MANCHESTER – Road safety issues have been discussed during several recent Township Council meetings, as drivers point out problem spots on local streets.
Resident Alice DeVito, Pine Lake Park asked the governing body if new developers contribute to a fund to pay for road improvements to handle traffic.
Township Attorney Lauren Staiger and Business Administrator Carl Block told the audience that this was a concept that the municipality could not implement.
Developmenters typically are required to provide a traffic study with their application, Block explained.
Resident Jeff Dingfeld, Route 547 asked about the zoning map change tied to ordinance #24-30 and inquired if a traffic study had been conducted.
Block and Staiger answered that a traffic study was done pre-application.
In other news, the governing body moved to approve several ordinances during the most recent Township Council meeting.
Ordinance 24-33 was unanimously approved and served to amend township code entitled “Land Use and Development” revising a section entitled “Coastal Area Facility Review Act (CAFRA) Area and Pinelands National Reserve Area Zoning Districts and Regulations.”
Also approved was Ordinance 24-34 that concerned the purchase of land commonly known as Whiting Terrace between the township and Karen Mandel in the amount of $24,180.
Another land sale was for property at 1409 7th Avenue to developer Jeffrey Jerman who purchased it for $30,000. This was tied to Ordinance 24-35.
Ordinance 24-36 and 24-37 concerned amending salary ranges and positions of bargaining unit employees and non-bargaining unit employees of the township. No new ordinances were introduced during the last council meeting.
Purchasing
The township authorized a change order bid for North Buckenham Drive for the replacement of a water main. Also authorized were some emergency repairs at Crestwood Village VI for a water main break and road repairs there.
A contract with the Bergen County Cooperative Pricing System for a 2025 Ford F150 extended cab and accessories was also approved for purchase during the latest council meeting.
A professional services contract was award to Attorney Angelo J. Genova, managing partner of Genova Burns LLC for legal services pertaining to review and evaluation of Heritage Minerals Inc. and Homeland Corporation for Off-Tract Water Facilities.
Young Entrepreneurs
Mayor Robert Arace recently noted a pair of young entrepreneurs in the township and gave a shout out on his mayoral social media page. “We love the entrepreneurs! They are the backbone of our economy and have been the primary catalyst of economic growth in America since our founding.”
“Cheers to these young entrepreneurs, (Lincoln and Kennedy of Holly Oaks) and to their parents, for encouraging them to succeed, and to our Manchester Township Police Officers Patrolmen Brendan Brush and Julian Meaney for recognizing and supporting them,” the mayor added. The two business partners were selling bracelets and slime at their table on a sidewalk near their home.
Fall Recreation Schedule Released
The Fall/Winter 2024-25 Recreation brochure by the Township Recreation Department was recently released. The brochure notes a few new programs and some interesting events planned. It can be found at:
parksrec.egov.basgov.com/manchesternj
The Recreation Department office issued a reminder for those who are setting up an account for the first time, the parent/guardian needs to be set up first as the primary member then each additional household member as needed when registering for programs.
Next Meeting Date
Township Clerk Teri Giercyk reminded members of the public present that the next Township Council meeting would be held on different date than usual. The Council’s next meeting is Tuesday, October 15 at the usual time of 6 p.m.
