JACKSON – Township officials moved forward in amending a trash container ordinance to lighten the load for residents.
A vendor had appeared before the council last month making the case that people doing construction on homes don’t need a survey of the property just to prove to the town where the trash container will be. He said it would be costly for the homeowner and added more paperwork for the town. A simple sketch should be enough to tell the town where the receptacle would be.
His comments prompted a discussion among members of the council on how to approach this issue. The ordinance refers to large receptacles like Dumpsters.
Councilman Alex Sauickie said during that meeting that he saw the logic behind the request to modify the ordinance and to allow for a sketch so as not to hurt the client with an added cost that would extend beyond the township application fee.
Township Attorney Gregory McGuckin said a councilman had requested a minor change in the wording in paragraph five of the ordinance – section “placement and conditions” – and added wording that an area “should be paved if a container is present.”
Councilman Steve Chisholm noted, “I wanted to relay to the fact that council has been listening to the public not just when we are passing these ordinances and trying to preserve the quality-of-life issues we have all come to know and love, but also when there are residential concerns that we may have done something wrong.
“We are not looking to have inopportune issues which put a burden onto the public so we are amending that. We are listening to you and being as responsible as we are possibly able to, moving at the pace of government,” Chisolm added.
No one came forward from the public to make any additional comments about the ordinance which was unanimously approved by those present. Councilman Nino Borrelli was absent for that meeting.
Meanwhile, ordinance 22-22 was introduced. The measure establishes certain no parking zones on Larson Road and County Route 14. It will be up for a public hearing and vote on August 9.
Park Improved, Vehicles Bought
A lighting improvement was voted on at the Bartley Road softball field.
Kern thanked Business Administrator Terence Wall and Mayor Michael Reina in regards to that resolution. “This is something we have been looking at for quite some time. They were able to get it into this year’s budget which is absolutely amazing. The girls that use that field will now be able to have evening games. This is a great thing.”
Other purchases included two Ford Explorer vehicles for the Jackson Police Department at a cost of $80,759.30 from Fire Ford.
Seven police interceptor vehicles were also approved for purchase for the police department in the amount of $251,339.41 from Buyer Ford. Both vehicle purchases were made through a co-op vendor.
PNA Construction Inc. was also authorized for a contract involving the township’s 2022 road improvement program.
Councilman Martin Flemming said of those resolutions, “as we grow our police force this is some of the expenses that come with it. We need cars for them and we will keep them well equipped. These are important acquisitions and will keep our guys safe.”
Councilman Blasts State Plan
Chisholm took issue with Governor Phil Murphy once again regarding the manner in which the administration was addressing the issue of mental health in the state. While he said that giving focus to that issue was a good thing, he questioned a $28.8 million expenditure for an emergency phone system.
This is in reference to a new phone number people having mental health issues can call in an emergency. The new number is 988. It’s available 24/7 for call, text, or chat for those experiencing a mental health-related or suicidal crisis, or those looking to help a loved one through a crisis. The existing Lifeline number, 1-800-273-8255, will also continue to be available, state officials said.
Of the $28.8 million, $12.8 million was for implementing the call center and $16 million was for mobile crisis response to support individuals in crisis who need in-person care.
“I’m pretty sure we could get a hot line up and running but what do we need $28 million for? What are we paying people to answer these phones?” the councilman asked rhetorically.
Chisholm further asked, “what are we doing with this money? Are we going to find out it is like DMV (Department of Motor Vehicle) in a few years? Once again, the government goes out and creates a problem and then they throw money down the rat hole trying to address the problem they created.”
Chisholm added that while there have always been mental health issues “they created this with COVID with their response with lockdowns, allowing marijuana and other things to go running through our state. We all know what that does to the mental health of young minds. I don’t think this is the right way to go.”
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