MANALAPAN – Members of the Township Committee have introduced an ordinance which, if adopted, would amend the minimum position qualifications for an individual to be hired by the Manalapan Police Department.
At present, a candidate to be hired by the police department must have an associate’s degree or the equivalent of 60 college credits.
During a meeting on Aug. 14, committee members introduced an ordinance, which states that an applicant for a position in the police department may have, in lieu of the educational achievements, served in the U.S. armed forces for a minimum of two years and received an honorable discharge.
A public hearing on the ordinance has been scheduled for Sept. 11. The committee may adopt the ordinance following the public hearing.
Prior to the committee’s vote to introduce the ordinance, Deputy Mayor Jack McNaboe spoke in support of the legislation and said individuals in the military “put their life on hold to serve. (With this ordinance), they can come here, get a job (in the police department) and pursue a college degree while they are working.”
In another matter related to the police department, committee members authorized the renewal of a shared services agreement with the Millstone Township K-8 School District Board of Education.
Under the terms of the agreement, now in its second year, the Manalapan Police Department will continue to provide one Class III special law enforcement officer to Millstone for security on a daily basis in that neighboring school district.
A Class III officer is a law enforcement officer who has recently retired from a full-time position in a law enforcement agency. The officer will be an employee of the Manalapan Police Department.
And, the Manalapan Police Department’s roster increased by two officers as Ryan Brady and Scott Rindsberg were sworn in as patrolmen.
In other business, committee members approved a water main extension application in connection with the development of the Four Seasons at Manalapan Brook project.
K. Hovnanian has received approval from the Planning Board to construct a 140-home adult community on Route 33, west of the Knob Hill residential development. The company sought approval from the Township Committee to extend water service to the project for domestic and fire flow requirements.
According to a resolution, the township engineer reviewed the company’s application and has not stated any objection to the proposed water main extension, subject to certain conditions.
Finally, the committee awarded a contract to S. Batata Construction Inc. for Monmouth Heights Phase 7 road improvements on Ogden Lane, Chamber Lane and Colonial Court.
Two bids were received for the job: S. Batata Construction Inc. submitted a bid of $445,625 and Seacoast Construction submitted a bid of $576,190. The township engineer recommended awarding the contract to S. Batata Construction Inc.