LAKEHURST – Councilwoman Patricia Hodges brought up the development of this year’s municipal budget with a warning that it may be rough going.
Hodges said the financial committee met recently. “It is going to be tight folks. Things are changing so much. We’ll be meeting with all the department heads and will provide an update. We’ll be looking at things very closely. Don’t panic but be prepared.”
Mayor Harry Robbins was absent for the meeting which Council President Steven Oglesby led.
Oglesby asked about the borough’s tax collection rate and if it was down from prior years.
Hodges said that the council has been sensitive to residents’ ability to meet their local tax payments “We have no clear path on the American Rescue Plan (on the federal level pertaining to COVID-19 pandemic aid. So many things are unclear. We have seen a big increase in spending this year no matter how careful we’ve been.”
“It has been one of those things and you have to do it. We’ll deal with it,” Hodges added.
Councilman Brian DiMeo noted that this year’s Easter Egg hunt which is overseen by the borough’s Youth Recreation was replaced with a drop off egg event due to the conditions of the pandemic.
“We had 30 families that signed up. We did nothing physical this year. We actually went out on a Friday night and egg bombed the houses – dropping them off in their front yard so when the kids woke up the next morning they found them. It was nice,” he said.
Also noted was a flea market in the borough scheduled for May 15. The popular event could not be held last year but is still set to happen next month according to Councilman Brian DiMeo. “With some guidance I think it would a good thing to try having it this year. It is a town event. It is outside and the weather should be nice. Obviously, we’ll have guidance with it.”
“It would be done with common sense,” Oglesby added.
The council president said that he was expecting further word from Jersey Central Power & Light regarding LED lights that were to be installed in street lights in town. “We will be reaching out to JCP&L about whether there are any changes to the schedule.”
He also remarked that new street signs were now put up “and are much more readable. They look good.”
Early during the session the council recognized National Library Appreciation Week and presented a framed proclamation to Manchester Library Branch Manager Erin Batalla.
The Manchester Library and the Whiting Reading Room serve the residents of Lakehurst and are part of the Ocean County Library system.
Council President Oglesby asked about the status of the library during the current pandemic conditions.
“We are back at the library working with an adjusted schedule. We are 10 to 8 Monday thru Thursday, 10 to 5 on Fridays and Saturdays in Manchester. In Whiting we are 10 to 8 on Monday, and 10 to 2 on Tuesday thru Saturday. We have a lot of virtual programs going on right now.”
She advised residents to check out the library system’s website for updates at theoceancountylibrary.org. “Live programs might be coming back outside.”
Oglesby asked her if she has seen an uptick in the usage of the library during the pandemic.
“We are still busy. Not as busy as before but definitely busier than I would have thought,” Batalla said.
Oglesby read the proclamation which recognized public libraries as a place where resident can utilize free wi-fi, various written and online materials and resources for entertainment and educational purposes as well as DVDs, CDs and programs. The proclamation also notes it as being “an inclusive place for everyone in the community.”
“The library is more than the four walls of a building they offer collections and programs as diverse as those of the community they serve. Everyone is welcome to use their resources. Libraries offer opportunities and new worlds and during times of crisis libraries and library workers play an integral role in assisting the public in person and virtually,” the proclamation stated.
Oglesby added in reading the proclamation that libraries were the cornerstones of democracy in offering forums of free expression of ideas regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, gender identity or economic status.
