LAKEHURST – Borough officials moved to help out, for a fee, a nearby community with a needed service.
During the last council meeting of 2023, resident Bruce Morrison asked about the shared services arrangement that was on the night’s agenda between the borough and the Plumsted Municipal Utilities Authority.
Borough Clerk Maryanne Capasso explained that the staff member of the Plumsted MUA who had performed work on bills for utilities and trash pickup in the township had passed away “and they asked if we would be willing to help with this.”
“They pay us money to provide those services to them. This is on a part-time basis. It is a couple of hours. We can do most of the work from our office. We are able to go into their system. It is a matter of picking up and processing the payments,” she added.
Borough Attorney Ian Goldman added, “what the borough is doing is basic work in the utility account services. Very basic processing services and CFO services and it benefits us financially and them as we are able to handle it.”
In other news, Council President Steven Oglesby reported progress regarding borough union negotiations.
He noted that he and members of the personnel committee had met recently and had worked on the union negotiations for contracts. “Progress has been made on both fronts. We are almost there so we should have something for both soon.”
The two unions that Oglesby referenced were the LPA (Lakehurst Police Association) and AFSCME (American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees).
New Cruiser
Councilman Robert McCarthy noted with some excitement that “the new police patrol unit had arrived.” He noted that the vehicle still needed to be detailed and modified “after an approximately eight-month delay.” The police cruiser is a 2023 Ford Explorer at a cost of $62,000.
The councilman also noted some line officer changes. He also said there would be a certification of officers within the volunteer fire company following their election this month. The new Fire Chief is Sean Parker. A vote is involved within the Fire Department that the governing body in not involved with.
Citizen Of The Year
The governing body awarded the 2023 Citizen of the Year award to Barabara Cummings.
Cummings was honored for her dedication to the Borough through her volunteer service as a member of the Lakehurst Historical Society and her 32 years teaching the children of the Lakehurst Elementary School.
Pastor Owen L. Alston, left, from Harmony Ministries Church received a certificate of appreciation. He is joined by Mayor Harry Robbins and Citizen of the Year Barbara Cummings. (Photo by Denise Maynard)
Other Business
The council authorized an inter-local service agreement with the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office for Phoenix Automated Property Reporting System.
This is a software system that is used for the report of retail theft and residential theft and individuals that commit the thefts cashing in at pawn, scrap, and second property dealers. The system will be used with local police departments and the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office.
The governing body also moved to approve the hiring of Jason Smith as a temporary 120-day Public Works Laborer and Brian Henry as a part-time police officer.
Officials also voted to approve membership of Joshua DiGianni to the Lakehurst Fire Department.
The Mayor and Council also approved Ordinance 2023-24 which revised general ordinances of the borough regarding licensing. Also approved was Ordinance 2023-25 which concerns lead-based paint inspections in the community.
Traffic Ordinances Approved
Officials approved two ordinances (2023-22 and 2023-23) that addressed traffic. The first ordinance imposes penalties for vehicles over designated weight and increased the fee from $35 to $100 for vehicles of a certain weight that are not permitted on specific borough roads.
The second ordinance governs speed limits. It was developed after officials heard from residents on Cedar Street who complained about cars going at a high rate of speed. There were no speed limits signs posted and this ordinance now allows speed limit signs to be posted on Cedar Street.
Kudos To The Lakehurst Fire Department
Morrison acknowledged the Borough’s fire company for not only their work in fighting fires but for their providing Santa Claus to the neighborhoods of the community and for having the foresight of making sure every child who came by to see Kris Kringle had a present.
He observed Santa’s visit that included “two little girls that just moved into the neighborhood, well actually it was their grandmother who moved in and they were visiting her and it could have been disastrous. Can you imagine six- or seven-year-old kids seeing Santa Claus and having no gift for them?”
“Somebody in the fire department thought that might happen and they had a couple of teddy bears tucked in on the truck that they gave to these little girls as a Christmas present from Santa Claus. Someone had to donate that and I think it is phenomenal and I want to thank our volunteer fire department who came out spending their own time and money from their pockets and do what they do for this town,” the resident added.
He added, “people don’t realize how important our fire department is until they are needed and who go way over and beyond for the town.”
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