MANCHESTER – Two residents were appointed by the mayor to the township’s Environmental Commission during a recent Township Council meeting.
Anthony Nasta whose term will end on December 31, 2027 will serve as an alternate #1 member while Robert Morris’s term will expire on December 31, 2026. The Environmental Commission is charged to review and make recommendations concerning applications to the Planning Board regarding environmental issues.
In other news, the Manchester PBA 246 Annual Golf Outing is coming up and Councilwoman Sandy Drake made sure to promote the event during the meeting. The event will be held on June 29 at the Pine Barrens Golf Cub at 540 Hope Chapel Road in Jackson. Registration will be from 10:30-11:45 a.m. and includes a brunch. The shotgun start will be at noon. A buffet dinner and awards will be held immediately after the tournament concludes. For further details contact Golf Outing Chairman Paul Bachovchin at 732-300-1141. This is a fundraiser for the PBA.
“They are looking for sponsors for their annual golf outing,” and anyone interested should reach out to them, Drake added.
The councilwoman also noted her attendance at the recently held 50th anniversary celebration of the Manchester Township High School which Mayor Joseph Hankins also attended. “The Committee did an excellent job. They had a lot of people out there.”
Councilman Craig Wallis also commented on the Memorial Day service noting “it was organized well.” He complimented Caitlyn Sloan who replaced Tracey Lynch who resigned recently for a new position beyond the township.
“Even in the rain everybody showed up for the ceremony,” newly sworn in Councilwoman Judy Noonan said, noting that kids even came out in the bad weather with decorated bicycles. “Everybody came together. She did a great job and our Public Works Department always does a lot of work. We couldn’t do anything without our Public Works people.”
She also noted a lifesaving skills education program with the township’s EMS members. “It is CPR classes and it is really important. I am very proud of our EMT people.”
Noonan mentioned an abundance of signs she has seen all over towns that should be picked up. She said those signs that are past due in removal after the event is over or an item is sold “really make the town look cheap. I really think it is something we need to go after.”
Mayor Hankins warned residents that no signs should be placed on utility poles.
Council Vice President James Vaccaro chaired the night’s meeting in the absence of new Council President Michele Zolezi who was appointed to that role after Councilwoman Roxy Conniff’s recent resignation. Vaccaro repeated his desire to see a health care facility come into the town to bolster the township’s economic standing and to provide local medical services.
The official described it as “a much-needed health care village” adding the council needed to study the need for “a senior citizen/youth recreation center located in Manchester.” He noted such a center “was very importantly needed to expand our present programs for senior services and services for all in Manchester Township.”
He mentioned that he and Office of Emergency Management Sergeant Robert Sharry had attended a recent meeting that concerned the scenario of an emergency evacuation of the township.
The council vice president also praised the Memorial Day service noting “it was very well attended. I commend Director Caitlynn Sloan on a job very well done.”
Vaccaro also spoke about promoting “a business growth stimulus package and explore other ways to make Manchester Township more affordable for our residents. We need to promote controlled growth and smart growth in the areas of commercial development in keeping Manchester Township rural in nature.”
