Residents Have Environmental Concerns Student Honored For Academics

and phone communication, traffic and license plate readers.”

Township Attorney Lauren Staiger responded saying, “a couple of years ago the town did adopt a 5G ordinance and it created - for a lack of a better term - the application process for a company to come in and provide appropriate facilities on existing poles or to replace things of that nature.”

“This is already in place,” the attorney said. “The town actually did a good job

(Concerns - See Page 4)

By Bob Vosseller

MANCHESTER – The most recent Township Council meeting opened with a proclamation for township student Blake Cortez who was joined by his parents and other family members as Mayor Robert Arace presented a proclamation and congratulated him on his accomplishments.

The Whiting Elementary School student won an

(Student - See Page 8)

Concerns:

Continued From Page 1 about getting ahead of this because if the town didn’t have this in place whoever was the fi rst to come in, could not do whatever they wanted but there would be no control at that point.” velopment until a thorough investigation of a rash of recent whale deaths was conducted.

“The town did implement control and they have to follow certain height restrictions, aesthetics and so forth. We have an application process. It has been there for a while. You have to allow for it. It is going to happen and the town was thinking ahead and the town was able to get this in before anyone came in to really put in whatever they wanted,” she added.

One resident noted that she had concerns about “windmills coming into our town. They did not research that (windmill power development). The birds and especially eagles that we have here when they fly to catch their prey that is when they get stuck in the windmills because they are looking down. So before we do this we should really research it.”

Commission storm water regulations that the township adopted last year. “Could someone explain the differences in this new one?” that was the site of a proposed Starbucks, Domino’s, Jersey Mike’s and AT&T store.

“I’m not sure about a Domino’s but there is a Starbucks and Jersey Mike’s and AT&T store. I haven’t heard of Domino’s but I will look into it,” he answered.

Mayor Arace was also asked a question about a full-service restaurant with a liquor license possibly coming to Whiting.

Developer:

Continued From Page 1

Mayor Robert Arace noted that Manchester was among the communities that were in support of Congressman Chris Smith’s call to pause offshore wind deagreements are imperative. “Preservation of our town is a top priority for my administration. However, since we are faced with these site approvals from before my time, we are ensuring that no development will be allowed to move forward without the proper permits and approvals in place.”

The Presidential Gardens Development project has been fighting for state approval for more than a decade and recently planned to move forward as Presidential

Township Environmental Commission member Karen Argenti said “it is really important to note that it is not just the ocean projects but there is impact on the bay and if the bay goes, people really aren’t going to want to come here. We are all part of the watershed.”

Argenti called for more explanation as to the local impact of updated Pinelands

Gardens at Manchester LLC. It received a key approval from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP).

A settlement agreement included a Coastal Area Facility Review Act (CAFRA) individual permit authorization for the project.

The mayor said his administration was taking steps to ensure that the proper permits are obtained and the project is compliant with local regulations prior to any further construction that could take place.

Staiger said that she’d work with the Township Engineer to provide some bullet points for a summary of the changes in the regulations that would help make it more understandable to residents that would be added to the township website. “It was mandatory but you should know what is going on. It was adopted last year and in 2021 by the Pinelands but it took them that long to get out a model ordinance for all the towns.”

“We have to implement it right now and we have to adopt the ordinance by April 15,” the attorney added.

The mayor responded to a question about the excavation taking place on the property next to the Wendy’s in Whiting and if

“I haven’t heard of anybody who has approached the township about that yet.” He said he too looks forward to seeing a full scale restaurant with a liquor license coming to Manchester Township.

The mayor did note the recent opening of The Barn on Route 70 and his attendance at their grand opening last week. That is a family style restaurant that also features a food pantry and is involved with programs to help area residents with food insecurity.

AARP Safe Driving Class For Seniors

WHITING – AARP Safe Driving Class for Seniors will be held at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 180 Route 539, Whiting, on March 21 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

If you are a member of AARP, bring your membership card, and driver’s license, and a check for $20; if not a member, bring your drivers; license and a check for $25. After this class you may receive a discount from your automobile insurance company. Please bring a snack. Call Stefanie at: 732350-2904 to be included in the class.

The Manchester Times welcomes your special announcements! Engagements, Weddings, Births, Birthday Wishes, etc. Please call 732-657-7344 for more details!

Food: Continued From Page 1

“I want to thank everyone responsible for making this an unforgettable event for our district,” said Annie Sayers, OCVTS Transition Specialist. “Our Chef’s Night Out team outdid themselves.”

According to Sayers, dreams will become a reality for many students needing scholarships to attend OCVTS. She called the collective group of guests, volunteers, sponsors, and vendors “Dream-makers,” saying their support humbled her.

Meanwhile, it’s not just the food that made for another delectable Chef’s Night. Also on the menu was community engagement, local business support, and student collaboration.

A gift auction featured over $37,000 in cash and prizes contributed by restaurants, businesses, staff members, and community supporters. Among the donated offerings was a bat signed by local sports icon Todd Frazier, golf passes, beach badges, lottery boards, Devils tickets, and more. In addition, the mega 50/50 raffle resulted in $5,500 being turned over to the winning ticket holder.

Those enrolled in the culinary arts program weren’t the only ones to showcase a bit of their talents at the sold-out event. Students in OCVTS’ woodworking and construction trades classes crafted some of the most popular items contributed to the gift auction. Winners of the custom-made Adirondack chair, wine cases, and a cornhole set, all walked out with big smiles.

The $60 entry fee consisted of unlimited taste tests for not just student-created fare but also for the 24 restaurants and bakeries that offered samplings of various flavors. No doubt the event had something appealing for every foodie’s palate.

OCVTS cosmetology program participants were among the 35 students who helped out in person to make the Chef’s Night run smoothly. Their manners and professionalism were on point as they lent a hand in serving food and bussing tables.

Many of the 325 guests who purchased advance tickets likely showed up as food connoisseurs and relished the thought of treating their taste buds to assorted cuisine. Some of the restauranters present at the event may have even gained some new patronage as a result.

Others, such as Diane Ambrosio, a Waretown resident, came with additional intentions.

“Both my sons attended the vo-tech,” shared Ambrosio. “I’m also here to show my support for the school.”

Food and desserts were served on separate floors, with guests just as eager to taste the fare from those already “in the business” and culinary arts students applying newly acquired skills.

An oyster station manned by post-secondary students included a fantastic presentation. The young men and women shucked through the shells with incredible ease.

Meanwhile, Nina Caprio of Bayville and Payton Kline of Whiting partnered to create a flavorful topping for the raw oysters. Both young ladies are 18 and graduated high school last year.

“We’re making an Asian fusion mignonette,” explained Caprio. “We’ve also included some radish microgreens, and we’re cold smoking them.”

As he made the rounds among the students, OCVTS instructor Chef Gary Lesniak stopped by the tables staffed by some of the graduating high school seniors. The menu there was collectively referred to as Asian street food.

Alyssa Pietropaolo, 18, of Jackson, stirred through a chicken dish with an enticing aroma permeating the air. She said she loves her classes and is excited that she’ll next move on to her dream college as part of Atlantic Cape Community College’s Academy of Culinary Arts program.

Anyone with a sweet tooth surely felt they’d made it to dessert heaven when they descended to the first floor of the event’s location. Displays of individualized portions made it entirely too easy to sample multiple bakery delights.

The selections all had a visual and tasty appeal, from colorful macarons to chocolate and mango mousse, to other assorted goodies. The students who prepared the sweet treats were high school juniors who attend OCVTS a couple of hours a day.

Kelsey McAllister, 17, explained why the culinary arts program works well for her. She looks forward to what she learns at the vo-tech.

“I’ve realized I can’t really focus on things when it comes to paper,” Kelsey said. “When I learn hands-on, I work a lot better, and I also like getting to meet new people and bake and cook things.”

Sayers added her observations concerning why the school’s programs come with rave reviews and reports of success.

“I wholeheartedly believe in what we do to train students,” shared Sayers. “We train them to get a job, to learn a trade, to learn a skill.”