MANCHESTER– Township officials carried an ordinance that would amend a section of township code pertaining to stormwater management during a recent Township Council meeting.
“There are some questions that have been raised by the Planning Board,” Business Administrator Carl Block said.
Council President Roxy Conniff said, “we have some concerns expressed from the council about how this will affect the residents and our HOA and we are still waiting for some direction from the state.”
While carried, the ordinance did include a public comment period where resident Hank Glenn asked, “in reading the ordinance, I have a tree on my property and it is only 12- foot, it is a pine tree and it is dying slowing, in order to get rid of it I’d have to get a permit and it would cost me $625 or $650 to get rid of that tree? How about if I plant a tree do I need a permit for that?”
“No, but you’d save some money on that,” Councilman Joseph Hankins joked. “You would first have to buy the tree.”
Township Attorney Lauren Staiger explained that “this is a model ordinance that is being required by Pinelands (Commission) it is not something that the township came up with on its own but because this was sent to the township for consideration and adoption, we do have to discuss it and now there are questions about its implementation.”
Glenn asked, “what is the penalty if you don’t apply for a permit?”
“It can be anywhere from the minimum to maximum stated in usually $250 to $1,750,” Staiger answered.
During this week’s council meeting Council President Conniff said the ordinance would be carried to September 9. “We are awaiting further information from the state.”
Property Sold
Council members authorized the sale of 624 Lawrence Avenue for $10,000 to Marcel and Rachel Rottenberg. An ordinance amending and supplementing township code pertaining to openings and excavations was also passed. An ordinance entitled ‘Land use and Development” which revises a section of township code related to CAFRA area and Pinelands National Reserve Area Zoning Districts and Regulation”
Too Much Work For Tax Accessor?
Glenn asked later in the meeting, “aren’t we pressing our tax accessor a bit too much? We are in the process of doing a reevaluation in our town at the present time and we have to hire outside help, to help us to do this in our own town so how can we sign an agreement with Plumsted and help them when we need unable to do it ourselves in our town?”
Council President Conniff said “we are tabling resolutions 265 to 268.” Resolution 265 which involves a shared services agreement for township tax assessor services between the township and Plumsted, resolution 266 which would authorize an employment agreement between the township and Martin Lynch, resolution 267 which would execute a side letter of agreement between Manchester and OPEIU Local Supervisor Unit and resolution 268 that would execute a side letter of agreement between the township and OPEIU Local 32 White Collar Unit for tax assessor services.
Block said the township’s office staff was working extra hours and getting a stipend. We don’t have extra people out in the field.”
“But we have them working extra hours to do the reevaluation in our own town and now they would have to work to help another town?” Glenn said.
Block said that Plumsted has 3,000-line items, 300 farms “it is not as much, that is something that the council will be talking about.”
Senior Concerns
During the last two council meetings, resident Gail Apgar spoke about The Barn, which recently closed, located in the Whiting section of the township. It was a combination supermarket-style food pantry, market with items for sale, and a restaurant.
She noted that The Barn offered free lunches to seniors and those who are part of the SNAP food assistance program. She said the owner and operator of the establishment, Pat Donaghue, was “feeding them on Mondays.”
Apgar said during a recent Monday there was about 70 people there and that they also distributed some frozen foods.
“County Senior Services is giving her a grant. I think it was a timing issue for her so they are trying to work out that time issue,” Block said.
Donaghue announced last week, “with great sadness we have to announce our closing. After four years of incredibly hard work, and hundreds of thousands of dollars in repairs, rent and a lengthy, expensive legal battle to get the building to code and open, it has proven to be too much for a nonprofit to handle.”
“We will be relocating to a new spot in town that will enable us to offer even more services for seniors, veterans and our military, with of course a full food pantry, with less stress and a very supportive, landlord,” Donaghue added.
Related to this topic, Council Vice President James Vaccaro announced that the township’s Senior Services Department is distributing Farm Market vouchers in the amount of $50 per person to purchase Jersey Fresh Produce for low-income seniors who are 60 years of age or older. “They will distribute vouchers on a first come-first serve basis until all vouchers have been distributed.”
Fishing Derby And Traffic
Council President Conniff and Councilwoman Michele Zolezi both noted the highly successful fishing derby held earlier in the month.
Councilwoman Zolezi, Mayor Robert Arace and Councilman Joseph Hankins attended the graduation ceremony at Manchester High School. Zolezi also attended the June 23 Cathedral of the Air ceremony which she noted was very well attended.
Councilwoman Zolezi also noted recent traffic issues around the community and some vehicle crashes. She urged residents to allow for more time while traveling during the summer season.
