Republican incumbent Committeeman Barry Jacobson has won his second three-year term on the Manalapan Township Committee.
In the 2021 municipal election, Jacobson faced a challenge from Democrat Bashir Mohammad in the race for one available term on Manalapan’s governing body. The term will run from January 2022 through December 2024.
According to unofficial election results posted online by the Monmouth County Clerk’s Office, as of Nov. 5, Jacobson had 9,674 votes and Mohammad had 4,625 votes. The election results will remain unofficial until they have been certified by the county.
The 2021 election was conducted with vote by mail ballots; with early in-person voting on nine days in late October; and with in-person voting on Nov. 2.
Jacobson’s victory will continue the local Republicans’ 5-0 majority on the Township Committee. He will be joined on the dais by Jack McNaboe, Susan Cohen, Mary Ann Musich and Eric Nelson.
Jacobson, who is retired, has lived in Manalapan for more than 23 years. He has served on the Zoning Board of Adjustment, the Planning Board, the Economic Development Council, the Environmental Commission, the Manalapan Arts Council and the Transportation Committee.
Mohammad was making his second bid for a seat on the Township Committee. He also ran in the 2020 municipal election.
The Colts Neck Historical Preservation Committee will present a Country Christmas at the historic one-room Montrose School from 1-4 p.m. Dec. 12. There will be seasonal refreshments and holiday music performed by the Mike Wells Trio.
The committee is sponsoring the free traditional holiday fest at the schoolhouse at the corner of Montrose Road and Cedar Drive, Colts Neck. All are welcome to attend.
The committee’s chairwoman, Monmouth County Commissioner Lillian Burry, will read “The Night Before Christmas” and Santa Claus will be on hand to pose for free photos. The Christmas tree inside the school will be festooned with decorations appropriate to the period, according to a press release.
The committee will be selling a map that depicts Colts Neck’s historic sites (suitable for framing) for $20, and “A Tour of Historic Colts Neck” booklet written by Burry for $10.
“Everyone on the committee enjoys preparing and opening the Montrose School for special events that highlight our township’s unique role in 19th century America. We invite everyone to share in the warmth and historic significance of the Montrose School during this community celebration,” Burry said.
Municipal officials in Freehold Township will continue a shared services agreement with Manalapan through which Freehold Township provides Manalapan with the services of health officer Margaret Jahn.
Township Committee members approved the agreement during a recent meeting. According to a resolution, Manalapan’s officials were interested in having Freehold Township provide the health officer’s services on a full-time and continuous basis.
In other business, Freehold Township officials awarded a $4.65 million contract to Fisher Tank Company for improvements to a water storage tank on Gravel Hill Road. A bid for the contract was also submitted by Caldwell Tanks Inc. ($5.02 million). Fisher Tank Company received the contract as the low bidder.
And, committee members awarded a contract to H.A. DeHart & Son, of Thorofare, for the furnishing and delivery of two new trailer-mounted, self-contained vacuum leaf collectors. Each vacuum leaf collector cost $80,580, for a total cost of $161,160.
A pavement overlay program in Freehold Township has been deemed complete by municipal officials.
During a meeting on Oct. 26, Township Committee members authorized a $185,133 decrease in a contract with S&G Paving Inc. for the 2021 pavement overlay program. According to a resolution, the reduction is due to an increase in some contract quantities and a decrease in other contract quantities.
The contract totaled $1.45 million when it was awarded to the firm by the committee in March. The revised final contract totals $1.27 million.
In other business, committee members authorized a $5,000 decrease in a contract with Sodon’s Electric Inc. for a generator replacement at the Freehold Township Police Department headquarters.
The contract totaled $153,854 when it was awarded to the firm by the committee in January 2020. After two change orders, the revised final contract totals $159,003. The second change order reflected a decrease in as-built in quantities. Municipal officials said the work at the police department has been completed.
The American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) recently awarded the Graduate Medical Education Award for Excellence to Dr. Sydney Asselstine, co-chief resident of CentraState’s Family Medicine Residency Program.
Asselstine is one of only 12 recipients nationally to receive this istinction for demonstrating a high level of patient care, interpersonal relationships with patients, physicians and faculty, and for her leadership and community involvement, according to a press release from CentraState Healthcare System, Freehold Township.
“Sydney is an exceptional resident and we commend her on being honored with this most prestigious award,” said Dr. Maria Ciminelli, program director of the CentraState Family Medicine Program.
Following residency, Asselstine plans to complete a primary care sports medicine fellowship to complement her family medicine training and hopes to stay active in her community and continue her involvement in teaching and advocacy throughout her career, according to the press release.