The MANCHESTER Times Vol. 26 - No. 13
In This Week’s Edition
MICROMEDIA PUBLICATIONS
JERSEYSHOREONLINE.COM
Environmental Commission Reviews Redevelopment Proposals
BREAKING NEWS @
jerseyshoreonline.com
Community News! Page 11-12
Dr. Izzy’s Sound News Page 18
Inside The Law Page 21
Dear Joel Page 22
−Photos by Bob Vosseller The site of the old Ocean County Landfill, along Route 70 and Sam Pitts Road is one of two redevelopment projects being reviewed by the Manchester Township Planning Board and Council. The site, pictured, is currently owned and operated by Manchester Township as the Whiting Recycling Center. By Bob Vosseller MANCHESTER – The Manchester Environmental Commission recently reviewed two redevelopment proposals which will soon go before the governing body. Redevelopment areas are properties that already had something built on them at one point. Often, a new builder takes a look at the
property, and begins talking with the town about what could be built here. Negotiations would follow before the builder made a formal application to the planning board. On July 1, the Environmental Commission held a special virtual meeting to discuss the two sets of plans which Commission member Bill Cook called a “con-
cept plan. What is allowed, what could be allowed, setting up some boundaries that supersede the zoning ordinance.” Commission member Bill Foor said this is one step in a 10-step process. He noted that the plans submitted must have council and planning board approval and the (Environmental - See Page 4)
Manchester EMS Begins: “Project PPE”
By Bob Vosseller MANCHESTER – Members of the township’s EMS service are continuing to combat COVID-19 through a new program called Project PPE. Manchester EMS, which launched in March, recently announced the start of program that involves Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) like masks and surgical caps which have been in short supply across the country.
These shortages have led many resourceful and innovative people to create homemade surgical masks and caps as a way of protecting themselves and their loved ones from the spread of coronavirus. Healthcare partners in local hospitals have been able to use these homemade style masks and caps as well. When disposable N95/KN95 Masks and Surgical Caps come in contact with
airborne contaminants they can no longer be safely used. In a hospital setting this exposure happens at a rapid rate. The use of washable homemade masks and caps over the disposable N95/KN95 Masks and Caps enables the wearer to prolong the lifespan of the disposable PPE. The EMS service’s goal with the “Project PPE” program is to partner with members of the
community who would like to donate PPE (homemade and disposable) that can be distributed to area hospitals and the healthcare staff working inside them. A no-contact PPE Donation Box has been set up outside Manchester EMS Headquarters at 29 S Colonial Drive for any and all donations. As a precaution, EMS members will launder all donations and then (EMS - See Page 4)
July 11, 2020
COVID Might Make Running For Office Harder
By Bob Vosseller MANCHESTER – Township officials expressed some frustration prior to the start of their last council meeting regarding reaching the governor’s office. The concerns were based on council candidates getting on the ballot which is normally done through a written petition. “To be put on the ballot in November for the three council positions that are up, each candidate must obtain 400 petitions from residents. They are to be signed by the residents. However, with the COVID-19 concerns, we are going to request that the petitions be signed electronically,” Mayor Kenneth Palmer said. Manchester is a non-partisan town and anyone seeking office (Mayor or Council) must collect 400 petitions between mid-June to Aug 31 just to get a position on the November Ballot. However, if these could be done electronically, Mayor Palmer said that would “eliminate the residents’ concern about coming into contact with someone and our candidates.” Contacting local lawmakers was one option being discussed as well as contacting the media Township Attorney Jerry Dasti said he’d be talking with 10th District Sen. James W. Holzapfel and 9th District Sen. Christopher Connors about the issue. It was noted that “a Democratic town like Perth Amboy is in the same boat as us. Maybe it will help out.” “Normally we gather the petitions by going door to door in our neighborhoods and going to various meetings around town. Due to the pandemic, there are no meetings available and a large number of our residents are rightfully concerned of opening their doors,” said Council President Sam Fusaro, who is up for re-election. The other two councilmen whose terms (Office - See Page 7)
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