The JACKSON Times Vol. 20 - No. 50
In This Week’s Edition
MICROMEDIA PUBLICATIONS
JERSEYSHOREONLINE.COM
Local Parks Reopen For Passive Recreation
BREAKING NEWS @
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Dr. Izzy’s Sound News Page 14
Dear Pharmacist Page 15
America’s Test Kitchen Page 23
─Photo by Chris Lundy Kristyn, Charlie and Charles Draper walked with Gary Filippone in Double Trouble State Park in Berkeley. By Chris Lundy OCEAN COUNTY – Like birds migrating, people flocked to local parks again as soon as they were re-opened, glad to finally have a change of scenery. And what scenery! The first weekend that parks were open had gorgeous weather, sunny and just
the right temperature. Many – but not all – parks were open for passive recreation. This means hiking, biking, walking or other activities that you can still do while social distancing. Drew Chabot was happy to let his 21-monthold son, Landon, finally get out and run around
in a park again. “I was here the day before they closed the parks, and I only saw one person, who was being respectful and we kept our distance,” he said. Most people seemed to be doing that, too, on that first day. Some folks had masks. Some
didn’t. Of the ones who didn’t, they mostly appeared to be from the same household. People spoke about some of the measures they’ve had to endure throughout this pandemic. “My father is in his 80s, so we’ve been keeping it (Parks - See Page 7)
Council Approves Clean Soil Ordinance By Bob Vosseller JACKSON – If you are bringing a designated amount of dirt into the township for a construction or landscaping project, you will need documentation to ensure that the soil is clean. “No longer will we just trust developers who want to bring in
May 9, 2020
hundreds of truckloads of what we refer to as ‘dirty dirt,’” Council Vice President Alex Sauickie said. The ordinance was approved unanimously during an April 28 Council meeting. Several residents asked for more specifics about the ordinance which Sauickie said was guid-
ed by the State Department of Environmental Protection. Sauickie said that it was “something the New Jersey DEP urges be adopted on the municipal level and requires large developments apply to the town and disclose in advance when they are soliciting in large amounts dirt or
fill that they are bringing into the township.” He added that with the township’s purchase of Rova Farms as open space last year, “this ordinance will help keep Jackson a beautiful rural town for all our residents.” The ordinance states no person shall fill or cause the placement of
any soil and/or fill on any premises in Jackson whether such soil and/or fill be for sale, gift or otherwise, unless a permit therefore is first secured from the Township Zoning Officer or Township Engineer, or the Township Zoning Board of Adjustment.
Council President Resigns
By Bob Vosseller JACKSON – Citing considerations of health, job and unwarranted attacks on his character, Council President Barry Calogero announced his resignation from council during a special May 5 meeting. “The time has come to announce that I will be stepping down as a councilman effective May 13, 2020. Let me address the rumor mill clearly. This decision is not a sudden one. I have been pondering it for several months, however after much discussion with my wife and children I have decided it’s time to focus more on my personal life and health,” Calogero said. “I know in my heart I have done what is right for Jackson. I can leave this post with my head held high and my town in a better position than I found it,” he added. Calogero took leadership of the council late last year after Robert Nixon resigned from the council in November. (Parks - See Page 8)
School Board Chooses New Superintendent
By Bob Vosseller JACKSON – Retiring Superintendent Stephen Genco could never have imagined his last year as educational leader of the township school district would involve a shut down of schools. The search for his successor continued through COVID-19 pandemic guidelines. That search, which began last fall, has come to an end with the promoting of one of the district’s two assistant superintendents, Nicole Pormilli. Following a search that featured dozens of applicants from across the state and the region, the Board of Education recently announced Pormilli’s appointment stating that they had determined her to be the best choice to replace Genco. Parents were informed of the selection in
(Soil - See Page 10)
(School - See Page 11)
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