Neptune Township Municipal Building. View from the parking lot after the meeting. Paul Goldfinger photo
By Paul Goldfinger
The Neptune Township Committee seemed pretty subdued at its special workshop meeting on Wednesday, January 18, 2012. The session was supposed to allow each Committeeperson the chance to look into the future and discuss goals and initiatives for the coming year. Each member spoke briefly as did the three administrative officials who were also present. There was no drama or controversy. It was an opportunity to relax and to create a wish list.
L to R: Mr. Phil Huhn, Mr. Rick Cuttrell, Mayor Randy Bishop, Deputy Mayor Eric Houghtaling and Mr. Kevin McMillan
A wide range of topics were covered. Ocean Grove was barely mentioned, but neither were other specific parts of town. Mostly it was about more general issues such as park maintenance, care and feeding of our lakes, drainage problems all over town, recycling reforms, staff reorganizations, and the chronic lack of money to do everything that’s needed.
A few highlights seemed particularly interesting. Dr. Michael Brantley is involved with Wesley Lake, and he said that the Wesley Lake Commission was thinking about a large fundraising event. Mary Beth Jahn expressed concern about the town’s housing stock. She said we needed more apartment buildings with affordable rentals, especially because the Jersey Shore Medical Center was planning a large expansion and would need local housing for a growing staff.
Mayor J. Randy Bishop noted that the Governor signed a bill yesterday that would allow towns to change the board of education elections to November starting this year. The bill also says that no public approval of an education budget would be necessary if the budget is at or below the cap. Mr. Bishop plans to convene a meeting with the Board of Ed. Here is a link about this matter:
Mr. Kevin McMillan spoke about the recreational programs in town. He hoped we might have a jazz festival in the Midtown park and perhaps a summer employment program for kids. Deputy Mayor Eric Houghtaling was interested in seeing the Public Works Department “help the town” by dealing with pot holes, park repairs and drainage problems.
The Mayor also spoke about the town’s becoming “more customer focused.” He suggested that Township employees such as Code Enforcement call ahead to let citizens know that they are on the way.
Mr. Phillip Huhn, the Business Administrator, told the group that Neptune Township was successful in many areas. “We have a lot of good things going on” he said. “We need to get the word out and inform our residents.” Mr. Michael Bascom, the Chief Financial Officer, noted that the Township’s bonds had been upgraded four times in a row due to the town’s “fiscal responsibility.” Also present was Mr. Rick Cuttrell, the Township Clerk and weatherman. He seemed mellow. There was a low pressure system in the room…and no snow outside.
Then they all retired to a private room for an executive session, and I went home for dinner. The meeting lasted about one hour—that also is news.
Thanks doc.