Township of Manalapan

The meeting involved the consideration of two main applications. The first application concerned Old Tennent Church's request to replace an existing ground sign with a modernized electronic LED sign. Variances were discussed for size, setback, and minimum letter height, with the applicant agreeing to remove other non-permitted signs and comply with brightness regulations. The second application involved the construction of a sixty by sixty-foot accessory building (pole barn) for residential vehicle storage. The applicant provided a thorough presentation, detailing reductions in the building footprint, adjustments to its location to increase distance from wetlands, and plans for evergreen screening. Discussions also addressed the clarification that the structure would have only electrical service (no water or sewer) and the township's current ordinance limiting sign message changes to once per day, which the Board expressed support for modifying.

The Reorganization Meeting included the administration of Oaths of Office to several members. Key resolutions involved the appointment of Stephen Leviton as Zoning Board Chairman, Janice Moench as Recording Secretary, and Joshua Shalikar as Vice Chairperson. The Board also addressed the establishment of the 2026 meeting schedule, which included a proposed 7:00 PM start time (with an exception for the January 29th meeting). Appointments were made for the Board's professionals, including Marmero Law, LLC as Attorney, CME Associates as Engineer and Conflict Planner, Leon Avakian, Inc. as Planner, and Van Cleef Engineer Associates, LLC as Conflict Engineer. The meeting concluded with the memorialization of approvals for prior applications ZBE2540 (Old Tennent Church) and ZBE2521 (Joseph Rago).

The public meeting addressed an extension of time request for the PBE2438 application concerning the subdivision of a duplex property at 59 Pension Hill Road, which was approved earlier in the year. The primary focus was on Application PBE2535 for K5 Entertainment dba SLICK CITY, seeking amended preliminary and final site plan approval to develop an entertainment park within the Multi-Sports Kingdom (MSK) facility. Testimony covered operational details including staffing, hours of operation, capacity limits (capped at 400-420 patrons for Slick City), food service plans, activities (slides, arcade, zip line), and site layout separation from MSK. A major point of discussion involved a requested variance for the façade signage size; the applicant sought approval for a 392 square foot sign, significantly exceeding the 80 square foot allowance, but ultimately agreed to proceed with a 120 square foot sign. Construction updates for MSK site improvements, including paving, landscaping, and utility extensions to serve Slick City, were provided. Traffic analysis confirmed sufficient parking capacity for combined MSK and Slick City operations. Public comments raised concerns regarding noise levels from music and early morning garbage pickup, as well as traffic safety near shared driveways.

This document outlines the agenda for a meeting, which includes administrative procedures such as the reading of the Sunshine Statement, invocation, salute to the flag, and administration of oaths of office to newly elected Committeeperson Mary Ann Musich and Committeeperson Elect Eric Nelson. Key actions involve the nomination and swearing-in of the 2026 Mayor and Deputy Mayor. A significant portion of the agenda covers numerous Reorganization Appointment Resolutions for 2026, including liaisons to departments, appointments to the Planning Board, appointment of various legal, engineering, and auditing professionals, and appointments to several advisory boards and committees such as the Board of Health and Economic Development Council. The agenda also includes a Public Comment Session and a Consent Agenda featuring items like setting interest rates on delinquent taxes, designating official newspapers, establishing the 2026 meeting schedule, approving contract extensions for services (e.g., concrete repair, equipment rental), authorizing expenditure decisions, and approving the 2026 Current Fund Temporary Operating Budget.

The agenda for the session includes a public hearing regarding Ordinance No. 2025-23, which amends Chapter 33 of the Township Code concerning the Police Department's Permanent Table Of Organization. Key administrative items scheduled for consideration involve resolutions for the hiring of two new Police Officers, Alexander Boyce and Anthony Lampasona, as well as resolutions pertaining to budget transfers, cancellation of expired grant fund balances, crediting unexpended 2025 balances to surplus, and authorizing participation in various Cooperative Purchasing Systems for 2026. A consent agenda covers raffle applications, reports from various departments for November 2025, and several resolutions, including ownership changes for Manalapan Affordable Housing, LLC, and authorizing tax sale premium refunds.