MANCHESTER – Its autumn and leaves are falling and while that’s not news, a resident inquired why one gated community was getting reimbursement funds for their leaf collection.
During a recent Township Council meeting, resident Tom Ferrell questioned a Leisure Village West receipt of $12,753 for leaf collection from the township.
“Why is Leisure Village West receiving reimbursement?” Ferrell asked.
Chief Municipal Financial Officer Jeannette Larson who was in the audience explained “that is part of an agreement. Those communities pay their taxes which includes leaf pickup that they don’t get the benefit of because within their community they have a private service that does that so they get reimbursed based on our cost.”
“Based on the number of homes and calculation they get a reimbursement,” she added.
“So does the town pickup their leaves?” he asked.
“No, that is why they are being reimbursed because we don’t pick up their leaves,” Larson clarified. “We are required by law to give them back money because their taxes include leaf pickup but we don’t pick theirs up. They (other senior communities) get reimbursement based on services they are not getting through their taxes. There is only one town that actually gets the leaf collection.”
Ferrell noted that in Crestwood Village 3 John’s Landscaping “is picking up leaves so why aren’t we entitled to reimbursement?”
Larson responded, “that is something we have to look into.” She added that some of the agreements are old and should be reviewed.
Financial News
Councilmembers approved two ordinances that authorized the sale of property to Stephen and Jessica Brosnan including 1814 Roosevelt Boulevard for $11,900 and 1810 Roosevelt Blvd. for $3,000.
The Council also passed an ordinance authorizing an easement to Ocean County at Ridgeway at the Beacon Street intersection.
Ordinance 25-43 was introduced by Council. It would authorize the sale of 1101 Third Avenue on the Municipal Tax Map to Gold Eagle Enterprises for $370,000.
The Council also introduced Ordinance 25-44 authorizing the $7,700 purchase by the Stavola Realty Company of Harriet Avenue.
The council approved a resolution determining various details relating to the Water Bank
Construction Financing Program of the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank to be issued in the principal amount of up to $5,669,750 and providing for the issuance and sale of such notes to that bank by the township.
The next resolution declared the township’s official intent to reimburse expenditures for project costs from the proceeds of debt obligations in connection with its participation in the New Jersey Water Bank.
Mayor And Council Reports
Councilwoman Sandy Drake reported that Christmas in the Pines was coming up on December 6 at Harry Wright Lake Park in Whiting, coordinated by the township’s Recreation Department.
Council Vice President James Vaccaro again advocated for a medical health campus that would offer medical facilities locally and would serve as a job generator for the area as well as to explore a citizen recreation center for resident programs. “We also encourage our residents to shop locally which supports our town, supports residents and businesses in Manchester Township.”
He also suggested restarting the township’s shop locally program which earns residents’ credits and rebates for patronizing local businesses.
Councilman Craig Wallis joked that Vaccaro forgot to mention that the township was “the gemstone of the Jersey Shore.” He noted that lately “we’ve had pretty good weather. We have some lovely foliage with fantastic colors so go out and see it before it disappears.”
Council President Roxy Conniff reminded residents to be careful in their driving with the advent of daylight savings time and shifting hours of daylight.
“I attended a meeting today with the president and vice president of JCP&L. Some of the things they discussed was the substation in Whiting. It should be 100% new equipment in November. That substation should not only have its primary but its backup system with all new equipment,” Mayor Joseph Hankins reported.
He added that, “they also discussed the Ridgeway substation which being operated on in two different phases. The first phase would be almost $4 million in upgrades and the second phase – which he didn’t give a date for when it will start – will cost just over $6 million and will give much needed relief for residents of Leisure Knoll and Ridgeway and Holly Oaks.”
The mayor’s office is also working on stimulating business growth in the township and that there had been discussions with Aldi and CVS to see if they might be interested in occupying the vacant Rite Aid site on Route 70.
Hairy Situation
Police Chief Antonio Ellis noted that it was no shave November once again meaning things might get a little hairy within the police department but assured everyone that officers with beards must keep them trim and that the program is a fundraiser for a good cause. “I’ll get the specifics out when we determine what the charity will be. Each officer will donate $100 to not shave for the month of November.”
He also updated the community on other events. “We sponsored Trick & Trunk at the high school and we had a great turnout of residents and the children had a blast,” the chief added.
He also released information on vehicle crashes – 471 in the state this year. There were five fatalities in the township. “In Ocean County to date, we’ve had 52 fatalities from accidents. One death is one too many.”
In other news, Donald Miller was sworn as a full time Police Officer during the latest council meeting.
