HOWELL – Residents sounded off about speeding, land use, and noisy neighbors at the most recent Township Council meeting.
Several members of the public came to the podium to speak about issues they are having. The first was Tony Ciaravino from Aldrich Road. Ciaravino spoke about the speed limit on Aldrich Road, which he deemed unsafe. Ciaravino claims he has emailed the township once a month for two years and has yet to receive a response.
Online searches show Ciaravino previously sued Howell Township over speed-limit issues on Aldrich Road.
Other members of the public spoke about issues they have experienced. Residents like Joe Bizonos spoke about introducing ordinances to “clear out dangerous street congestion.”
Dave Maggio spoke at the podium about a property lot he is not allowed to build on. Maggio alleges he is not allowed to build on or sell the property on Lakewood-Farmingdale Road because of a resolution issue on the lot. Maggio also alleges he has paid taxes on the property for years but has not been able to develop it.
Another public commenter, Richard Krug, addressed the council about an ongoing issue he has experienced for months. His issues include noise disturbances and problems with what he says are renters near his property. Over Labor Day weekend, Krug claims his neighbors were disorderly, and he had to call the police to investigate.
After public comment closed, Town Manager John Gross addressed Maggio and Krug, saying he would take down their information and get back to them.
According to Allison Ciranni, Municipal Clerk, a speed study analysis was conducted on Aldrich Road, but the council is “restrained” from changing the speed limit without recommendations from engineers. As a governing body, the council cannot change the speed limit on Aldrich Road without an engineer’s recommendation.
Tara Bus was appointed Deputy Manager of Howell Township. Bus previously was employed in Holmdel Township, according to Mayor John Leggio, who introduced her to the audience.
The council introduced and discussed multiple resolutions and ordinances at the meeting. Councilman Mike Wrubel spoke after the public comments about the council bringing on Robert Shea, a land use and zoning attorney, to work on zoning ordinances.
“He also has a wealth of knowledge in land use and helping us work with some of these code issues and navigate some of the waters there,” said Wrubel.
R-26-274 is a resolution authorizing the appointment of Robert Shea, Esq., as special land use counsel to perform various planning services for the Township of Howell. The meeting agenda did not list a fee for the services.
Wrubel also said he wanted to thank Town Manager John Gross for some of the land acquisitions and the ordinances they discussed during the meeting.
Key ordinances and resolutions discussed at the meeting included establishing the Howell Township Garden Committee (R-26-275). Another resolution, R-26-276, refers to the Township Manager engaging Heyer Gruel & Associates to prepare an open space and recreation plan. The meeting agenda did not list a fee for the services.
Mayor Leggio spoke to the audience about his frustrations with the issues that have been happening over the past few months, without getting too specific. “The last couple of months I had some sit-downs with Mr. Gross, and I’m not going to lie to everyone here…I’ve considered resigning multiple times. A lot of things that go on in this building (Township Building) …our hands are tied. A lot of it is legal. Things need to be done the right way.”
Mayor Leggio also spoke of people making comments online (Facebook pages) about Howell and how some of their actions are not productive and could “potentially jam the town up.”
The mayor also discussed issues that could have been addressed years ago but are now causing problems in town. “It’s been tough on me. It’s been weighing on me,” said Mayor Leggio. “I’ve had it out with multiple people in this building.” The next regularly scheduled Council meeting will take place on October 6.
