MANCHESTER – After months of telling residents to hang on and wait until they negotiated a plan, before enrolling with a power provider to gain savings, Township officials recently announced that they have concluded an energy aggregation agreement and urge residents to check it out on the municipal website where it soon will be posted.
Township Business Administrator Carl Block said he has been negotiating with energy suppliers.
“The mayor and council have been going after public bidding to try and get a reduced electricity rate in this energy market,” he said.
“This is an opt out program so everyone is in. Anyone can opt out at any time so if you feel this isn’t for you and you want to go someplace else (for power) you can opt out. There is nothing but savings if you want to stay in,” Block added.
He added that 18 months was the best estimate of time “for the company that will have a change in the market. There will be a new energy plan next year because we will have a new governor and legislature and – everyone assumes – a new plan.” He said the change to this aggregation program would realize a small savings “but a savings nonetheless.”
Block noted, “it will start in November and you will be receiving notices in the mail and there will be notices about our community solar program.”
Councilwoman Michele Zolezi added there would be information put on the township website concerning the program. “There will be a call-in number if you have any questions. We definitely want to walk everybody through it.”
Block said that there needs to be more energy production in the state that would bring supply more in line with demand.
“There are some rebates coming out in November so any rebate that the state is going to give out to electrical customers through the (State Board of Public Utilities) in September and October will still be received,” he said.
JCP&L increased its rates by 19.6% in June. Customers saw their average monthly bills increase by $23, from $112.25 up to as much as $134.92.
The Ocean County Board of Commissioners is calling for urgent reforms JCP&L, citing repeated service failures, rising utility rates, and a lack of accountability to the community.
Purchasing Ordinances
Council President Roxy Conniff pulled the first ordinance, #25-31 explaining, “it needs more time to review.”
That ordinance concerns the acquisition of various capital equipment appropriating $1,200,000 and the issuance of $1,140,000 in bonds and notes to finance a portion of those costs.
The second bond ordinance was for the appropriation of $2,500,000 authorizing the issuance of $2,375,000 in bonds and notes to finance a portion of the costs.
When pressed by a resident for more details about the specific capital improvements and various equipment were, Block responded, “one fire engine, a backhoe, two dump trucks. There are no physical buildings or anything like that.”
The last bond ordinance went for the acquisition of vehicles and equipment for the township’s East and West Water Utilities, appropriating $550,000 and authorizing the issuance of $500,000 in bonds and notes to finance a portion of those costs. Both ordinances were unanimously passed.
Resolutions
The council approved a Recreation Department item for an archival recording license and production score music agreement.
The council passed a resolution authorizing the award of New Jersey Municipal Aid Improvements to Congasia Road. They also amended Resolution #25-250 authorizing an award of contract to Bluum USA Inc. through OMNIA National Cooperative for Technology Solutions, Products and Services.
A job for a well drilling, maintenance and repair went to A.C. Schultes Inc. Another resolution was approved that for a shared services agreement with Berkeley Township for UCC Code services.
Council Reports
Council Vice President James Vaccaro urged residents to be safe, shop locally and to have pride in Manchester Township as it is “the gemstone of the Jersey Shore bar none.” He continues to advocate for a health care village that would bring services and jobs to the municipality and seeks progress in finding funding for a senior/youth recreation center within the township.
Vaccaro recently expressed his enjoyment of watching the fire dancers and hula dancers earlier this month at the annual “Night in Paradise” performance that is part of the Recreation Department’s summer music concert series held at Harry Wright Lake. “It was a huge success with a record crowd in attendance and we had perfect weather.”
Councilwoman Sandy Drake noted that the Manchester Little Legue (MLL) would be holding a gift auction from 5 to 9 p.m. on September 13 at the MLL Pavilion at 2425 Ridgeway Road. There is no entry fee and the event will run rain or shine. There will be a 50/50 raffle and BYOB/Food. Potential prizes include one free year of tri-state garbage service, free 2026 MLL registration, local business/restaurant gift cards and various gift baskets.
Police Chief Antonio Ellis also promoted a fundraiser that is coming up next month, the police department’s “Pawsta Dinner.” The K-9 Unit fundraiser will be held from noon until 3 p.m. on September 14 at Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Church, 30 Schoolhouse Road. The entry fee is $12 and dinner will include pasta, meatballs, bread, drinks, coffee, tea, and dessert.
Sponsors for this event include Luigi’s Italian Market, Manchester Township and Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Church. For additional information about either fundraiser call Councilwoman Drake at 732-904-6260.
