TOWN TALK by Ron Dancer
The Township Committee has been notified by the acting commissioner of transportation, Jack Lettiere, that Plumsted’s grant application to the "Local Aid For Pedestrian Safety Programs" has been approved in the amount of $100,000. The pedestrian safety program had 242 applications from municipalities across the state totaling more than $42 million for the $5 million available.
Plumsted was one of only 42 municipalities statewide to be awarded the grant, which will provide $100,000 to construct sidewalks within walking distance to our schools for the children.
During times of state deficits, Plumsted is extremely fortunate to continue receiving significant grants of this nature and we thank our state Sen. Bob Singer and Assemblyman Malone for all their assistance. The Township Committee would also like to thank the Board of Education for supporting our grant application. This award is another example of the positive results of representatives from the Board of Education and Township Committee meeting at least quarterly and working together to improve the community.
The Township Committee also has been notified by the state Department of Public Safety, Division of Criminal Justice, that our grant application for police vests has been approved in the amount of $780. Grant awards do not require any pay back by the township.
Legislation: The state Assembly’s Senior Issues Committee passed Assembly bills 3280 and 3278, of which I am a sponsor. Bill 3280 would impose greater penalties for theft by deception and theft of identity offenses when the victim is a senior citizen or disabled person. Bill 3278 would require the Department of Health and Human Services to make available to the public evaluative report cards of assisted living facilities.
The deadline for seniors and disabled persons to file their application for the property tax freeze program is March 17. Reimbursement checks are scheduled to be mailed by July 15. For more information, please call the Ocean County Office of Senior Services, toll free, at 1-800-668-4899.
Meetings and Suggestions: The next regularly scheduled meeting and citizen comment period with Township Committee members Ken Francis, Ada Roberts, Bonnie Quesnel and Deputy Mayor Joe Przywara will be Feb. 24. Residents can preview our business agenda, to the extent known, 48 hours prior to the meeting on our Web site, www.plumsted.org.
Meet personally with the mayor at the library on the first Wednesday of each month (March 5th) from 7 to 9 p.m. to discuss local concerns or state issues.
Regarding state legislative issues, residents may also contact the staff of Sen. Bob Singer, Assemblyman Joe Malone and myself at the 30th Legislative District office by calling (732) 901-0702.
Ron Dancer is the mayor of Plumsted Township. He can be reached at 758-2241, township; 758-3497, home; or by e-mail at [email protected].

