Parkway Changes Planned

Land Preserved In Berkeley and Manchester

By Bob Vosseller OCEAN COUNTY –

County officials recently moved to purchase property in Berkeley and Manchester townships through recommendation of the County National Land Trust Fund Advisory Committee.

Members of the Ocean County Board of Commissioners unanimously voted to approve the purchase in Berkeley Township and two properties in Manchester Township for preservation.

cent meeting of the Board.

The Berkeley one involved 4.99 acres located in the Mill Creek Headwaters Project Area. The money appropriated for the purchase was an amount not to exceed $244,800 plus up to $1,100 for property tax adjustments.

By Chris Lundy OCEAN COUNTY

The New Jersey Turnpike Authority, which also oversees the Parkway, put out the plan, asking for feedback from drivers.

One of the biggest changes is that there will be a “Collec - tor-Distributor roadway.” This is a few lanes in each direction, separated from the rest of the Parkway by a median. Drivers getting onto the Parkway will first be on this Collector-Distributor until either they get off at another Toms River stop or go on to the rest of the Parkway. Between 81 and 82, there will be new roadways added, separated from the main Parkway (Parkway - See Page 5)

Other Industries Suggested For Oyster Creek Land

By Stephanie Faughnan

by the imminent shutdown of the Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station.

The closure of the nuclear plant has already impacted local jobs and will ultimately have a profound effect on tax revenue. Until 2018, Oyster Creek was one of the largest employers in the county, generating $70 million in wages.

Authorities estimate a tentative completion date of the decommissioning in 2029, with fuel removal to begin in 2030.

A study was performed with an initial focus of maintaining employment opportunities and bringing people into the community to work.

Board of Commissioners Deputy Director Commissioner Gary Quinn provided an overview about both properties during a re-

This purchase encompasses a number of properties on Lakeside Boulevard, Hillside Boulevard, Wheaton Avenue, Cedar Plaza, Route 9, Van Hise Lane, Hickory Lane, Manhattan Avenue, Station Road, Halsey Avenue, Harbor Inn Road, Grant Concourse, Navesink

(Land - See Page 11)

Local 5K Takes Steps To Help Others

By Chris Lundy BERKELEY

– This

5K really has people going places.

The Little Carly Foundation is hosting the event from 10 a.m. to

─Photo courtesy Little Carly Foundation Last year’s 5K was a well attended fundraiser. 1 p.m. on April 29 at Veterans Park in Bayville. The route will start at the pavilion, loop around Central Regional High School, (5K - See Page 4)

Alisa Goren, a planner and project manager for BRS Incorporated, identified her company as a small New Jersey-based planning, economic development, environment firm that participated in the submittal of the federal grant application.

According to Sonia Martin, an economist with BRS, the study allows Lacey to analyze options to replace some of what it’s losing with Oyster Creek’s closure.

While the 800-acre former Oyster Creek Nuclear Facility stands as the catalyst for redevelopment, other vacant or underused sites throughout the community have also been targeted. These include a 19-acre site adjacent to Exit 74 on the Garden State Parkway at Lacey Road and an 8-acre parcel on the canal in the Forked River Center zone. Additionally, a 68-acre parcel of land across Forked River from the former nuclear plant holds the potential for new jobs within the Lacey Industrial Park.

Goren said that Lacey officials have been in constant contact with Holtec, the plant’s owners,

5K:

Continued From Page 1 and end back at the park.

But it’s about more than the steps that make up the five kilometers.

Little People of America, which offers support and quality of life improvements for people of short stature and their families, has a national conference that is very as they go through the decommissioning process. The spotlight is on understanding the timeline and determining appropriate areas for reuse.

Among the site’s reuse considerations is renewable energy generation, industrial development, recreation, or a research and development facility.

“The site at the Garden State Parkway currently has residential zoning in the back and office/ commercial zoning along Lacey Road,” shared Goren. “It’s a really great opportunity because of its access to the Garden State Parkway and the connection into the town and the shore.”

According to Goren, the area along the canal is currently underutilized. A closed-down business and restaurant could represent a great opportunity with the expansion of the industrial park or Oyster Creek revitalization. There is potential for a mix of residential, commercial, and civic uses in a walkable, village-like environment.

Goren said that mall businesses within industrial parks provide a significant multiplier effect in local communities and offer further expansion opportunities. Manufacturing, processing, and assembly operations are among the suggested uses for the industrial park. Warehousing and informative and offers a place for people to connect.

The cost to attend, once things like travel and food are factored in, could cost $35,000, said Carly Ruhnke.

The goal of the 5K is to be able to give three families grants to help them on their way, she said.

“I’ve been a member since 2008 or so. A lot of people helped me along the way. I want to give back to the LPA community distribution facilities, trucking terminals, and transportation facilities represent additional considerations.

“We’re looking at the health of the industries themselves,” Martin emphasized. “And, how that ties to the health and growth of employment in each of the sectors.”

“It’s not just the number of jobs,” said Martin. “We also want to make sure they’re good, well-paying jobs, and that they’re not something where the demand for what they produce is already being satisfied in nearly surroundings.”

A little under 40 people listened to the presentation live and offered their input on the analysis. More than one person commented that retail appeared to be a low priority in the prospective plans.

Lacey resident Ron Martin said he’d participated in a prior conference call when the presenters identified Lakehurst as a community experiencing growth with different opportunities related to the defense department. Goren confirmed this was another industry the planners intended to explore for the local municipality.

“I was impressed by the presentation and how BRS is working to identify industries that would like they gave to me,” she said.

Carly and her brother started the foundation a few years back and they’ve cultivated a strong group of volunteers. “I couldn’t do it without them.”

They have 20 sponsors and 55 attendees as of press time. The color of the event materials is purple to represent dwarfism.

Attendants can run or walk, and volunteers are always welcome. The price is $30 for adults and $20 for students. Spon- be a good fit for Lacey,” said local community member Paul Dressler. “They’re trying to move the town to a place where everybody would want to live.”

The study was predominantly grant funded.

Just over a year ago, the federal government approved a $160,000 grant from the Economic Development Administration (EDA) for an Economic Adjustment Assistance project to support the local municipality in developing and executing strategies to adapt and revitalize its economy after experiencing structural damage to its underlying economic base.

The funding, matched by $40,000 of local investment, is intended to aid communities affected by nuclear plant closures under a program known as the Nuclear Closure Community Economic Development Plan.

“Approximately 18 months ago, we applied for the economic development grant as a municipality with a closing nuclear plant,” shared Veronica Laureigh, Township Administrator. “At that time, there were only two towns in the country that qualified for this grant to do a study on how to replace the economic loss that we could face with Oyster Creek no longer operating.” sorship is $100 and the company’s name will be on the event t-shirt, water bottle, and bracelet.

“I’m so grateful and humble about it and I’m looking forward to having a good time,” Carly said.

People can register online to attend or sign up when they arrive, paying in cash, check or even Venmo.

For more information, visit Little Carly Foundation on Facebook or Instagram.

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