Freehold Township authorizes
funds for Opatut Park project
By linda denicola
Staff Writer
FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP — The last Township Committee agenda meeting in August was a full one, highlighted by a number of recognition items.
In addition to thanking two companies for their 9/11 memorial contributions, T&M Associates, Middletown, and Seacoast Builders, Freehold Township, committee members presented a local Boy Scout, Thomas "T.J." Gaetano, with a certificate of appreciation.
T.J. was honored for his beautification efforts at the memorial arboretum at Durand Park, Randolph Road, as part of his Eagle Scout project.
Committee members also adopted two ordinances on second reading.
The purpose of the first ordinance is to delete the requirement in the land use section of the revised general ordinance that the front elevation of dwelling units not give an appearance of greater than one-and-one-half stories within the Rural Residential/Planned Adult Community zone district. It leaves in place the sentence "Maximum Building Height: 30 feet and two stories."
The second ordinance appropriates $1.3 million for the development and improvement of open space park land, including Opatut Park at Route 79 and East Freehold Road, and authorizes the issuance of $1.23 million in bonds or notes for financing part of the appropriations.
In addition, a number of ordinances were introduced, including one that appropriates $300,000 for various local improvements and authorizes the issuance of $285,000 in bonds or notes.
The committee also introduced an ordinance designating the Holmes Earl House an historic landmark and another ordinance that concerns inspection of, and cost of, obtaining public records. If passed, a special service charge of $25 per hour will be assessed when the request requires a municipal employee to devote time to duplicating the information.
The committee introduced an ordinance that, if adopted, will authorize the transfer of a small triangular piece of property at the intersection of Georgia and Jackson Mill roads to Monmouth County.
Also among the agenda items, the committee made appointments to various boards and commissions. Scott Powles moved from Alternate II to Alternate I on the Planning Board and Randy Minniear was appointed to the Planning Board as an Alternate II.
Thomas Apostle was appointed to the Board of Parks and Recreation Commissioners and Alternate II Raul Perez was moved to Alternate I on the same board.