By Michael Benavides
Staff Writer
PLUMSTED – Township Committee members have adopted an ordinance that will change certain residential zones on Lakewood Road (Route 528) to commercial zones.
The ordinance was introduced on Dec. 7 and adopted on Dec. 28. No one from the public commented on the changes when given the opportunity to do so on Dec. 28.
According to the ordinance, “the Planning Board adopted the 2016 re-examination report on Oct. 4, 2016. The re-examination report recommended amendments to the commercial development zone within the New Egypt Redevelopment Area and to expand the C-4 zone along a portion of Lakewood Road, both north and south to the intersection of Moorehouse Road, and the creation of a new highway commercial zone along Route 539.”
The ordinance states that the proposed changes “have been reviewed by the Land Use Board which determined that these ordinance amendments are consistent with the existing Land Use Element” of Plumsted’s master plan.
Plumsted’s zoning map was previously amended to expand the C-4 zone to include the north side of Route 528. The ordinance that was adopted on Dec. 28 will expand the C-4 zone to the south side of Route 528.
In other business on Dec. 28, the committee accepted the resignation of Plumsted Police Officer Danielle DePalma.
Committeeman Mike Wysong said DePalma did a fine job working as a School Resource Officer (SRO) for the Plumsted Township School District. She began working in Plumsted in 2013.
Generally, an SRO is a sworn law enforcement professional who works in a school and interacts with students and staff members on various tasks and assignments.
“I just want to publicly say that from what I have seen over the years, Officer DePalma has done an amazing job working with the children in our schools,” Wysong said. “I want to thank her for the work she has done for the township.”
Committeeman Herb Marinari praised DePalma and said, “Personally, I know from my grandchildren being in contact with her … she is always there for the young ones. She was a great example of what a police officer should be to a young person.”
Mayor Jack Trotta said DePalma is leaving Plumsted to accept an opportunity that better matches her career goals in law enforcement.
“I am very sorry to see her go. She was an excellent officer and everybody loved her. As an SRO, she could not get out into the field as much as she wanted to. She will now have that opportunity. I wish her well,” Trotta said.