MANCHESTER – The township moved a step toward renewable energy technology with an ordinance that authorizes and encourages “electrical vehicle supply/service equipment (EVSE) and make ready parking spaces.”
Councilman James Vaccaro, who has been pushing for the renewable energy master plan concerning wind, geo thermal and more extensive use of solar panels, thanked the Council for voting in support of the ordinance.
“The ordinance moves us forward to meet the commitment to our residents for electric vehicle utilization needs in the future. We now must aggressively explore grant opportunities from the state and federal government for funding of our EV program,” he said.
The township could look for grants from such agencies as the State Department of Environmental Protection and Board of Public Utilities, he said.
He noted that electric cars, trucks and buses will require charging stations throughout town. They could be used for electric garbage trucks or even school buses. However, officials still need to research the best options before this becomes a reality.
“We have many unanswered questions that have to be resolved. The substantial cost of the vehicle, battery longevity and how many miles can I travel on the charge, special types of charging stations and the safety of the operations,” the councilman added.
Vaccaro also repeated his wish to see the governing body seek out a township-based wellness facility or hospital, “thus ensuring a healthier Manchester Township. It would be well supported and available to residents and those of adjacent townships, boroughs and towns. No one should have to travel great distances to receive superior medical care and for Manchester Township it would be a great business ratable with the expectation of drawing more related medical and professional sites.”
He also reminded residents to take the proper precautions and to use common sense regarding the varied COVID-19 strains. “Everyone knows how to stop the spread of the virus. The choice is now yours.”
Vaccaro also reminded senior residents of the availability of the township’s senior services department and to seek out information about the department’s various programs that may be available to them. “It is easy to reach by calling 732-657-8121 Ext.5000, 5100 and 5102.”
School Visits
Council President Joan Brush noted her attendance last month at the Ridgeway Day School graduation ceremony. While the school is part of the Manchester Township School District, it is located in Jackson. “It was a moving event. When one boy received his diploma, he looked at it and ran to his friend and said, “I’m going to miss you buddy.”
Mayor Robert Hudak noted that he was glad to see graduation ceremonies and this year’s Memorial Day services return as live events after two years of virtual ceremonies. He also noted his visit to Whiting Elementary School in an effort to bring back a Flag Day ceremony.
“This has been kind of forgotten about over the past several years so I met with two members of the mayor’s advisory committee and we had our first Flag Day ceremony with those first graders at Whiting Elementary School,” the mayor added. He attended another Flag Day ceremony at an elementary school in the community later in the day.
Scam Alerts
During the public comment portion of a recent meeting, resident Judy Noonan shared a conversation she had with Ocean County Sheriff Michael Mastronardy concerning a repairman offering services to residents of a senior community.
The promised work was never done despite people paying him thousands of dollars. Noonan and Sheriff Mastronardy said they want to get the word out to seniors and other residents to be careful when commissioning services on homes by those who solicit work in senior developments.
Among the Sheriff’s recommendations are to make sure everything is in writing: Obtaining a written contract could save you a lot of future stress. Also make sure that everything you want is spelled out in the contract. Contracts for home improvement projects costing $500 or more must be in writing and must include the legal name, business address, and registration number of the contractor as well as a start date, completion date, description of the work to be done, and the total price.
All warranties and guarantees should also be included in writing, and make sure the contract states the name brands or quality/grades of the materials to be used.
Learn about any contractor before deciding to hire them. It is ideal to work with a contractor who is recommended by people you know. It also is advisable to ask the contractor for references and speak with those references about the contractor’s work.
Contact the Division of Consumer Affairs to learn if the contractor is duly registered to perform home improvement work in New Jersey, and learn whether the contractor has been the subject of consumer complaints and/or legal action by the Division. You can call the Division at (800) 242-5846 or use the Division’s website, NJConsumerAffairs.gov.
Chris Lundy contributed to this story.
