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UPPER FREEHOLD: Webelos quiz council

By Jane Meggitt, Special Writer
   UPPER FREEHOLD — During routine meetings of the governing body, there’s not much of an audience in the township municipal meeting room. But that wasn’t the case at the Feb. 7 Township Committee meeting.
   The room was filled with Webelos — short for We’ll Be Loyal Scouts — from Troop 180, Den 2 in Allentown. The fourth and fifth grade boys were there to qualify for their citizen activity badge, but also had questions for the mayor and committee members and learned a bit about what local government does.
   Christopher Yurga, Imlaystown Road, and R.J. McLaughlin, Galloping Brook Road, both told the committee that there were too many cars speeding in their areas. Mayor Stan Moslowski Jr. explained that the township doesn’t have its own police force, but relies on coverage from the New Jersey State Police. He said the town could ask the NJSP to patrol certain roads if there were complaints.
   James Ricciardi, Heritage Drive, said there was an abandoned house near his home, and wondered if the township would demolish it. Deputy Mayor Steve Alexander told him that if the grass on the property becomes too high, James should tell his parents to let the township know.
   Township Administrator Dianne Kelly said that when the grass on certain properties becomes too high and the owner refuses to mow it, the township can hire someone to maintain it and “bring it back to a reasonable level.” Committeeman Robert Frascella told the boys that the bill is sent to the owner, so that the taxpayer doesn’t get stuck paying it.
   One young man complained about the quality of the cafeteria food at the Newell Elementary School, while another was concerned about traffic back-ups on Main and High streets in Allentown. They were told that other local government entities were in charge of those matters, respectively the Upper Freehold Regional Board of Education and the Allentown Borough Council.
   Committeewoman Lorisue Horsnall Mount told the boys that her husband, Everett, attained the rank of Eagle Scout.
   ”He’s old now — 52,” she said. Ms. Mount said that even after her husband graduated from college and received various degrees, he believed he received his first professional-level job because the company was very impressed by the fact he was an Eagle Scout.
   In other youth-related business, Upper Freehold Regional PTA president Vanessa DePompo told the committee about two major upcoming fundraisers sponsored by the PTA. The committee approved a raffle license for an event to be held March 9 at the Stone Bridge Middle School. Ms. DePompo said the $10,000 “mega-raffle” includes door prizes, as well as five $500 prizes and a grand prize of $10,000. On April 17, the PTA is hosting a game show night at Mercer Oaks Golf Course, including versions of “Family Feud.”
   Upper Freehold and Allentown officials haven’t also seen eye-to-eye on various issues. Deputy Mayor Alexander issued a challenge to the Allentown Borough Council to compete against the Upper Freehold governing body in the Family Feud event, with the loser giving $1,000 to the PTA.
   ”How can they not want to do it?” he said. “It’s for kids.”
   Ms. DePompo said that funds raised at the function will go toward a mobile iPad lab at the elementary school and the renovation project for the elementary school auditorium. Ms. Kelly is putting together the proposal for the Family Feud challenge to send to Allentown.