Area of Manalapan deemed
environmentally sensitive
By dave benjamin
Staff Writer
MANALAPAN — The state has designated certain areas south of Route 33 rural/environmentally sensitive, a move township officials said could slow development in that portion of the community.
A letter from Joseph M. Barris of Townplan Associates, Middletown, informed the Township Committee that the New Jersey State Planning Commission unanimously approved the township’s request to amend the State Plan Policy Map for certain parcels south of Route 33.
A resolution approving the change to restore the designation of rural/environmentally sensitive planning area 4B from fringe planning area 3 was passed by the State Planning Commission, Trenton.
During the committee’s Oct. 9 meeting, members of the governing body also discussed the possible adoption of an ordinance regarding the confinement of dogs using regular or electric fences, the possibility of tethering animals in their own yards and the enforcement of leash laws.
The discussion was prompted by an incident in which a 9-year-old Manalapan boy was bitten by a neighbor’s dog.
The committee was told that the boy was bitten after entering a neighbor’s property. The dog on that property was prevented from leaving the property by an electric fence, but that fence did not prevent the youngster from coming onto the property in range of the animal.
Township Attorney Matthew Giacobbe said he would research ordinances in other towns before the committee members decide how to proceed.
Also, a bond ordinance providing for a contribution to Monmouth County for the acquisition of farmland preservation development easements in the township would appropriate $193,877 of which $184,635 would be in bonds or notes of the township. This ordinance will be introduced on Oct. 30.
A resolution authorizing a lease agreement for regional animal control, between Freehold Borough, Freehold Township and Manalapan, is also expected to be adopted at the next meeting.
After returning from closed session, the committee passed a resolution authorizing a lease agreement with AT&T Wireless for space on the township police tower.
Additionally, after the conclusion of the executive session five officers were appointed to the police department and a new welfare director was appointed. The names of the people appointed were not available at the meeting.
There will be a 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew in effect, with certain specified exceptions, for Mischief Night, Oct. 30, and Halloween, Oct. 31, for children under the age of 18.