HOWELL – Although they are two separate boards, residents brought zoning board issues up at the Township Council meeting.
The Zoning Board of Adjustment hears developers when they want to build something that’s not allowed in the zone a target land is in. The Township Council creates the zoning.
Resident Paula Samarel said she was concerned about a change of use from a warehouse to a manufacturing facility for plastic bottles and containers. She had issues with how one of the community members was treated by a speaker at the previous night’s zoning board meeting.
Samarel also spoke about “different environmental issues” regarding the “federally endangered northern long-eared bat.” She was concerned about the air and water issues that the possible manufacturing could impact the residents of Howell.
The meeting for the bottle facility application will be covered in a future article.
Joe Bizonos of Colts Neck Road wanted to follow up on items from the last meeting. He dropped off documents regarding the successful banning of data centers by other townships. He wanted to know if the township had any plans to introduce an ordinance at an upcoming meeting. “I think it would he really valuable for the town to get ahead of that,” he said, referring to data centers. He was also very interested in forming a local ethics board.
Bizonos then went on to speak about the zoning board meeting from the night before. “One of the cases involved a gentleman by the name of ‘Bernie’,” he said. “I got to speak with him today; he’s a long-time resident, business owner and active member of the community.”
He spoke about how “two of the township professionals acted in a manner that I deemed completely unprofessional. One of them, more than the other, from my perspective, she spoke down to Bernie and the team he brought to defend him.”
Bizonos urged the council to investigate the matter at the zoning board meeting.
Betty Velez-Gimbel spoke next about wanting a state-of-the-art splash park in town. She addressed her information to the grant writer who she wants to look for available grants and funds when they become available. She spoke about how surrounding towns have already investigated this idea for their communities.
Sharon Pressey spoke next, wanting to know who authorized the removal of the geese at Lake Louise. Pressey was adamant about the geese saying: “We all know what happened to these geese…” She stated that she has lived by the lake for 65 years and was not happy about how the situation was handled.
Resident Angela Morone spoke about her group TeensWork Howell. This initiative is focused on having teens getting prepared for adulthood. She spoke about how this group can have mentors help the community’s teens find jobs and be prepared for the next level in work.
After the public comments portion of the meeting came to a close, township officials clarified questions and concerns from the public.
The concern raised by Samarel regarding the zoning issue was spoken about. “Just in general…zoning approvals are typically tied to property, not the specific applicant.” Said John Gross, Interim Township Manager.
He then spoke about Pressey’s comments about the geese. He said: “there are concerns on both sides and we’re acutely aware of that. As far as who’s responsible; I’m the town manager. As town manager, I’m responsible for every activity that goes on.” He said the council will not be renewing the contract with the organization that handled the geese.
Gross also stated that the council is going through the documents Bizonos dropped off and will be getting back to him.
As to the resolutions at the meetings, all were passed without discussion, with the exception of R-26-218, which was asked to be voted on separately by Councilwoman Evelyn O’Donnell. This resolution deals with the contract for recycling collection services to Interstate Waste Services. O’Donnell wanted to table the resolution, stating she didn’t have enough time to review the current information. Gross stated that they already passed the deadline for the current recycling program (12-31-2025) and that the township needs to pass a resolution for the contract to avoid any further charges.
After discussion by the council, the resolution did pass to award the contract to Interstate Waste Services, with Councilwoman O’Donnell abstaining to vote.
Township Honors
Gross spoke about the Fourth of July celebration, which was to be held on July 2. On that night, the township will be dedicating the roadway at Soldier Field as Sean Aker Boulevard. Aker, who passed away on February 4, 2026, was a New Jersey State Trooper Sergeant First Class. He was born in Abington, Pennsylvania and raised in Howell Township, according to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation website.
Gross also spoke about how the Township of Howell had a float in the Monmouth 250th celebration in Middletown.
He also said that the township will be honoring its employees at the upcoming July 14 meeting. Furthermore, Gross said that township employees are now on “summer hours,” which means that “many of the offices have expanded hours, mainly in the morning.” He said that there will not be any reduced hours for the summer.
