The Manalapan Police Department has reported the following incidents which recently occurred in the community:
On Nov. 30 at 10 a.m., a Manalapan resident reported being defrauded in the amount of $169,000 after opening an online account. Patrolman Reginald Grant took the report and the incident is pending further investigation.
On Nov. 30 at 11:34 a.m. two Manalapan residents reported being defrauded in the amount of $30,000 during a business transaction. Patrolman Edward Burns took the report and the incident is pending further investigation.
On Nov. 30 at 4:22 p.m., employees of Target, 55 Route 9, Manalapan, reported the theft of $258 worth of merchandise from the store on three separate occasions. Patrolman Christopher Capuzzo took the report.
On Dec. 1 at 10:14 a.m., a Manalapan resident reported that unknown individuals stole a credit card and made purchases in the amount of $4,601. Patrolman Hayden Hrymack took the report.
On Dec. 1 at 1:41 p.m., employees of CVS Pharmacy, 120 Woodward Road, Manalapan, reported receiving a fraudulent check to purchase $560 worth of merchandise.
Patrolman Edward Burns took the report.
On Dec. 4 at 1:05 p.m., a Jersey City resident reported that unknown individuals damaged the windshield of a vehicle while it was parked in the driveway of a home on Smithburg Road. Patrolman Everett McNulty handled the report.
An emergency contract has been authorized by the Township Committee in Freehold Township for HVAC system work at the Department of Public Works building on Jackson Mills Road.
On Nov. 22, committee members authorized an emergency contract in the amount of $26,835 with Automated Building Controls Inc. for repairs to and replacement of the heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems at the DPW building.
According to a resolution, the repairs were needed immediately due to the lack of heat and air conditioning affecting public and employee health and safety.
In other business, committee members accepted the installation of a pavilion at Michael J. Tighe Park, Georgia Road, and authorized final payment of the $53,000 contract to Capela Construction Inc.
Finally, committee members awarded a contract for water testing and laboratory services for the utilities department with Agra Environmental Services. The contract is in an amount not to exceed $40,000 and has an anticipated term of one year.
A corrective action plan has been adopted by members of the Borough Council in response to a recommendation in Freehold Borough’s 2021 municipal audit.
On Nov. 22, council members passed a resolution to accept the 2021 audit. Under state law, the governing body of every municipality must conduct an annual audit of its books, accounts and financial transactions.
Council members also passed a resolution adopting the corrective action plan in response to a recommendation contained in the 2021 audit.
The auditor’s recommendation was that a written certification of availability of funds be obtained from the chief financial officer (CFO) prior to the award of any contract by the governing body, in accordance with state statute.
According to the resolution, the corrective action procedures have been put in place to ensure that no resolution or ordinance authorizing entering into any contract pursuant to state statute will be enacted by the governing body unless the borough clerk or attorney has attached a written certification obtained from the CFO.
In other business, the council members passed a resolution opposing any sale of the painting “Washington Rallying the Troops at Monmouth” which is owned by the Monmouth County Historical Association. The work was painted by German artist Emanuel Leutze in 1857.
Officials noted the paining recreates George Washington’s involvement in the Battle of Monmouth in June 1778, portions of which took place in present-day Freehold Borough.
The association issued a statement indicating its directors were reassessing the value of the painting so as to deliberate the most responsible path forward for the painting, which may have indicated the association was seeking to sell the painting.
In their resolution, municipal officials said, “The painting is one of the most significant items of the MCHA collection and would represent a tragic loss to the community if it were sold. The mayor and council of Freehold Borough … call upon the MCHA to abandon any thoughts of selling this historic piece of art so as to ensure future generations will be able to enjoy this treasure.”