LAKEHURST – COVID-19 might impact next month’s Memorial Day Celebration which is held every year at Lake Horicon and sponsored by the Fleet Reserve.
Last year, Councilman James Davis headed the Memorial Walk located at Lake Horicon where names of veterans from the borough are placed along the walk. “We received 100 plaques from the VFW. I am not sure if they are all our residents.”
The governing body also addressed the impact of the current COVID-19 pandemic and the noted the cancellation of the annual Fourth of July car show that is associated with the holiday fireworks program.
The Independence Day celebration itself and fireworks display have not been cancelled but if conditions warrant their cancellation, the borough may hold out for a larger fireworks display next year as part of the borough’s 100th anniversary, according to a recommendation made by Council President Steven Oglesby.
Davis said the car show was definitely cancelled. This event is run by the borough’s Historical Society. “It has no sponsors and things that needed to be ordered had to have been ordered by now.”
Borough Clerk Maryanne Capasso said after the meeting that “our 4th of July celebration is usually a bigger event. The borough starts with fireworks on July 3, and ends with a parade and car show along Union Avenue on the July 4.”
Mayor Robbins did not favor the idea of postponing Independent Day festivities and agreed with Councilman Oglesby’s idea of putting those funds toward a bigger celebration next year.
Capasso said that while the borough had already signed a contract with the fireworks company that they were willing to allow the borough to change its date given the current situation.
New Email, Other Business
Borough officials are ready to migrate their business mail to its own domain. That was one piece of news discussed during the Council’s second conference call meeting.
The Mayor and Council were reminded by Capasso, the clerk, that by utilizing the borough’s own website domain e-mail it would allow for council business e-mail to be applied to open public record act (OPRA) regulations. The council was reminded not to delete their e-mail or to use it in a manner not fitting with business use of the borough.
Resident Dona Sinton brought up the subject when she asked about the borough bill list and questioned what Plant Technologies was.
Capasso said that this firm was involved in updating the hardware for the borough and the transfer of Google mail “to a more appropriate system.”
Sinton also asked the mayor and council about the liquor license transfer from Circle Landmark Inc., the former La Bove Grande, which was sold to Route 70 Liquor LLC. The person who holds Route 70 Liquor LLC is the owner of that building.
Oglesby explained that “all liquor licenses are site specific. If a business changes its address they have to reapply.”
Councilman Gary Lowe discussed the borough’s OEM building located on Proving Ground Road. He said he wanted to see the borough engineer check the building’s foundation as there are some cracks due to settling. Lowe said he wants to make sure that they are not detrimental.
The Council approved an ordinance that allows for the appropriation of money received for portable bathrooms into the budget as part of a recreation project.
Councilman Robert McCarthy said that during the council’s next meeting Police Chief Matthew Kline would be making a presentation about a new initiative regarding the borough employee assistance program.
McCarthy also noted that Chief Kline had noted an increase of cases involving domestic incidents.
The council will also address the issue of additional portable radios for the fire company according to McCarthy’s council report.
McCarthy the Lakehurst Police Association was partnering with local pizzerias to deliver pizza to families in need. “Check out the police Facebook page for details.”
The local pizza delivery started on April 24. Those seeking information on the program can also contact Chief Kline at 732-657-7812, which is the non-emergency number.
Sinton asked the council about the work that is being done on Poplar Street. That work is being done under the New Jersey Department of Transportation grant the borough received and involves repaving the road and meeting state codes for Americans with Disabilities Act standards.
“Why is that work being redone,” she asked.
Councilman Gary DiMeo explained that “they may look compliant but they weren’t. There is no way for a wheelchair to get to the curb line. There is too much of a drop.”
The governing body opened their meeting with a moment of silence remembering those who have died as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
