Emilie Bell

The meeting featured the swearing in of Dawson Palmarini as an Honorary Firefighter, Honorary EMT, and Honorary Police, acknowledging his dedication to first responders. Key actions included the approval of payments from the Current Fund and service areas, totaling over $3.2 million. Ordinances passed on second reading authorized the vacation of portions of roadway abutting Price Avenue and the introduction of a Bond Ordinance for Congasia Road Improvements funded by an NJDOT Grant. Several ordinances introduced for the first reading authorized the sale of municipal lots to specific parties. Consent agenda items included resolutions for an alcoholic beverage license transfer, release of performance guarantees, adoption of the Ocean County All Hazard Mitigation Plan, various finance resolutions including refunds and authorizations for disabled veteran tax exemptions and an extension of the grace period for August 2025 tax bills, and resolutions placing liens on properties for cleanup costs. Council reports covered community events and anticipation of bid results for energy aggregation. Executive session was held to discuss a matter under the Open Public Meetings Act.

The meeting addressed the approval of the Corrective Action Plan for the Calendar Year Audit 2025. Council authorized payments for bills from the Current Fund, Eastern Service Area, and Western Service Area. Ordinances introduced for a second reading and final action included the authorization of the sale of specific lots to Gold Eagle Enterprises and the purchase of a specific lot from Stavola Realty Company. Ordinances introduced for the first reading included granting a renewal of municipal consent to Comcast of New Jersey, authorizing the acceptance of donated property lots, and amending sections of the Water and Sewer code. The consent agenda included resolutions authorizing a service agreement with Motorola Solutions, contracts for police motorcycles, release of escrows, budget transfers, opposing the misappropriation of 9-1-1 system fees, and various contracts and change orders, including one for the sale of the property previously discussed in Ordinance #25-43. Council members provided various reports, noting holiday greetings, local events like Run with Santa and Christmas in the Pines, recognition for the Township receiving awards from Sustainable New Jersey and for work at Tuskegee Park, and updates on police activities including receiving a Silver Award for valor.

This reexamination report assesses the continued viability of the Township of Manchester's Master Plan and existing development regulations as mandated by the New Jersey Municipal Land Use Law. It provides an overview of major land development issues and objectives, evaluates changes since the previous 2017 reexamination, and offers specific recommendations for amendments to the Master Plan and development regulations. Key recommendations include implementing privately owned stormwater management, encouraging renewable energy uses, fostering commercial growth, developing pedestrian and bicycle networks, maintaining Sustainable Jersey certification, incorporating the Natural Resource Inventory, adding comprehensive water, sewer, and traffic plan elements, establishing an Architectural Review Committee, refining lighting level regulations, revising application checklists, adjusting density calculations for cluster developments, and updating various zoning ordinances and redevelopment plans to reflect current and future municipal goals.

This reorganization meeting involved the swearing-in of Mayor Hankins and the election of Council President Conniff and Vice President Vaccaro. Key actions included the reading into the record of numerous mayoral appointments to various boards and committees, such as the Zoning Board of Adjustment, Rent Leveling Board, Planning Board, and various advisory committees. Council appointments to standing committees were also established. The meeting addressed correspondence regarding sold notes. Ordinances introduced and approved on first reading included amendments to Chapter 372 (Streets and Sidewalks), authorization for roadway vacation within the Roosevelt City plan, repeal of Ordinance 2024-25, and amendments to salary ranges for bargaining and non-bargaining units, as well as an amendment to Chapter 353 (Solid Waste). A large Consent Agenda was approved, encompassing resolutions for purchases via state contracts, escrow releases, adopting a civility policy, designating agents for tax appeals and filings, authorizing payment methods (ACH, credit/debit cards), setting interest rates on delinquencies, authorizing a municipal lien sale, adopting civil rights and cash management policies, and authorizing temporary budget appropriations for 2026 utilities and general funds. Several contract resolutions appointed legal counsel, engineers, auditors, and other professional services. Finally, a resolution extended a shared service agreement for municipal court facilities with the Borough of Lakehurst.

This Redevelopment Plan outlines the comprehensive strategy for the revitalization of the 45.5-acre former asphalt manufacturing facility at 2065 Route 37, designated by Manchester Township as an Area in Need of Redevelopment. The plan's goals include increasing the economic base, improving aesthetic appearance, remediating environmental contamination, providing diverse housing options, and expanding electric vehicle charging infrastructure. It establishes specific land use and development requirements, supersedes existing zoning, and provides a framework for redeveloper selection and potential tax abatements to transform the underutilized site.