JACKSON – Township officials recently discussed a new traffic light in town while also changing health benefits for employees and awarding a contract for a handicapped accessible playground.
Councilman Mordechai Burnstein reported that a traffic light has been approved by the county at roads at the intersection of West Commodore Boulevard (Route 526) and Diamond Road. “That job was approved by the Ocean County Engineering Department. They are requiring permission from all property owners around. They said there were multiple domains there that they have to assess. They are putting together the package and it has to be sent to all the different departments that manufacture the lights as every light is different.”
“I did ask them what we could do to assure that it wasn’t a five-year process. They told me the supply process has eased up a little bit and that they are hoping to have the project go out to bid at the end of the fall season,” Burnstein added.
Council members also awarded a contract for the ADA Field of Dreams playground located at the Justice Complex to Ben Shaffer Recreation. They also voted to terminate participation in two state benefit health programs that included dental plan coverage and prescription drug plans.
The council also voted in support of a resolution that opposed all construction of offshore wind farms.
Councilman Steve Chisholm remarked during his council report that “the longer I live the more convincing proof I see of this truth that God governs in the affairs of men,” he said, paraphrasing Benjamin Franklin. “I haven’t lived as long as Ben but I have seen some of those same convincing truths and the good Lord has convened in our affairs and preserved us as a nation.”
“For the fourth time in history a president was spared from an assassin,” he noted referencing the shooting that took place earlier in the summer in Pennsylvania. Chisholm, who frequently brings up federal and state issues and complains of Democrat officials also noted that Governor Phil Murphy was at the time of the council meeting, out of the state “and went down to the swamp so he could get a new job with the Harris administration. God help America if he does.”
He referenced Murphy’s support of offshore wind energy projects in regard to the resolution that was approved that evening. “We have no say here in Jackson about wind turbines and offshore wind farms however they are a disaster. They are a safety concern. Thank God Congressman (Chris) Smith is working against the Murphy and Biden administrations. These things are a serious threat to our wildlife, marine environment, our fishers, radar navigation, national security, tourism and these things need to be stopped.”
The Council then moved forward concerning an ordinance on second reading governing establishing regulation of lead paint inspections for rental properties. This ordinance was unanimously passed.
The public comment period included one speaker. Ryan Archer noted that the council had extended his open public records act (OPRA) request by 26 business days.
The inquiry regarded a New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection “letter issued to the township for non-compliance with the consent order for the latest lawsuits. I just want that to be on the record.”
