.
Plaintiffs are the Fuschia Triangle Corp., 71 Broadway; Coach Corp., 80 Broadway; and Kevin A. and Adele Fister, principals in the corporations, whom the suit charges have been denied "their lawful right to own, use, enjoy, develop, redevelop or sell their property" in what amounts to the "loss of their property" due to the city's "de facto" condemnation of the commercial properties made up of five contiguous lots bounded by North and South Broadway, Long Branch Avenue and Ocean Boulevard.
"Their property remains 'frozen,' private in name but 'de facto' condemned for future use and without just, or indeed, any compensation," reads the complaint, which asks for a jury trial.
Potter, of Potter and Dickson, said Monday the suit advances two main arguments.
"One, we are filing that the original designation of property was unconstitutional. Two, we are arguing that the long standing failure for the city to use eminent domain resulting in a significant to almost complete loss of value of the property" which "has remained frozen for more then a decade.
"The thrust of the case is to get justice for Kevin and Adele Fister," Potter said.
"They have been trying for years to develop the land in a manner where the city would embrace. We are hoping that this is a wake up call to the city. Not only do we want the city to lift the cloud of the blight designation, now they must compensate for the loss of value."
He continued, "This lawsuit is coming only after extraordinary efforts by the Fisters to find a common ground with the city. We are still open to find a common ground. Fister still has a current proposal to develop the land."
Potter said he expects other legal actions to be filed.
"I expect similar cases to follow," Potter said.
"We are not trying to drain the city's resources, we are seeking just compensation for the loss of value to the property."
City attorney James Aaron could not be reached for comment Monday. The city has 30 days after being served with the suit in which to respond to the filing.
According to the complaint, the city's unconstitutional actions date to the mid- 1980s with initial efforts to redevelop leading to a preliminary investigation by the Long Branch Planning Board into whether large sections of the city, including the Fuschia Triangle, were blighted under the 1992 Local Redevelopment and Housing Law (LRHL).
The suit claims the city used the terms "area in need of redevelopment" and "redevelopment area" while actually applying standards of "blighted" property or area that were rejected by the New Jersey Supreme Court in a 2007 case, Gallenthin Realty v. Borough of Paulsboro, which Potter successfully argued.
According to the complaint, the city designated the Fuschia Triangle as "in need of redevelopment" making the property and surrounding area subject to the LRHL; using the law to prevent the plaintiffs from developing their own property; to designate another redeveloper and to acquire the property through eminent domain.
However, the complaint states, the city for more than a decade has not exercised the power of eminent domain to acquire the Fuschia Triangle or to pay just compensation nor have any of the city's chosen redevelopers purchased it.
At the same time, the owners have been subject to property taxes that do not take into account "the extreme loss of value and use" resulting from the city's actions, the complaint states.
Because the property could be subject to eminent domain, the suit argues potential purchasers or developers have been unwilling to invest in the property "despite its prime location … at the gateway to Broadway."
The filing of the legal action comes after the owners have exhaustively pursued alternative courses of action and failed to gain the city's approval of any plans to develop the Fuschia Triangle, the complaint states.
It notes that last July, a Notice of Tort Claim was filed in an effort to receive fair compensation for the "de facto taking" of the property.
"Therefore, this lawsuit seeks to overturn the blight designation of the Fuschia Triangle … and to obtain compensatory and punitive damages … for the inverse condemnation 'taking' of the Fuschia Triangle that has resulted from the city's ongoing pattern and practice of 'freezing' the Fuschia Triangle in place for some ill-defined future use or redevelopment purpose that may never transpire."
As an alternative, the suit asks the court to order the city to purchase the Fuschia Triangle property within 30 days and end the "legal limbo which has prevented the Fisters from making profitable use of their property for more than a decade."
The complaint alleges that the unconstitutional process of designating the Fuschia Triangle a redevelopment area dates to August 1995 when the City Council directed the Planning Board to investigate whether the Broadway-Gateway area and other areas met the criteria for designation as redevelopment areas.
In January 1996, the Planning Department issued a Redevelopment Report, and property owners were noticed that there would be a public hearing would be held on Jan. 16. However, the complaint states that the Planning Board failed to inform property owners that designation as 'in need of redevelopment' or 'redevelopment area' were the legal equivalent of declaring the property or the area as blighted and could result in condemnation. Nor did the board explain other consequences including that the city was empowered to designate a person other than the owner to be the redeveloper of the Fuschia Triangle and could prevent the plaintiffs from developing their property.
Because of the failure to explain the consequences of the redevelopment area designation, the complaint argues, "The city failed to provide the constitutionally necessary and sufficient notice of the investigation as mandated by the court" in three 2008 decisions.
The Redevelopment Report concluded that the Oceanfront North and Broadway corridor met the statutory criteria for "areas in need of redevelopment." However, the complaint charges the Redevelopment Report did not provide "the constitutionally required substantive evidence of actual blight of any of the properties" as mandated by the Supreme Court in Gallenthin and recently in Long Branch v. Anzalone.
Specifically, the suit charges the report failed to examine building interiors within the study area to determine if there were any severe structural, safety or health hazards or illegal activity; if the property was uninhabitable or dangerous or abandoned or in a state of disrepair beyond restoration, among other criteria.
"In short, there was no actual, credible or reliable evidence that the plaintiffs' property or the property of any other property owner within the study area was in a condition of blight and part of a blighted area," the complaint states.
"The Redevelopment Report relied upon and employed unconstitutional standards of what is a blighted property or area in that it was not based on objective factual evidence of severe and continuing detriment or harm to other property or the public."
Instead, the report was based on "a contrived and subjective 'rating' system of properties and assumed that any property deemed … to be 'underutilized' by comparison to some assumed future and potentially more profitable use is a sufficient basis … to render the properties blighted in direct contravention of the Supreme Court's enunciation of constitutional standards," the complaint states.
As a result, the Redevelopment Report amounts to "an unreliable and misleading net opinion which cannot form the substantial evidence basis which is required to support a constitutionally sustainable blight designation," the suit argues.
As a result, the board and the city failed to rely on the standard of substantial evidence required to support a redevelopment area or blighted area designation.
Citing the Gallenthin ruling, the complaint notes: "The Supreme Court ruled that the substantial evidence standard is not met if a municipality's decision is supported, as here, by only the net opinion of an expert or consultant."
The council adopted the Planning Board's findings and directed the board to develop a redevelopment plan for the area including the Fuschia Triangle. The council voted to adopt the Oceanfront-Broadway Redevelopment Plan in May 1996.
However, the complaint argues, since the blight designation for the Fuschia Triangle and the Gateway area did not meet standards set forth in the New Jersey Constitution, "it follows that the Redevelopment Plan is null and void and cannot supersede local zoning, nor may the city utilize the Redevelopment Plan to prevent plaintiffs from developing their property."
For the same reasons, the suit states, the city lacked the authority to designate the City Council as the redevelopment agency for the area and the council has "no power to determine who will be the redeveloper of the Fuschia Triangle unless it is the rightful owners."
The complaint also addresses the impact of the city's "inverse condemnation" of the Fuschia Triangle.
The complaint notes the prolonged delay in the city exercising eminent domain diminished the value of the property. It states that for more than a decade, the city engaged "in a consistent pattern and unlawful practice of delaying action" to acquire the property and of denying the owners the right to develop their property, rejecting numerous redevelopment proposals. At the same time, purchase or lease offers have fallen through due to the "cloud of potential eminent domain that has been hanging over the property since 1996."
The suit seeks a declaratory judgment that the Fuschia Triangle "is not, nor has it ever been, lawfully properly designated as an area in need of redevelopment or blighted." Also, it asks the court to issue preliminary and permanent injunctions directing the city to discontinue and nullify the designation of the property as blighted or in a redevelopment area.
As an alternative, the suit asks the court to order the city to initiate the acquisition of the Fuschia Triangle within no more than 30 days and to empanel a jury to determine the value of the property during the period in which it was taken through inverse condemnation and to assess damages including compensation for the financial losses and pain and suffering experienced by the Fisters.
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Long Branch Elks lodge gets a chair lift
Long Branch Elks lodge gets a chair lift
Donation makes lodge wheelchair accessible
BY KENNY WALTER Staff Writer
Robert Bates and his son Robbie attend a ceremony on March 20 marking the opening of a chair lift to make the lodge accessible to people with disabilities.
LONG BRANCH — Members of the Long Branch Elks Lodge No. 742 recently installed a wheelchair lift at the lodge to make events accessible to people with disabilities.
The lift was acquired through the efforts of Elks member Joseph Siegfried, a 17-year member. Siegfried, a job site superintendent, was working at Adelphi University in Garden City, N.Y., when the university decided to install a new chair lift.
According to Siegfried, when the university decided to upgrade its facilities, he asked about the chair lift and the university donated it to the Elks.
"The lift is valued at $35,000," Siegfried said. "The university donated it to the Elks when I told them about [the need]."
The lift was brought to the Long Branch lodge, located at 150 Garfield Ave., and it cost the Elks about $20,000 to have it installed at the lodge.
Changes had to be made before the lift could be properly installed.
"The lift was refurbished and adjusted for the height of the area," Siegfried explained, adding that putting in the lift was a necessary step in ensuring that the lodge could serve as many people as possible.
"I think this allows us to have even more people enjoy our events," Siegfried said.
While the lodge was not previously accessible to people with handicaps, there were plans in place to put in a handicap ramp going into the lodge. Then Siegfried seized the opportunity to acquire a lift that became available.
"The lodge was not accessible at the time," Siegfried said. "They had planned to put in the ramp this year, but I took the bull by the horns and got the lift from the university."
There were some hurdles to clear before Siegfried and the Elks could put in the lift.
"It took six or seven months to get the proper permits to put in the lift," Siegfried said.
The lift, which became operational in March, has already accommodated guests at Elks events.
"We have had spaghetti dinners and fish dinners on Friday nights that are open to the public," Siegfried said. "We have affairs in the ballroom."
While Siegfried spearheaded efforts to get the lift installed at the lodge, he insists some of the praise belongs to his fellow Elks.
"This could not be done without all the help from the members of the Elks," Siegfried said. "We are only as good as the people who help us."
Contact Kenny Walter at
kwalter@gmnews.com.
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Donation makes lodge wheelchair accessible
BY KENNY WALTER Staff Writer
Robert Bates and his son Robbie attend a ceremony on March 20 marking the opening of a chair lift to make the lodge accessible to people with disabilities.
LONG BRANCH — Members of the Long Branch Elks Lodge No. 742 recently installed a wheelchair lift at the lodge to make events accessible to people with disabilities.
The lift was acquired through the efforts of Elks member Joseph Siegfried, a 17-year member. Siegfried, a job site superintendent, was working at Adelphi University in Garden City, N.Y., when the university decided to install a new chair lift.
According to Siegfried, when the university decided to upgrade its facilities, he asked about the chair lift and the university donated it to the Elks.
"The lift is valued at $35,000," Siegfried said. "The university donated it to the Elks when I told them about [the need]."
The lift was brought to the Long Branch lodge, located at 150 Garfield Ave., and it cost the Elks about $20,000 to have it installed at the lodge.
Changes had to be made before the lift could be properly installed.
"The lift was refurbished and adjusted for the height of the area," Siegfried explained, adding that putting in the lift was a necessary step in ensuring that the lodge could serve as many people as possible.
"I think this allows us to have even more people enjoy our events," Siegfried said.
While the lodge was not previously accessible to people with handicaps, there were plans in place to put in a handicap ramp going into the lodge. Then Siegfried seized the opportunity to acquire a lift that became available.
"The lodge was not accessible at the time," Siegfried said. "They had planned to put in the ramp this year, but I took the bull by the horns and got the lift from the university."
There were some hurdles to clear before Siegfried and the Elks could put in the lift.
"It took six or seven months to get the proper permits to put in the lift," Siegfried said.
The lift, which became operational in March, has already accommodated guests at Elks events.
"We have had spaghetti dinners and fish dinners on Friday nights that are open to the public," Siegfried said. "We have affairs in the ballroom."
While Siegfried spearheaded efforts to get the lift installed at the lodge, he insists some of the praise belongs to his fellow Elks.
"This could not be done without all the help from the members of the Elks," Siegfried said. "We are only as good as the people who help us."
Contact Kenny Walter at
kwalter@gmnews.com.
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Concordance explains food resources available
Concordance explains food resources available
Aid ranges from food stamps to farmers markets
BY KENNY WALTER Staff Writer
LONG BRANCH — Food resources in Monmouth County were the topic of the monthly meeting of the Long Branch Concordance.
The discussion took place at the Long Branch Higher Education Learning Center of Brookdale Community College on April 15 and was led by LBC Outreach Director Emma Cabãn.
The discussion featured four panelists from different Monmouth County organizations who covered topics ranging from applying for food stamps to farmers market programs.
Cathy Joyce, Monmouth County Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program, Robin McRoberts, WIC program manager, Laurel King, the FoodBank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties, and Ida Hopson, Triumphant Life Church, each led a presentation, explaining their organization and what they are doing to help people in need.
"WIC does a lot with pregnant women, women breast feeding, and toddlers up to the month of their fifth birthday," McRoberts said.
WIC, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, serves to safeguard the health of low-income women, infants and children up to age 5 who are at nutritional risk, by providing nutritious foods.
"We don't just deal with nutritional aspects. We register people to vote. You name it, and it seems to be dumped onto WIC. I guess Congress knows people come to WIC," she said.
McRoberts also explained the income guidelines to be eligible for assistance from WIC.
"You have to be within 185 percent of the poverty line," McRoberts explained. "If you're in WIC, it doesn't necessarily mean that you are eligible for food stamps."
McRoberts also went on to explain the Farmers Market Program that WIC is a part of in season.
"Those who meet the income requirements are eligible for $20 of locally grown fruits and vegetables from certain farmers markets," McRoberts said.
King explained that the FoodBank has been hit hard by the declining economic situation.
"Unfortunately, the economy has affected us," King said. "We are in desperate need of supplies."
King also stated that while the main purpose of the Food Bank is to feed people in need, that is not all that the organization does.
"We are in the business of networking with people," King said. "We have resources and programs available that go beyond just the food part of the program."
The FoodBank has also hired a parttime Spanish-speaking language coordinator, something King said the organization had been sorely missing.
"We service a lot of Latinos in our communities," King said. "We finally got a bilingual language coordinator. While she is only part time, it has still helped us a lot."
Hopson's presentation focused on food stamps.
One of the ways her program helps people in need of food stamps is to develop a relationship with the clients.
"We make face-to-face appointments with the people applying for food stamps," Hopson said. "We like to identify the client and develop a relationship with them. We find this is easier to know about the person and know about their story. We can make renewals over the phone within minutes, but the initial application must be done in person."
Hopson went on to explain the maximum income requirements to be eligible for food stamps.
For a single-person household, the maximum monthly income is $1,127. For a family of two it is $1,517, a family of three is $1,907, and for a family of four the maximum income is $2,297.
The final presentation was made by Joyce, who discussed roadside fruit and vegetable stands. Her presentation included dates when fruits grown in New Jersey are the ripest, and websites that provide more information about fruits and vegetables.
The Long Branch Concordance finds resources for people in need, fosters individual and family development, and creates partnerships for community wellbeing. The LBC Family Success Center is located at 279 Broadway, Suite 301, Long Branch.
For more information about the LBC, call Cabãn at 732-571-1670 or visit the website at http://www.lbc4help.org.
Contact Kenny Walter at
kwalter@gmnews.com.
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Aid ranges from food stamps to farmers markets
BY KENNY WALTER Staff Writer
LONG BRANCH — Food resources in Monmouth County were the topic of the monthly meeting of the Long Branch Concordance.
The discussion took place at the Long Branch Higher Education Learning Center of Brookdale Community College on April 15 and was led by LBC Outreach Director Emma Cabãn.
The discussion featured four panelists from different Monmouth County organizations who covered topics ranging from applying for food stamps to farmers market programs.
Cathy Joyce, Monmouth County Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program, Robin McRoberts, WIC program manager, Laurel King, the FoodBank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties, and Ida Hopson, Triumphant Life Church, each led a presentation, explaining their organization and what they are doing to help people in need.
"WIC does a lot with pregnant women, women breast feeding, and toddlers up to the month of their fifth birthday," McRoberts said.
WIC, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, serves to safeguard the health of low-income women, infants and children up to age 5 who are at nutritional risk, by providing nutritious foods.
"We don't just deal with nutritional aspects. We register people to vote. You name it, and it seems to be dumped onto WIC. I guess Congress knows people come to WIC," she said.
McRoberts also explained the income guidelines to be eligible for assistance from WIC.
"You have to be within 185 percent of the poverty line," McRoberts explained. "If you're in WIC, it doesn't necessarily mean that you are eligible for food stamps."
McRoberts also went on to explain the Farmers Market Program that WIC is a part of in season.
"Those who meet the income requirements are eligible for $20 of locally grown fruits and vegetables from certain farmers markets," McRoberts said.
King explained that the FoodBank has been hit hard by the declining economic situation.
"Unfortunately, the economy has affected us," King said. "We are in desperate need of supplies."
King also stated that while the main purpose of the Food Bank is to feed people in need, that is not all that the organization does.
"We are in the business of networking with people," King said. "We have resources and programs available that go beyond just the food part of the program."
The FoodBank has also hired a parttime Spanish-speaking language coordinator, something King said the organization had been sorely missing.
"We service a lot of Latinos in our communities," King said. "We finally got a bilingual language coordinator. While she is only part time, it has still helped us a lot."
Hopson's presentation focused on food stamps.
One of the ways her program helps people in need of food stamps is to develop a relationship with the clients.
"We make face-to-face appointments with the people applying for food stamps," Hopson said. "We like to identify the client and develop a relationship with them. We find this is easier to know about the person and know about their story. We can make renewals over the phone within minutes, but the initial application must be done in person."
Hopson went on to explain the maximum income requirements to be eligible for food stamps.
For a single-person household, the maximum monthly income is $1,127. For a family of two it is $1,517, a family of three is $1,907, and for a family of four the maximum income is $2,297.
The final presentation was made by Joyce, who discussed roadside fruit and vegetable stands. Her presentation included dates when fruits grown in New Jersey are the ripest, and websites that provide more information about fruits and vegetables.
The Long Branch Concordance finds resources for people in need, fosters individual and family development, and creates partnerships for community wellbeing. The LBC Family Success Center is located at 279 Broadway, Suite 301, Long Branch.
For more information about the LBC, call Cabãn at 732-571-1670 or visit the website at http://www.lbc4help.org.
Contact Kenny Walter at
kwalter@gmnews.com.
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Friday, June 5, 2009
Historic structures to be protected
Historic structures to be protected
Historic preservation ordinance will create commission
BY KENNY WALTER Staff Writer
Members of Long Branch's preservation community are anticipating a long-awaited ordinance that would protect Long Branch's historic structures and sites. The ordinance will be introduced at an upcoming City Council meeting.
Star of the Sea Academy
"The only way to really protect private historical buildings is to have a local historical preservation ordinance," said Beth Woolley, trustee of the Long Branch Historical Society.
"Most may not know this, but Long Branch is an extremely historic town," Woolley added. "Long Branch has the potential to look like other towns that have embraced their historical buildings."
The historic preservation ordinance, initially proposed by Councilman Brian Unger in August 2007, aims to protect historic structures in the city by implementing regulations to prevent demolition of the structures and to regulate the preservation of historic structures and sites.
The ordinance would establish an advisory historic commission that would compile an inventory of historic sites and structures in the city that could qualify for historic preservation.
The commission will consist of seven members and two alternate members, with alternates appointed by the mayor.
Of the seven members, three must be either knowledgeable in building design and construction or architectural history or have a demonstrated interest in local history.
The remaining four members will be residents who do not hold any other municipal office, position or employment but may be members of the Planning or Zoning boards.
Unger said last week that he is hoping to introduce the historic preservation ordinance at the April 28 council meeting.
"We hope to introduce the ordinance at the April 28 council meeting when Mark Aikins [the attorney drawing up the ordinance] is back," said Unger, who has been pushing for more than a year to get the ordinance adopted.
The ordinance had been expected to be introduced at the Feb. 24 council meeting, but Unger requested sections be rewritten to strengthen the role of the historic commission.
"Someone … put in language taking away from the Historic Preservation Commission the ability to adopt and utilize their own best-practice professional guidelines for designation of historic properties," Unger said at the time.
The ordinance creates a commission to review the potential effect of development and permit applications on designated historic sites and to work with and advise the Planning and Zoning boards and individual property owners.
The ordinance will regulate only designated sites that require a permit and application for development.
It also states that new construction on or near a historic site should not necessarily duplicate the exact style of the site, but should not detract from the historic site.
The ordinance defines the goals of the advisory committee.
"Maintaining, preserving, and rehabilitating these visual links to the past is an important function of government, not only to provide a sense of stability and continuity for future generations, but to provide impetus for the revitalization of the city's economic base and for the resulting increase in property values," the ordinance reads.
The ordinance lists specific goals, which include: safeguarding the heritage of Long Branch, encouraging the continued use of historic landmarks, and maintaining and developing a "harmonious setting" for the historic and architecturally significant buildings.
Other goals listed are: to stabilize and improve property values, to promote appreciation of historic landmarks, to encourage the beautification of and reinvestment in historic sites, and to discourage demolition of historic resources.
The responsibilities of the commission include preparing and maintaining preservation guidelines, reviewing applications that affect the historic properties, recommendations on designs, and preparing an inventory of historic sites and landmarks.
According to Woolley, more than 50 Long Branch buildings or sites are listed on a county inventory of the city's historic properties, among them St. Luke's Methodist Episcopal Church, Star of the Sea Academy, and the Church of the Presidents.
Ten of the buildings on the original list have already been demolished or torn down, including the Benjamin Watson Leigh House, the Brothers of Israel Synagogue, and the Edgar A. West building.
Woolley sees the value to both the town and the property owner that a historical preservation ordinance would create.
"Having a historical preservation ordinance can increase property value and increase the value of the town," she said.
According to Woolley, one of the obstacles to preserving historic structures in Long Branch is that until now the city has had total autonomy of control over historic landmarks.
"Even if it's listed by the state as a historic structure, it can be knocked down if it is privately owned," Woolley said.
This fact has led to the demolition of some historic properties, she said.
"The one that really bothered me was the house at 364 Cedar Avenue," Woolley said. "That house was designated as a historical building by the National Registry in 1979. Just last year the city issued demolition permits for it and now it's gone."
It has been almost two years since the ordinance was first introduced, and it has yet to be passed, but Unger said changes to the proposed ordinance were made and still may be made.
"One of the complaints is that it is too long," Unger said. "I am all for thoroughly editing the ordinance and making it shorter."
One point of contention has been the proposed opt-out clause.
The clause would allow homeowners to opt out of a historical designation.
One possible drawback of the opt-out clause would be the city would no longer be eligible for state status and would lose out on federal funding and grant money.
State status would permit the city to receive technical assistance and grant money up to $75,000 to support the city's historic preservation program, according to Unger.
Unger, who back in January went on record as the lone council member against the opt-out clause, now supports it in order to get the ordinance passed.
"I now support the opt-out clause if it means getting the ordinance finally passed," Unger said. "The downside of the optout clause is that we lose funding, but I think it is very important to have a public forum for the preservation of our historical buildings."
Woolley stressed the importance of the ordinance for the historic buildings in Long Branch.
"Historical preservations only encourage owners to keep their land," Woolley said. "You can't do anything to protect the buildings without a local preservation ordinance."
Contact Kenny Walter at
kwalter@gmnews.com.
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Historic preservation ordinance will create commission
BY KENNY WALTER Staff Writer
Members of Long Branch's preservation community are anticipating a long-awaited ordinance that would protect Long Branch's historic structures and sites. The ordinance will be introduced at an upcoming City Council meeting.
Star of the Sea Academy
"The only way to really protect private historical buildings is to have a local historical preservation ordinance," said Beth Woolley, trustee of the Long Branch Historical Society.
"Most may not know this, but Long Branch is an extremely historic town," Woolley added. "Long Branch has the potential to look like other towns that have embraced their historical buildings."
The historic preservation ordinance, initially proposed by Councilman Brian Unger in August 2007, aims to protect historic structures in the city by implementing regulations to prevent demolition of the structures and to regulate the preservation of historic structures and sites.
The ordinance would establish an advisory historic commission that would compile an inventory of historic sites and structures in the city that could qualify for historic preservation.
The commission will consist of seven members and two alternate members, with alternates appointed by the mayor.
Of the seven members, three must be either knowledgeable in building design and construction or architectural history or have a demonstrated interest in local history.
The remaining four members will be residents who do not hold any other municipal office, position or employment but may be members of the Planning or Zoning boards.
Unger said last week that he is hoping to introduce the historic preservation ordinance at the April 28 council meeting.
"We hope to introduce the ordinance at the April 28 council meeting when Mark Aikins [the attorney drawing up the ordinance] is back," said Unger, who has been pushing for more than a year to get the ordinance adopted.
The ordinance had been expected to be introduced at the Feb. 24 council meeting, but Unger requested sections be rewritten to strengthen the role of the historic commission.
"Someone … put in language taking away from the Historic Preservation Commission the ability to adopt and utilize their own best-practice professional guidelines for designation of historic properties," Unger said at the time.
The ordinance creates a commission to review the potential effect of development and permit applications on designated historic sites and to work with and advise the Planning and Zoning boards and individual property owners.
The ordinance will regulate only designated sites that require a permit and application for development.
It also states that new construction on or near a historic site should not necessarily duplicate the exact style of the site, but should not detract from the historic site.
The ordinance defines the goals of the advisory committee.
"Maintaining, preserving, and rehabilitating these visual links to the past is an important function of government, not only to provide a sense of stability and continuity for future generations, but to provide impetus for the revitalization of the city's economic base and for the resulting increase in property values," the ordinance reads.
The ordinance lists specific goals, which include: safeguarding the heritage of Long Branch, encouraging the continued use of historic landmarks, and maintaining and developing a "harmonious setting" for the historic and architecturally significant buildings.
Other goals listed are: to stabilize and improve property values, to promote appreciation of historic landmarks, to encourage the beautification of and reinvestment in historic sites, and to discourage demolition of historic resources.
The responsibilities of the commission include preparing and maintaining preservation guidelines, reviewing applications that affect the historic properties, recommendations on designs, and preparing an inventory of historic sites and landmarks.
According to Woolley, more than 50 Long Branch buildings or sites are listed on a county inventory of the city's historic properties, among them St. Luke's Methodist Episcopal Church, Star of the Sea Academy, and the Church of the Presidents.
Ten of the buildings on the original list have already been demolished or torn down, including the Benjamin Watson Leigh House, the Brothers of Israel Synagogue, and the Edgar A. West building.
Woolley sees the value to both the town and the property owner that a historical preservation ordinance would create.
"Having a historical preservation ordinance can increase property value and increase the value of the town," she said.
According to Woolley, one of the obstacles to preserving historic structures in Long Branch is that until now the city has had total autonomy of control over historic landmarks.
"Even if it's listed by the state as a historic structure, it can be knocked down if it is privately owned," Woolley said.
This fact has led to the demolition of some historic properties, she said.
"The one that really bothered me was the house at 364 Cedar Avenue," Woolley said. "That house was designated as a historical building by the National Registry in 1979. Just last year the city issued demolition permits for it and now it's gone."
It has been almost two years since the ordinance was first introduced, and it has yet to be passed, but Unger said changes to the proposed ordinance were made and still may be made.
"One of the complaints is that it is too long," Unger said. "I am all for thoroughly editing the ordinance and making it shorter."
One point of contention has been the proposed opt-out clause.
The clause would allow homeowners to opt out of a historical designation.
One possible drawback of the opt-out clause would be the city would no longer be eligible for state status and would lose out on federal funding and grant money.
State status would permit the city to receive technical assistance and grant money up to $75,000 to support the city's historic preservation program, according to Unger.
Unger, who back in January went on record as the lone council member against the opt-out clause, now supports it in order to get the ordinance passed.
"I now support the opt-out clause if it means getting the ordinance finally passed," Unger said. "The downside of the optout clause is that we lose funding, but I think it is very important to have a public forum for the preservation of our historical buildings."
Woolley stressed the importance of the ordinance for the historic buildings in Long Branch.
"Historical preservations only encourage owners to keep their land," Woolley said. "You can't do anything to protect the buildings without a local preservation ordinance."
Contact Kenny Walter at
kwalter@gmnews.com.
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Monmouth Regional BOE proposes leaner budget
Monmouth Regional BOE proposes leaner budget
Tax levy cut by $200K from previous year
BY KEN WALTER Staff Writer
TINTON FALLS — The Monmouth Regional High School District Board of Education is proposing a $25,388,429 school budget for the 2009-10 school year.
The budget represents a $418,463 decrease from last year's budget of $25,806,892.
As proposed, the budget calls for a tax levy of $18,756,384, a decrease of $218,537 from last year.
"We reduced the tax levy and the overall budget without reducing the quality of service," Maria Anne Parry, Monmouth Regional High School business administrator, said last week.
"The budget has been approved by Monmouth County Superintendent Carole Knopp Morris," Parry said during the March 31 public hearing on the budget.
The school budget last year failed to gain the approval of all of the Monmouth Regional sending districts.
Despite being passed by voters in both Tinton Falls and Shrewsbury Township, the budget did not gain the approval of Eatontown voters last year, failing by 42 votes of the roughly 9 percent of Eatontown registered voters who cast ballots.
"We hope the budget passes by our constituents' vote," Monmouth Regional Superintendent James Cleary said. "It is a very conservative budget."
Eatontown residents would see an increase of 2.2 cents per $100 of assessed valuation in the tax rate, to 35.98 cents per $100, if the budget is approved. Taxes would increase by $89.56 a year to an average of $1,436.68.
Shrewsbury residents would see a tax rate increase of 0.16 cents per $100 of assessed valuation, to 31.41 cents per $100, and would pay an average of $642.71 per year.
Tinton Falls residents would see their taxes go down $108.90 a year, or 3.1 cents per $100 of assessed valuation. Borough taxpayers would pay $32.61 per $100 of assessed valuation, or an average of $1,120.90 a year.
"The differences in Tinton Falls and Eatontown have to do with the percentage share of the towns and the average assessed home value," Parry said.
Eatontown's percentage share is up almost 3 percent from last year, to 46.5 percent. The borough's average home is assessed at $399,202.
Tinton Falls' percentage share is down by almost 3 percent, to 52.27 percent, and the average home is assessed at $343,683.
The district also received the same amount of state aid — $4,557,437 — as last year.
The district cut funding in some areas, including $198,191 in programs, $136,588 in special-education costs, and undistributed expenditures by $4,731.
"We are very sensitive to the economy," Cleary said. "That is why we tried to make the most fiscally prudent budget we could make."
"We are proud of our students and proud of our 200-plus staff," Cleary said.
Taxpayers will vote on the budget on April 21.
Contact Kenny Walter at
kwalter@gmnews.com.
Tax levy cut by $200K from previous year
BY KEN WALTER Staff Writer
TINTON FALLS — The Monmouth Regional High School District Board of Education is proposing a $25,388,429 school budget for the 2009-10 school year.
The budget represents a $418,463 decrease from last year's budget of $25,806,892.
As proposed, the budget calls for a tax levy of $18,756,384, a decrease of $218,537 from last year.
"We reduced the tax levy and the overall budget without reducing the quality of service," Maria Anne Parry, Monmouth Regional High School business administrator, said last week.
"The budget has been approved by Monmouth County Superintendent Carole Knopp Morris," Parry said during the March 31 public hearing on the budget.
The school budget last year failed to gain the approval of all of the Monmouth Regional sending districts.
Despite being passed by voters in both Tinton Falls and Shrewsbury Township, the budget did not gain the approval of Eatontown voters last year, failing by 42 votes of the roughly 9 percent of Eatontown registered voters who cast ballots.
"We hope the budget passes by our constituents' vote," Monmouth Regional Superintendent James Cleary said. "It is a very conservative budget."
Eatontown residents would see an increase of 2.2 cents per $100 of assessed valuation in the tax rate, to 35.98 cents per $100, if the budget is approved. Taxes would increase by $89.56 a year to an average of $1,436.68.
Shrewsbury residents would see a tax rate increase of 0.16 cents per $100 of assessed valuation, to 31.41 cents per $100, and would pay an average of $642.71 per year.
Tinton Falls residents would see their taxes go down $108.90 a year, or 3.1 cents per $100 of assessed valuation. Borough taxpayers would pay $32.61 per $100 of assessed valuation, or an average of $1,120.90 a year.
"The differences in Tinton Falls and Eatontown have to do with the percentage share of the towns and the average assessed home value," Parry said.
Eatontown's percentage share is up almost 3 percent from last year, to 46.5 percent. The borough's average home is assessed at $399,202.
Tinton Falls' percentage share is down by almost 3 percent, to 52.27 percent, and the average home is assessed at $343,683.
The district also received the same amount of state aid — $4,557,437 — as last year.
The district cut funding in some areas, including $198,191 in programs, $136,588 in special-education costs, and undistributed expenditures by $4,731.
"We are very sensitive to the economy," Cleary said. "That is why we tried to make the most fiscally prudent budget we could make."
"We are proud of our students and proud of our 200-plus staff," Cleary said.
Taxpayers will vote on the budget on April 21.
Contact Kenny Walter at
kwalter@gmnews.com.
MRHS asbestos removal to begin in summer
MRHS asbestos removal to begin in summer
Officials say asbestos presents no danger
BY KENNY WALTER Staff Writer
TINTON FALLS — Monmouth Regional High School will begin the process of removing asbestos from a portion of the building this summer.
According to Monmouth Regional Business Administrator Maria Anne Parry and Schools Superintendent James Cleary, the asbestos is harmless and does not necessarily need to be removed.
"It is wrapped around piping and is not a threat to anyone," Parry said last week. "It is completely contained," she added. "No one has gotten sick from it."
The asbestos removal project was introduced during the public hearing on the Monmouth Regional School District on March 31 at which Parry presented a slide show on the project.
Also shown was a projected plan to gut the north and south locker rooms and redesign the two rooms.
According to Parry, it is not unusual for a building that opened in 1961 to have been built with asbestos, she said in an interview.
"Most buildings built during this time period were built with asbestos," Parry said. "It is normal for a building built in the '60s to have asbestos in it."
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry website, asbestos fibers are only dangerous if they are disturbed, causing fibers to float in the air and allowing them to be inhaled.
Asbestos has long been recognized as a health threat to humans, because the fibers can be inhaled and are difficult to remove from the lungs, the website states.
According to Parry, the asbestos removal has not been mandated but is being remediated because work is being done to some ceilings in the building.
"We looked up at the ceiling and decided it needed to be replaced," Parry said. "With replacing the ceiling, it is better to remove the asbestos now."
The asbestos being removed is in the 300 wing of the building, which includes administrative offices and classrooms, Parry explained.
Asbestos in the technology room will also be removed this summer.
The project will cost the school $94,500 for the 300 wing and $25,000 for technology wing. That will include contractors' fees, which, according to Cleary and Parry, account for roughly 20 percent of the total cost. The project will begin this summer once the school year ends, which Parry said is more cost-effective because the ventilation system could be used to completely rid the airborne asbestos particles.
"The asbestos will be contained completely," Parry said. "It is completely safe."
Parry also revealed that there is asbestos in other parts of the building, but it is contained and poses no danger, she said. There is a three- to five-year plan to completely rid the school of asbestos and replace the ceilings.
"There is asbestos in other parts of the building," Parry said. "It is contained and not a danger to anyone in the building."
Monmouth Regional currently educates 1,140 students in grades nine through 12 who reside in Tinton Falls, Eatontown and Shrewsbury Township.
Contact Kenny Walter at
kwalter@gmnews.com.
Officials say asbestos presents no danger
BY KENNY WALTER Staff Writer
TINTON FALLS — Monmouth Regional High School will begin the process of removing asbestos from a portion of the building this summer.
According to Monmouth Regional Business Administrator Maria Anne Parry and Schools Superintendent James Cleary, the asbestos is harmless and does not necessarily need to be removed.
"It is wrapped around piping and is not a threat to anyone," Parry said last week. "It is completely contained," she added. "No one has gotten sick from it."
The asbestos removal project was introduced during the public hearing on the Monmouth Regional School District on March 31 at which Parry presented a slide show on the project.
Also shown was a projected plan to gut the north and south locker rooms and redesign the two rooms.
According to Parry, it is not unusual for a building that opened in 1961 to have been built with asbestos, she said in an interview.
"Most buildings built during this time period were built with asbestos," Parry said. "It is normal for a building built in the '60s to have asbestos in it."
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry website, asbestos fibers are only dangerous if they are disturbed, causing fibers to float in the air and allowing them to be inhaled.
Asbestos has long been recognized as a health threat to humans, because the fibers can be inhaled and are difficult to remove from the lungs, the website states.
According to Parry, the asbestos removal has not been mandated but is being remediated because work is being done to some ceilings in the building.
"We looked up at the ceiling and decided it needed to be replaced," Parry said. "With replacing the ceiling, it is better to remove the asbestos now."
The asbestos being removed is in the 300 wing of the building, which includes administrative offices and classrooms, Parry explained.
Asbestos in the technology room will also be removed this summer.
The project will cost the school $94,500 for the 300 wing and $25,000 for technology wing. That will include contractors' fees, which, according to Cleary and Parry, account for roughly 20 percent of the total cost. The project will begin this summer once the school year ends, which Parry said is more cost-effective because the ventilation system could be used to completely rid the airborne asbestos particles.
"The asbestos will be contained completely," Parry said. "It is completely safe."
Parry also revealed that there is asbestos in other parts of the building, but it is contained and poses no danger, she said. There is a three- to five-year plan to completely rid the school of asbestos and replace the ceilings.
"There is asbestos in other parts of the building," Parry said. "It is contained and not a danger to anyone in the building."
Monmouth Regional currently educates 1,140 students in grades nine through 12 who reside in Tinton Falls, Eatontown and Shrewsbury Township.
Contact Kenny Walter at
kwalter@gmnews.com.
Rain doesn't deter runners for 12th Sgt. Pat King 5k
Rain doesn't deter 12th Sgt. Pat's 5K
BY KENNY WALTER Staff Writer
PHOTOS BY CHRIS KELLY Left: Red Bank's Trent Kaaraman races in soggy conditions along the Long Branch oceanfront during the annual Sgt. Pat's 5K Run/2-mile Fitness Walk on April 11. Right: West Long Branch's Joe Gallo (663) competes with fellow runners.
LONG BRANCH — Heavy rains and brisk winds didn't stop some 400 hardy runners from turning out for the 12th annual Sgt. Pat's 5K Run and 2-Mile Fitness Walk on Saturday, April 11.
What spurred the runners to show despite inclement conditions was not just the course but the spirit of the run, which is dedicated to the late Long Branch Police Sgt. Patrick King, who was killed in the line of duty 12 years ago.
"This is a way to honor and remember Pat," said Maureen King, who is part of the committee that organizes the annual race in memory of her husband.
"It's a way to raise money in Pat's name as well," she added.
King believes that it is the character of the actual race that brings the participants out each year.
"The race has many attributes to its character," King said. "Our event has a familyfriendly atmosphere that includes a children's race, a family walk as well as a 5K run, with prizes provided by the generous merchants in the community."
The race committee includes King, Scott and Guy Beaver, Phil Hinck, Eddie Kirschenbaum and Pat Joyce.
The event raises funds for several charities, including the Pat King Scholarship Fund for Long Branch High School students, Holiday Express, Habcore, and Jim Dowd Shoots for the Stars.
The race, which raised $35,000 last year, had 700 registered participants as of April 10, but the weather held down that number as well as the several hundred other competitors who were expected to sign up the day of the race.
According to the Jersey Shore Running Club, the rain didn't prevent some great performances and times on the revised course along the Promenade and Long Branch boardwalk.
For the men, the winner was Ben Horel, of Belford, in a time of 17:42. The firstplace runner for the women was Amber Hart, of Belmar, in a time of 20:03.
CHRIS KELLY staff Runners start for the annual Sgt. Pat's 5k Run/2-mile Fitness Walk along Long Branch oceanfront on Apr. 11.
"Thanks to the generosity of our participants, sponsors and volunteers, the Sergeant Pat's 5K has seen tremendous growth over the past 11 years," King said. "We really try hard to put out a fun day. We try to make it better every year."
The event is attended by police officers from Long Branch as well as departments from across the county and state.
"We have police departments from Marlboro and Middletown showing up," King said last week. "We also have the sheriff's department and police departments from Denville and Jersey City coming. We give awards for the department that travels the furthest."
King views the race as a good experience for everyone in the community, which is why so many come out to participate.
"The race has become a bonding experience among the community, because the race always benefits a good cause and those involved are genuinely happy to participate," she said.
Contact Kenny Walter at
kwalter@gmnews.com.
BY KENNY WALTER Staff Writer
PHOTOS BY CHRIS KELLY Left: Red Bank's Trent Kaaraman races in soggy conditions along the Long Branch oceanfront during the annual Sgt. Pat's 5K Run/2-mile Fitness Walk on April 11. Right: West Long Branch's Joe Gallo (663) competes with fellow runners.
LONG BRANCH — Heavy rains and brisk winds didn't stop some 400 hardy runners from turning out for the 12th annual Sgt. Pat's 5K Run and 2-Mile Fitness Walk on Saturday, April 11.
What spurred the runners to show despite inclement conditions was not just the course but the spirit of the run, which is dedicated to the late Long Branch Police Sgt. Patrick King, who was killed in the line of duty 12 years ago.
"This is a way to honor and remember Pat," said Maureen King, who is part of the committee that organizes the annual race in memory of her husband.
"It's a way to raise money in Pat's name as well," she added.
King believes that it is the character of the actual race that brings the participants out each year.
"The race has many attributes to its character," King said. "Our event has a familyfriendly atmosphere that includes a children's race, a family walk as well as a 5K run, with prizes provided by the generous merchants in the community."
The race committee includes King, Scott and Guy Beaver, Phil Hinck, Eddie Kirschenbaum and Pat Joyce.
The event raises funds for several charities, including the Pat King Scholarship Fund for Long Branch High School students, Holiday Express, Habcore, and Jim Dowd Shoots for the Stars.
The race, which raised $35,000 last year, had 700 registered participants as of April 10, but the weather held down that number as well as the several hundred other competitors who were expected to sign up the day of the race.
According to the Jersey Shore Running Club, the rain didn't prevent some great performances and times on the revised course along the Promenade and Long Branch boardwalk.
For the men, the winner was Ben Horel, of Belford, in a time of 17:42. The firstplace runner for the women was Amber Hart, of Belmar, in a time of 20:03.
CHRIS KELLY staff Runners start for the annual Sgt. Pat's 5k Run/2-mile Fitness Walk along Long Branch oceanfront on Apr. 11.
"Thanks to the generosity of our participants, sponsors and volunteers, the Sergeant Pat's 5K has seen tremendous growth over the past 11 years," King said. "We really try hard to put out a fun day. We try to make it better every year."
The event is attended by police officers from Long Branch as well as departments from across the county and state.
"We have police departments from Marlboro and Middletown showing up," King said last week. "We also have the sheriff's department and police departments from Denville and Jersey City coming. We give awards for the department that travels the furthest."
King views the race as a good experience for everyone in the community, which is why so many come out to participate.
"The race has become a bonding experience among the community, because the race always benefits a good cause and those involved are genuinely happy to participate," she said.
Contact Kenny Walter at
kwalter@gmnews.com.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Man charged in kidnap attempt
Man charged in kidnap attempt
BY KENNY WALTER Staff Writer
LONG BRANCH — A New York man is facing multiple charges in connection with an alleged attempted kidnapping in Long Branch last Thursday night.
Thomas Arthur Filupeit, 52, Magaretville, N.Y., allegedly tried to kidnap a man he believed was seeing his ex-girlfriend, according to the Long Branch Police Department.
The suspect allegedly drove to Cypress Street in Long Branch around 10:50 p.m. April 2 and attempted to enter the victim's home, according to a press release from the Long Branch Police Department.
Police said he had in his possession a pillowcase and orange plastic cable cuffs (similar to handcuffs) and a black cloth, the press release stated.
The victim twice observed his door rotate as if someone were attempting to open it. He then observed a man he did not know on his front porch and called 911, the press release stated.
Long Branch Officer Kristie Buble arrived on the scene and heard someone running through the backyard of the home.
Buble then observed a white PT Cruiser with a New York license plate pulling out of the parking lot at a high rate of speed without its lights on, according to police.
The vehicle was spotted by Monmouth County Sheriff's Officers Sean O'Neal and Henry Muller, who checked the license number and stopped the car on Route 36 in Tinton Falls, police said.
Further investigation revealed that Filupeit believed the victim was seeing his former girlfriend.
Long Branch police said they recovered latex gloves, cable cuffs, a black-handled survival knife, duct tape and nylon string from the car. The police also said they recovered printed directions from the suspect's former girlfriend's Oceanport home to the victim's home.
The victim was not harmed during the incident.
Filupeit was arrested and is being charged with criminal attempted burglary, criminal attempted kidnapping, possession of handcuffs, possession of a weapon and unlawful possession of a weapon.
He is being held at the Monmouth County Correctional Institution in Freehold Township on $1.1 million bail.
If convicted, Filupeit faces a lengthy jail sentence.
"I would say he is facing a minimum of 10 to 15 years, if convicted," Long Branch Detective Sgt. Fernando Sanders said. "Obviously that is at the discretion of the judge, but he is facing very serious charges."
Filupeit was arraigned on April 6, according to the Monmouth County Sheriff's Office.
Detective Brendan Cahill of the Long Branch Police Department is continuing the investigation.
Contact Ken Walter at
kwalter@gmnews.co
BY KENNY WALTER Staff Writer
LONG BRANCH — A New York man is facing multiple charges in connection with an alleged attempted kidnapping in Long Branch last Thursday night.
Thomas Arthur Filupeit, 52, Magaretville, N.Y., allegedly tried to kidnap a man he believed was seeing his ex-girlfriend, according to the Long Branch Police Department.
The suspect allegedly drove to Cypress Street in Long Branch around 10:50 p.m. April 2 and attempted to enter the victim's home, according to a press release from the Long Branch Police Department.
Police said he had in his possession a pillowcase and orange plastic cable cuffs (similar to handcuffs) and a black cloth, the press release stated.
The victim twice observed his door rotate as if someone were attempting to open it. He then observed a man he did not know on his front porch and called 911, the press release stated.
Long Branch Officer Kristie Buble arrived on the scene and heard someone running through the backyard of the home.
Buble then observed a white PT Cruiser with a New York license plate pulling out of the parking lot at a high rate of speed without its lights on, according to police.
The vehicle was spotted by Monmouth County Sheriff's Officers Sean O'Neal and Henry Muller, who checked the license number and stopped the car on Route 36 in Tinton Falls, police said.
Further investigation revealed that Filupeit believed the victim was seeing his former girlfriend.
Long Branch police said they recovered latex gloves, cable cuffs, a black-handled survival knife, duct tape and nylon string from the car. The police also said they recovered printed directions from the suspect's former girlfriend's Oceanport home to the victim's home.
The victim was not harmed during the incident.
Filupeit was arrested and is being charged with criminal attempted burglary, criminal attempted kidnapping, possession of handcuffs, possession of a weapon and unlawful possession of a weapon.
He is being held at the Monmouth County Correctional Institution in Freehold Township on $1.1 million bail.
If convicted, Filupeit faces a lengthy jail sentence.
"I would say he is facing a minimum of 10 to 15 years, if convicted," Long Branch Detective Sgt. Fernando Sanders said. "Obviously that is at the discretion of the judge, but he is facing very serious charges."
Filupeit was arraigned on April 6, according to the Monmouth County Sheriff's Office.
Detective Brendan Cahill of the Long Branch Police Department is continuing the investigation.
Contact Ken Walter at
kwalter@gmnews.co
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