The MANCHESTER Times Vol. 27 - No. 1
In This Week’s Edition
MICROMEDIA PUBLICATIONS
JERSEYSHOREONLINE.COM
April 17, 2021
Pinelands Towns Could Tap Into Maple Syrup Industry By Bob Vosseller NEW JERSEY – When you think of maple syrup production you might immediately think of Vermont but it could become a reality within the New Jersey Pinelands. The state’s Pinelands Commission recently held a webinar focusing on that subject called “Maple Syrup Production in Southern New Jersey: Challenges, Lessons and Paths Forward.” Southern New Jersey is not generally seen as a region of high maple syrup production
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as variable climate and lack of sugar maples have historically deterred any type of hobby or commercial market from forming. Through the financial assistance of a major USDA grant, researchers at Stockton University are exploring ways of overcoming these challenges through the use of alternative maple species and newer technology like vacuum assist pumps and reverse osmosis. Presenter Aaron Stoler who (Industry - See Page 16)
Community News Page 12-13
Dr. Izzy’s Sound News Page 20
−Photos courtesy Stockton University Professor Aaron Stoler of Stockton University joins volunteers for a program to tap into the potential of South Jersey to become a maple syrup producer.
Dear Joel Page 24
Inside The Law Page 23
Classifieds
A volunteer uses an evaporator as part of a maple syrup production survey.
Page 27
Lakehurst Braces For Tough Budget Study Calls For Rain Gardens By Bob Vosseller Mayor Harry Robbins was absent for the meetThroughout Town LAKEHURST – Councilwoman Patricia Hodg- ing which Council President Steven Oglesby led. es brought up the development of this year’s municipal budget with a warning that it may be rough going. Hodges said the financial committee met recently. “It is going to be tight folks. Things are changing so much. We’ll be meeting with all the department heads and will provide an update. We’ll be looking at things very closely. Don’t panic but be prepared.”
Oglesby asked about the borough’s tax collection rate and if it was down from prior years. Hodges said that the council has been sensitive to residents’ ability to meet their local tax payments “We have no clear path on the American Rescue Plan (on the federal level pertaining to COVID-19 pandemic aid. So many things are unclear. We have seen a big increase in spending (Budget - See Page 7)
By Bob Vosseller MANCHESTER – Members of the township’s Environmental Commission recently heard a report on Manchester’s most valuable resource - its environment. The “Green Infrastructure Feasibility Study
for Manchester Township” was discussed by its author Chris Obrupta, Extension Specialist in Water Resources, Rutgers Cooperative Extension Water Resources Program. Obrupta said “part of our mission is to extend
the university out to different communities in the state to help them with their problems and help improve their quality of life. I came to Rutgers 18 years ago and started the water resources program.” (Gardens - See Page 25)
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