Politics & Government

Manalapan Among 15 Open Space Grant Recipients Recognized by Freeholders

Notes from the Thursday, July 14 meeting of the Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders.

During the Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders’ regular meeting Thursday, the governing body recognized communities that completed Municipal Open Space Grants projects in the past year. The 15 towns were awarded matching grants up to $250,000 for open space preservation and development projects.

Municipalities that received 2010 Municipal Open Space Grants were: Allentown, Atlantic Highlands, Colts Neck, Fair Haven, Highlands, Long Branch, Manalapan, Millstone, Neptune, Oceanport, Rumson, Sea Girt, Tinton Falls, Union Beach and Upper Freehold.

Manalapan was recognized by the board for the acquisition of a 25-acre piece of property that is next to Manalapan Township's sports complex. Mayor Andrew Lucas, Deputy Mayor Ryan Green, Committeeman Donald Holland, Committeeman Jordan Maskowitz, Committeewoman Michelle Roth and Assistant Administrator Renee Garrigana accepted the project sign.

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Notes From the Freeholders Meeting

• The Board of Chosen Freeholders approved the county’s share of a $423,000 development easement in Manalapan. The county will pay $67,680, Manalapan $186,120 and the state $169,200 for the development rights to the 94-acre Sigismondi Farms property on Millhurst Road.

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Manalapan resident Ray Kalainikas, a frequent critic of open space preservation funded by tax dollars, suggested during the public comments portion of the workshop meeting that the land could be adequately preserved if it were divided into six-acre farmette lots.

“I’d like to see them sell this as six acre tracts, one acre for the homestead, five acres for open space and agrarian use. So we’d still have farmland but we’re allowing people to have open space,” Kalainikas said.

• The governing body approved plans for a pedestrian bridge over Thompson Pond on Route 520 in Middletown.

The bridge will be located across the street from Christian Brothers Academy and will connect a Thompson Park trail.

Construction is estimated to cost $360,000 and take 90 days to complete, according to Monmouth County Engineer Joseph M. Ettore. No road closures or major traffic impact is expected, Ettore said.

Freeholder Lillian Burry said the resolution was pursued after residents who attended Monmouth County Parks & Recreation Commission meetings requested the bridge to connect the Thompson Park walking path.

The approved resolution allows the project to be put out to bid.

• The freeholders approved drainage and roadway improvement plans for Lakewood-Farmingdale Road near Easy Street.

Construction is estimated to cost $500,000 and take 60 days to complete, Ettore said. While the roadway will not be closed during construction, there will be alternate lane closures.

The approved resolution allows the project to be put out to bid.

• The freeholder board approved the county’s participation with Rumson on improvements to Shrewsbury Drive. The improvements include new storm water drainage and sewerage, which will drain both Rumson Road, a county road, and Shrewsbury Drive, Ettore said.

The county will share in 44 percent of the cost up to $77,000. Rumson will pay the remainder and serve as lead agency on the project.


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