LAKEHURST – A pair of new police officers were sworn in at the start of the most recent borough council meeting.
John Dolan was sworn in as a member of the Lakehurst Police Department by Borough Attorney Ian Goldman. His father Robert Dolan, the chief of the Manchester Police Department, pinned the badge on his son.
Vance Anthony Pelino was also sworn in as an officer. Lakehurst Police Chief Matt Kline stood beside both officers during their installations.
In other news, Aidan James was appointed as lifeguard at Horicon Lake, Hailey Dries was appointed to the Land Use Board as an alternate member and Raymon Sinto was approved for membership to the Lakehurst Volunteer Fire Department.
The first responders were discussed in reference to the recent grand opening of the Wawa on one of the circles. “I think a good time was had by all,” Council President Steven Oglesby said. He noted the fire department’s win in the Wawa Hoagie for Heroes three-minute hoagie building competition.
That contest also included the borough’s First Aid Squad that he belongs to and the Police Department vying for bragging rights and a trophy. “It opened this morning to a very, very positive turnout,” Oglesby said.
Looking over to the audience that featured members of the fire department, the council president remarked, “we won’t mention the ringer you had making subs.”
“Oh, they had a ringer?” Mayor Harry Robbins said grinning.
It turns out one of the members of the fire company’s team previously worked at a Wawa but they said, “that was years ago.”
“Our coach was determined to beat their coach and we did do that, I think they had 30 and we had 27 and I’m not sure what the police had but a good time was had by all,” Oglesby said.
Councilman James Davis chaired the Independence Day Car Show that was held on Union Avenue. “We had 150 cars and we turned 18 away because there wasn’t enough parking.”
“Was that a record (for cars at the show)?” the mayor asked.
“Pretty close,” Davis responded. Next year’s event may include more street space to accommodate additional classic cars to park as part of the show.
Resolutions were passed supporting Mas Flower LLC for a Class 5 retail Cannabis license and the refund of $5,000 of a cannabis application fee to a cannabis business that was not selected.
Rent Control
A resident of one a mobile home community again asked if the governing body would consider action on a rent control ordinance similar to what Manchester Township did earlier this year to curb increases in rent.
Borough Attorney Ian Goldman explained “when you are talking about rent control primarily you are talking about locations and buildings that receive a tax abatement. That is not what is happening here.”
“There are about 300-400 people who have rentals in this town. You don’t feel anything can be done?” the resident added. He noted that such developments are made up of many seniors and low-income families that are finding it difficult to match their income with the increases in rent.
Mayor Robbins urged the resident and others from that development to reach out to the state and report anything they feel might be a violation of the law or any programs that might assist residents.
