Howell officials reported that employees from the Howell Department of Public Works (DPW) picked up 518 loads of brush, amounting to 15,540 cubic yards, in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Isaias.
The storm struck New Jersey in early August and caused significant damage. The issue of the cleanup in Howell came up during the Sept. 15 meeting of the Township Council.
Councilman John Bonevich addressed critical comments he said had been made on social media regarding the township’s cleanup effort.
“I saw a lot of complaints on social media about our shared services agreement with Colts Neck regarding (Howell providing) DPW services (in Colts Neck). I talked to DPW (managers) and our DPW was only in Colts Neck for one day,” Bonevich said.
Township Attorney Joseph Clark said a three-man crew from Howell worked in Colts Neck for one day after the storm had passed and left the brush they collected in Colts Neck in that municipality.
During public comment, resident Tina Smilek said, “I would like to say what a great job public works did on the brush pickup.”
The Howell Alliance, Howell K-8 School District, Howell Optimist Club and Howell Police Department recently collaborated to provide Howell’s third through eighth grade families with CARE packets.
The CARE packets include parent/guardian information about underage drinking, social hosting, vaping, marijuana, depression, safe dating and internet safety, along with a community resources card so parents can get the support they need should an issue arise, according to Christa Riddle, the coordinator of the Howell Alliance.
Donated “2ndFloor youth helpline” and “Dial 911 to save a life in case of an alcohol/drug overdose” wallet cards were enclosed for parents to share with their children when appropriate.
Riddle thanked the Howell police cadets for assembling and delivering the 3,800 CARE packets.