By alison granito
& jane meggitt
Staff Writers
Upper Freehold Mayor David Horsnall said that, overall, 2002 was a good year for the township.
At the same time, however, Horsnall said he would have liked to see some events unfold differently, specifically, portions of the Planning Board’s Master Plan Review.
"The Planning Board did finish in 2002 its Periodic Re-examination Report of the Master Plan and Development Regulations as required by state statute. It contained a number of recommendations that the Planning Board could consider at a future date as amendments to the master plan. The most controversial of these was to move to 4-acre minimum lot size with a cluster option. In my opinion it is unfortunate that this provision was not accepted at a later meeting of the Planning Board. If it had been accepted by the Planning Board, I feel that the Township Committee may have adopted the appropriate ordinance in support of that recommendation," said the mayor in an e-mail message on Saturday.
"The Planning Board continues to discuss provisions of the master plan with respect to the best way to preserve open space and to consider acceptable ways to develop a larger base of commercial ratables. Presently the Planning Board is waiting for additional ideas and information from the planner," he added, noting that he expects the board, of which he is a member, to hear from the planner at the end of the month.
Horsnall also said that when and if the Planning Board makes recommendations to the Township Committee, he expects the governing body to act on them and have its own discussion of the proposed changes to the master plan in a timely manner.
Although the master plan may be among the most important issues facing the community, Horsnall said great progress has been made in other areas in 2002.
He cited the development of the Byron Johnson Recreation Complex, as well as the development of other long-awaited recreational areas now open for business.
"In addition, the Mark Harbourt Soccer Field area has been opened and is being used by the youth of our area. The volunteers and others who have worked so hard on this deserve tremendous credit. We all look forward to the official opening when these areas are fully completed during 2003," he said.
In addition to the accomplishments in recreation, Horsnall said that the township took on some significant capital projects last year.
"We had significant restructuring and expansion of our DPW [Department of Public Works] operations with the addition of experienced personnel and new equipment. The township also continued an aggressive road maintenance and road improvement program through 2002.
"Some of these projects take longer than expected — or wanted — but in the long term provide for the convenient and safe travel of all residents as well as those who are just passing through," he said.
Despite the community’s accomplishments, Horsnall said he would like to see the township make improvements in some areas this year.
"After a slow down over the last few years in acquisition of open space and farmland for preservation there is reason to hope that the tide may be turning. This will be as a direct result of focused attention and action of the two non-profit groups under contract with the township, the New Jersey Green Acres and Farmland Preservation offices and the wonderful interest and cooperation of area farmers and landowners who wish to participate in these efforts. In support of these efforts locally we have raised the open space tax to four cents and put in place a $2 million dollar bond for the purpose of acquiring and preserving open space," he said.
Another accomplishment cited by the mayor includes the award of a lease for a cell tower to be erected on township property.
"Not only will this generate revenue for the township but will facilitate and improve communications for emergency service organizations in our town, for our own township needs and for the convenience of all local users of cell phones," he said.
On the public safety front, Horsnall said, "three additional firefighters have been hired. There are now four firefighters stationed at Hope Fire Company, Monday through Friday during the day to support the volunteer staff. These firefighters are also fully qualified EMT’s and because of a cooperative effort by Allentown First Aid Squad and Hope Fire Company these firemen may be used to support the Allentown First Aid Squad volunteers as first responders when required.
"These firemen were hired because Hope Fire Company, Upper Freehold Township and Allentown all realized and acknowledged that a need existed to provide for the continued safety and welfare of both communities. As the program grows these career personnel can help to expand fire prevention education and begin to do fire safety inspections of necessary facilities," he said.
Among the long-term goals that the mayor would like to see the township accomplish, managing growth effectively remains No. 1.
"It is very important that we — the Township Committee, the Planning Board and the community at large — continue to plan for the proper use of our natural (land and water) resources. Land-use planning not only provides a picture of how we want our community to look but it is a statement of how we plan to address the environmental and economic issues that face a growing community. I believe we missed an opportunity to do this with the recent defeat of the 4 acre with cluster option change to the Master Plan. But, that does not mean we can stop working at it and I am committed to continued dialogue and putting in place ordinances that are equitable for everyone whether they own one acre or 100 acres," he said.
In addition, Horsnall cited future work on developing a business plan for the township and preserving open space as priorities.
Horsnall also said that he would like to encourage more public participation this year, even among residents who may have gripes with the township.
"We — the community — have been dealing with several citizen interest subjects this past year or so. Not always to the satisfaction of the residents who come before us, but I hope always to the best interests of all of our community. I am not sure everyone who comes to speak with us believes it when I say, ‘Thank you for coming, we were glad to hear what you had to say, please come again.’ But, I do mean it. It is the way government is supposed to work and I truly encourage it," he said.
"As concerned citizens, people have a responsibility to present their concerns and their representatives have a responsibility to listen," he said.
However, he said he felt that sometimes there was a more constructive way for the public to participate in government than has recently been exhibited.
"People need to come with ideas, not accusations. We spent many hours of dialogue this past year dealing with questions of conflicts of interest. Certainly people can bring those issues to the table but once the issue has been addressed and the point put on record it is time to move forward on the issues at hand," he said.
Upper Freehold Mayor David Horsnall said that, overall, 2002 was a good year for the township.
At the same time, however, Horsnall said he would have liked to see some events unfold differently, specifically, portions of the Planning Board’s Master Plan Review.
"The Planning Board did finish in 2002 its Periodic Re-examination Report of the Master Plan and Development Regulations as required by state statute. It contained a number of recommendations that the Planning Board could consider at a future date as amendments to the master plan. The most controversial of these was to move to 4-acre minimum lot size with a cluster option. In my opinion it is unfortunate that this provision was not accepted at a later meeting of the Planning Board. If it had been accepted by the Planning Board, I feel that the Township Committee may have adopted the appropriate ordinance in support of that recommendation," said the mayor in an e-mail message on Saturday.
"The Planning Board continues to discuss provisions of the master plan with respect to the best way to preserve open space and to consider acceptable ways to develop a larger base of commercial ratables. Presently the Planning Board is waiting for additional ideas and information from the planner," he added, noting that he expects the board, of which he is a member, to hear from the planner at the end of the month.
Horsnall also said that when and if the Planning Board makes recommendations to the Township Committee, he expects the governing body to act on them and have its own discussion of the proposed changes to the master plan in a timely manner.
Although the master plan may be among the most important issues facing the community, Horsnall said great progress has been made in other areas in 2002.
He cited the development of the Byron Johnson Recreation Complex, as well as the development of other long-awaited recreational areas now open for business.
"In addition, the Mark Harbourt Soccer Field area has been opened and is being used by the youth of our area. The volunteers and others who have worked so hard on this deserve tremendous credit. We all look forward to the official opening when these areas are fully completed during 2003," he said.
In addition to the accomplishments in recreation, Horsnall said that the township took on some significant capital projects last year.
"We had significant restructuring and expansion of our DPW [Department of Public Works] operations with the addition of experienced personnel and new equipment. The township also continued an aggressive road maintenance and road improvement program through 2002.
"Some of these projects take longer than expected — or wanted — but in the long term provide for the convenient and safe travel of all residents as well as those who are just passing through," he said.
Despite the community’s accomplishments, Horsnall said he would like to see the township make improvements in some areas this year.
"After a slow down over the last few years in acquisition of open space and farmland for preservation there is reason to hope that the tide may be turning. This will be as a direct result of focused attention and action of the two non-profit groups under contract with the township, the New Jersey Green Acres and Farmland Preservation offices and the wonderful interest and cooperation of area farmers and landowners who wish to participate in these efforts. In support of these efforts locally we have raised the open space tax to four cents and put in place a $2 million dollar bond for the purpose of acquiring and preserving open space," he said.
Another accomplishment cited by the mayor includes the award of a lease for a cell tower to be erected on township property.
"Not only will this generate revenue for the township but will facilitate and improve communications for emergency service organizations in our town, for our own township needs and for the convenience of all local users of cell phones," he said.
On the public safety front, Horsnall said, "three additional firefighters have been hired. There are now four firefighters stationed at Hope Fire Company, Monday through Friday during the day to support the volunteer staff. These firefighters are also fully qualified EMT’s and because of a cooperative effort by Allentown First Aid Squad and Hope Fire Company these firemen may be used to support the Allentown First Aid Squad volunteers as first responders when required.
"These firemen were hired because Hope Fire Company, Upper Freehold Township and Allentown all realized and acknowledged that a need existed to provide for the continued safety and welfare of both communities. As the program grows these career personnel can help to expand fire prevention education and begin to do fire safety inspections of necessary facilities," he said.
Among the long-term goals that the mayor would like to see the township accomplish, managing growth effectively remains No. 1.
"It is very important that we — the Township Committee, the Planning Board and the community at large — continue to plan for the proper use of our natural (land and water) resources. Land-use planning not only provides a picture of how we want our community to look but it is a statement of how we plan to address the environmental and economic issues that face a growing community. I believe we missed an opportunity to do this with the recent defeat of the 4 acre with cluster option change to the Master Plan. But, that does not mean we can stop working at it and I am committed to continued dialogue and putting in place ordinances that are equitable for everyone whether they own one acre or 100 acres," he said.
In addition, Horsnall cited future work on developing a business plan for the township and preserving open space as priorities.
Horsnall also said that he would like to encourage more public participation this year, even among residents who may have gripes with the township.
"We — the community — have been dealing with several citizen interest subjects this past year or so. Not always to the satisfaction of the residents who come before us, but I hope always to the best interests of all of our community. I am not sure everyone who comes to speak with us believes it when I say, ‘Thank you for coming, we were glad to hear what you had to say, please come again.’ But, I do mean it. It is the way government is supposed to work and I truly encourage it," he said.
"As concerned citizens, people have a responsibility to present their concerns and their representatives have a responsibility to listen," he said.
However, he said he felt that sometimes there was a more constructive way for the public to participate in government than has recently been exhibited.
"People need to come with ideas, not accusations. We spent many hours of dialogue this past year dealing with questions of conflicts of interest. Certainly people can bring those issues to the table but once the issue has been addressed and the point put on record it is time to move forward on the issues at hand," he said.