MANCHESTER – For the last three Township Council meetings, officials, professional staff and the public have discussed their frustration over an ordinance that would repeal a prior ordinance to allow more development to take place in the township. That same ordinance has been postponed once again.
Township Business Administrator Carl Block has explained during each meeting that Ordinance 26-9, which repeals Ordinance 24-40 in its entirety, was due to the Pinelands Commission not certifying the original plan.
The ordinance was carried for a third time during a rather lengthy meeting. Block has stressed that the ordinance will repeal a previously approved ordinance designed to curtail the building of town house developments in a specified zone within the community.
“In the ordinance, townhouses were always permitted to be built there, the Council has been trying to eliminate some of those availabilities and so they added an ordinance (Ordinance 24-40) eliminating that option in that zone,” Block explained to a resident who questioned the new ordinance during a prior meeting.
“It is in a Pinelands/light industrial zone. The Pinelands Commission in the normal statutory process has to approve or certify any ordinance we do especially related to land development. Even though the council adopted the ordinance, they (Pinelands Commission) would not certify it so at this point it is unenforceable until they change their mind or in this case repealing the repeal,” Block added.
He indicated that he did not think the Pinelands Commission would change its mind on this matter and did not feel carrying it further would be necessary. The Council wanted the Pinelands Commission to vote on the ordinance – formally – at one of their meetings. Council members encouraged township residents to contact the Pinelands Commission or attend a meeting stating their feelings about the ordinance.
The Pinelands Commission usually meets on the second Friday of each month. These meetings are most frequently conducted at the Richard J. Sullivan Center for Environmental Policy and Education, 15C Springfield Road, New Lisbon. Meetings have also been held virtually since April 2020. The public can livestream and participate in the meetings via the Commission’s YouTube Channel at youtube.com/channel/UCBgpC8sbR3Acrjo7ppxs3Uw. Unless otherwise indicated, the meetings begin at 9:30 a.m. The next meeting is April 10.
Repealing Ordinance 24-40 “will take it back to its original state. We are taking that pause because they will not certify it,” Block repeated before the audience. “The issue was will multi-family or town houses be permitted there (in that designated zone). Council tried to take them out and so now they are permitted and they will be allowed to be built.”
While Ordinance 26-9 was carried to the council’s April 13 meeting, several water and bond ordinances were approved. Those ordinances include a bond ordinance providing for water utility improvements to the western side utility that includes the replacement of Well #10 and the decommissioning of the existing well. The measure appropriated $2,142,000 and authorized the issuance of $2,142,000 bonds and notes to finance a portion of the project.
A second ordinance covering the eastern portion of the agency was also approved that night providing for utility improvements to the Route 70 Water Main Extension Project and appropriating $2,565,400 and the issuance of $2,565,400 of bonds and notes for the project.
Early on during the meeting, the Council recognized the Meals on Wheels program with a proclamation. This program provides nutritious meals, social connection, and safety checks to seniors (typically 60 years of age and older) and homebound individuals, supporting independence.
Mayor Joseph Hankins proclamation notes that “on March 22, 1972, amendments to the Older Americans Act established a national nutrition program for older adults, creating a network of community-based organizations dedicated to supporting the health, independence, and dignity of seniors and for more than five decades, Meals on Wheels Ocean County has helped older adults remain safely in their homes by providing access to nutritious meals and meaningful social connection.
Last year, Meals on Wheels Ocean County delivered more than 286,000 meals to over 2,200 seniors. The need for senior nutrition services continues to grow as the aging population increases and more older adults face financial and social challenges. Nearly 53% of local participants are unable to contribute to the $3 voluntary meal donation, demonstrating the increased need for affordable senior nutrition programs among older adults.
Key Aspects Of Meals On Wheels
Eligibility of the program is generally for adults 60 or older who are homebound, unable to prepare food, or have difficulty shopping, usually confirmed through an assessment.
- Services: Delivers meals to homes, often providing a, hot, nutritious lunch and sometimes breakfast/weekend meals.
- Social Benefit: Beyond food, volunteers provide a vital social visit and safety check.
- Cost: While many programs are free or operate on a sliding scale/suggested donation, some charge a fee based on the provider.
- To Apply: Search by zip code on the Meals on Wheels America mealsonwheelsamerica.org/find-meals-and-services/ to locate the nearest local provider to initiate an application.
