HOWELL – The recent Town Council meeting was marked by two events. The first being the retirement of 11 town employees with the second being discussion over new two ordinances being introduced.
The monthly meeting began with recognitions for some of the town’s valuable employees. According to John Gross, Township Manager, each of the retirees had 20 or more years of public service. Of the 11 people who retired, four attended the meeting. All members who retired received an engraved block with their name and years of service, according to Gross. The blocks are to be installed in front of Town Hall in a newly constructed area known as Township of Howell Walk of Fame.
One retiree was police Captain Tim Rizzo. He spoke at the podium during the presentation for a few minutes thanking the town.
“I’ve been all over the country and I can tell you – you’re very fortunate and blessed…to work a career in a place where we have the community support,” said Rizzo. “We never had to deal with civil disobedience and the stuff that police officers throughout our country have to deal with. So, it’s an honor and a privilege to have worked here.”
Rizzo, who has also been featured on the television series “On Patrol Live,” spoke about his legacy on the police force. “I leave a lot of unfinished business on the table,” he said. “It’s not the way I envision myself finishing my career, both professionally or personally…the fact that I couldn’t give you guys more, I regret.”
Rizzo thanked the public for the love and support they gave him and his family over the years.
Several members of the public were given time to speak at the podium during the section of the meeting set aside for this. Larry White, of Wren Way, spoke about ordinance O-26-16, referring to daily fines for violations of town ordinances. White also spoke about the newly introduced ordinance O-26-18, referring to the “code to prohibit data centers in all zoning districts.”
Joe Bizonos, of Colts Neck Road, also spoke about the new ordinances, which he is in favor of. He also said an ethics board should be created for the town.
Richard Krug, of Sami Drive, spoke about a contentious topic. He spoke about the “illegal assembly groups.” These meetings, he alleges, occur on his street.
“I would like someone to respond; I’m going to call on the lawyer right here,” said Krug, referring to the town’s lawyer. “Because I’ve been in the system 38 years and I know the construction law and I know what they’re allowed to do, and I know what they’re not allowed to do.” He was alluding to a possible misuse of permits pertaining to the address in question.
Krug insisted on discussing the possible use of this address for multiple people and families, as opposed to a single-family unit using the house as a place of worship.
Another item brought up at public comment was the alleged “pole barn” located on Darien Road. This topic has been an ongoing zoning/permit issue at this address. There are “double parked cars” at the location and “dozens of men” going inside, according to resident Joe Reilly of Jumping Bush Way.
“Seeing firsthand how disruptive future events at this location may cause, it’s imperative that the revisions to the four land use ordinances that were initially to be voted on at the May 12th, 2026, council meeting be voted on and adopted ASAP,” said Reilly.
After public comment was closed, the council was able to speak about the topics brought up. The events that occurred at Darien Road are being investigated, according to the town council. Councilman Ian Nadel spoke about how he expects the ordinances to be enforced within the town, regardless of who is committing the offences.
Councilwoman Evelyn O’Donnell asked questions about how repairs and renovations can be fixed at the library. She also asked about how the library can construct an “outdoor pavilion.” The Friends of the Howell Library have raised over $16,000 through book sales and they want to use that money to build a shade pavilion, she said.
O’Donnell also spoke about the need for tree removal after storms. She alluded to the trees being dangerous and wanted to know if more can be done by the county or DPW.
According to John Gross, the library building probably will not be funded this year. The township engineer would also most likely not be utilized, as Councilwoman O’Donnell asked about. More details will be needed, he said.
As to the tree removal, he said the town is doing what it can now and the DPW is working as much as possible to address the tree issue.
Mayor John Leggio also spoke about the traffic trouble with the Darien Road pole barn. “I’m disgusted by some of the stuff that I’m seeing in the neighborhoods,” said Leggio. “As far as Darien Road the other night…I got several phone calls in regard to the party. So, I went over there…I called one of our liaisons to the community… and told him it would be smart to contact PD to have some kind of traffic thing set up.”
Mayor Leggio said that night in question he found the parked cars to be a problem. This could lead to issues with emergency services not getting to a location due to an excess number of cars in the area, according to Leggio.
“I have zero tolerance for it,” said Leggio.
Key ordinances from the night that were adopted included O-26-16, which amends penalties for per day fines for continuing violations. The ordinance banning data centers in the town, 0-26-18, was successfully introduced.
The next Town Council meeting is scheduled for August 18. The executive session (just for officials) starts at 6 p.m. with the regular session beginning at 7 p.m.
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