Plumsted officials seeking more grants

TOWN TALK by Ron Dancer: A look at news from Plumsted.

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   The Township Committee has submitted a grant application to the state for funding more improvements to historic New Egypt’s Oakford Lake Park and Crosswicks Creek. New Egypt would become both the starting and finishing point for boating enthusiasts when we connect with the Monmouth County Parks System/Green Acres site at the border of Plumsted and Upper Freehold townships at Route 537.
   The Township Committee also has applied for a state grant in the amount of $391,000 to widen Evergreen Road from the site of our new municipal building to Route 537 with improvements to that intersection as well. By obtaining federal, state and Ocean County grants, the Township Committee has been able to pay for new buildings, roads, programs and 24/7 local police protection without raising the tax rate for the past 12 years.
   Dog licenses must be purchased by Jan. 31. Anyone not renewing by mail may purchase dog licenses from the municipal clerk’s office at 2 Cedar St. Dog licenses cannot be purchased without proof of rabies vaccination. Township Committeewoman Ada Roberts, our liaison to senior affairs, proposed and the committee approved a 50 percent discount reduction in local dog license fees for all senior citizens in Plumsted Township.
   The Township Committee is now providing extended hours at our leaf and branch recycling center on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. for the convenience of the public during the season of falling leaves.
   The next regularly scheduled meeting and citizen comment period with Township Committee members Ken Francis, Ada Roberts, Bonnie Quesnel and Deputy Mayor Joe Przywara is Dec. 27. Residents can preview our business agenda, to the extent known, 48 hours prior to the meeting on our Web site: www.plumsted.org.
   Residents visiting our new library are encouraged to use the Township Committee’s suggestion box to inform us of your ideas and concerns. A personal one-on-one listening session with your mayor or committee member is usually provided the first Wednesday of every month at the library from 7 to 9 p.m., however, due to New Year’s Day, the next session will be Wednesday, Jan. 9. The township’s Web site also features an e-mail link for residents to directly communicate with your mayor and committee and listen to your concerns on a daily basis.
Ron Dancer is the mayor of Plumsted Township.