Category: Independent News

  • Budget cuts to police department draw outcry

    KEYPORT – The Borough Council met head-on with the public backlash sparked by cuts in the police department’s overtime fund at a contentious meeting last week. Residents were outspoken in their opposition, enlisting various experts and law enforcement officials to make an appearance in a show of both solidarity and support for the Keyport Police…

  • Hazlet a step closer to adopting $18M budget

    HAZLET – The Hazlet Township Committee held a public hearing on the proposed 2008 budget during the May 6 meeting at town hall, with little comment from residents on the $18.3 million spending plan. The budget would increase the tax rate to $1.084, a 0.5-cent increase over last year, according to Chief Financial Officer (CFO)…

  • Towns work on rejected school budget

    BY ERIN O. STATTEL Staff Writer The Matawan-Aberdeen Regional Board of Education has sent the school budget to the Aberdeen Township and Matawan Borough councils after voters rejected the budget last month. “It is a fairly routine process by now,” said Board of Education President Patricia Demarest. “Both councils will recommend an amount to be…

  • Hazlet will hold meeting on new flood zone maps

    BY JAMIE ROMM Staff Writer HAZLET – The township Environmental Commission went door to door Saturday to inform residents about aMay 20 meeting on revised flood zone maps that may impact their properties. It took about three and a half hours for Annie Eng and other members of the Hazlet Environmental Commission (HEC) to hand…

  • Holmdel BOE reappoints Luccarelli, Hartnett

    BY ERIN O. STATTEL Staff Writer HOLMDEL – Board of Education members re-elected the current board president and vice president at the April 30 meeting. Frank Luccarelli and Mary Hartnett were re-elected to the positions of board president and board vice president, respectively. According to the Board of Education business office, Luccarelli has served on…

  • Police wrestle with Hazlet ‘Fight Club’

    35-second video shown on YouTube being investigated BY JAMIE ROMM Staff Writer HAZLET – While HazletFights may not be on the same level as the movie “Fight Club,” it is getting the attention of the Hazlet Police Department. The latest video sensation on YouTube, HazletFights, the member name of the person posting the video and…

  • Holmdel introduces $20M budget

    ‘Bare-bones’ budget proposed at May 1 committee meeting BY ERIN O. STATTEL Staff Writer HOLMDEL- The TownshipCommittee introduced the 2008 municipal budget last week. At the May 1 committee meeting, a $20 million budget was introduced and explained by TownshipAuditor Robert Oliwa. According to the budget overview, the total 2008 current fund budget appropriations are…

  • Holmdel sets hearing dates for fire chief inquiry

    Mayor, committee to hear testimonies on May 13, 20 BY ERIN O. STATTEL Staff Writer HOLMDEL – The Township Committee has set hearings to investigate allegations against theHolmdel Fire Department chief. Closed hearings are scheduled for May 13 and 20 at 7 p.m. in the main meeting room at Town Hall. Individuals will be subpoenaed…

  • Bayshore towns plan for natural emergencies

    Officials of 10 towns meet with residents to discuss mitigation BY JAMIE ROMM Staff Writer MIDDLETOWN – Officials from 10 towns in the Bayshore area have joined together to keep their towns safe in the case of a natural hazard emergency. Bayshore residents were invited to attend a public information session at Port Monmouth Elementary…