School Gets Mental Health Training Grant

ing grant that is going to provide more school counseling to our students and will help with mental health issues.”

She thanked everyone who was responsible for getting the school district the grant. “It was an incredible application.

Our students will benefit tremendously from that grant.”

ARP Funds

Assistant Superintendent Robert Rotante reported on a state requirement still in place regarding the district’s meeting certain health requirements involving the COVID-19 pandemic. “In summary the district really showed successfully during the 2022-23 school year that we were safe to return

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Open Space: Continued From Page 1

at its June 21 Board meeting. The Township Council supported this acquisition by resolution on June 13.

“With its proximity to so much preserved open space, this acquisition is a good fit, meeting the requirements of the county’s open space program,” Ocean County Commissioner Virginia E. Haines, liaison to the county’s Open Space program told The Jackson Times

“We appreciate the support of Jackson Township and we know this purchase will have environmental benefits that will now be preserved forever,” Haines added.

The site is also within a priority acquisition area in Jackson Township known as the Toms River Corridor, identified by the New Jersey Pinelands Commission in the 2004 Toms River Corridor Plan. Because it is within close proximity to Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, its preservation fulfills one of Ocean County’s goals to buffer the installation from residential development.

Thanking Police

Members of the governing body gave thanks to members of the township’s police and fire departments during recent meetings.

Councilwoman Jennifer Kuhn congratulated 2022 police officer of the year Kevin Scheuerman. “Your professionalism, courage and integrity has set an example for all of us to follow. You have a tremendous impact on our community. We cannot thank you enough for your selfless service and sacrifice. We are proud to have you as our officer of the year.”

Chaplain and K9-Unit programs re-created

The police department recently noted the official return of its chaplain program through an approved ordinance.

Police Chief Matthew Kunz told The Jackson Times, “Our existing chaplain is Reverend Dan Schafer. The ordinance re-created the position, which has existed for many years, but the provision was inexplicably lost during a revision of the township code.”

“There may be additional chaplains in the future,” the chief added.

The police department is also planning to add a K-9 unit to its operations. “It’s been about 18 years since we have had a K-9 unit. The mayor (Michael Reina) was in agreement and interested in reconstituting the unit, which we have needed for some time. This will require specially outfitted vehicles and other equipment,” Chief Kunz said. He added, “I expect the process to take about a year before we have it up and running.”

Lennar:

Continued From Page 1 certain veteran programs.

Griffo has been appearing before the Committee for months along with other residents calling for the governing body to get involved in restoring those benefits in some manner. He noted that the township engineer who spoke during the meeting, commented about not knowing where the responsibility lies for the infrastructure of the Lennar community.

“What elements do they rely on the Home Owners Association versus this township? This is all stuff that should have been ironed out when the builder and the township came together to create this plan this PILOT program,” Griffo said.

He noted that a couple who lived in Plumsted prior to moving to Lennar, had enjoyed the benefits of the Senior Freeze and ANCHOR programs and the township had covered the infrastructure elements involved within the sections of the township where they lived. “She moves along with other veterans I mentioned to the Lennar community and the responsibility shifts.”

Griffo said, “the payment in lieu tax rate that is assessed on the Lennar community is equal to the current tax rate that is assessed on everyone in Plumsted Township gets so what you have successfully done is created two buckets. You have the bucket on the left that is the traditional tax program and from that bucket residents are benefitting from infrastructure improvements and whatever the township needs.”

He added, “then you have the bucket on right is the PILOT bucket and there is a ton of dollars flowing into this bucket. Now we are having to fund roads in our community, sewer lines, common area sidewalks under a normal traditional tax program wouldn’t come into play.”

“You are taxing us at the same rate the same as everyone else is town. We are paying a higher rate and getting considerably less,” Griffo added.

Former Official Honored

A former township official who also served as a staff member was recognized at the start of the recent Committee meeting.

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Continued From Page 2

David Leutwyler’s record was noted in a proclamation of thanks by Mayor Bowen. “For the past 30 years he has been an active member of our community as a baseball coach, basketball coach, assistant soccer coach, vice president of baseball, scoutmaster, Santa Claus, member of the municipal alliance and an active church member.”

“He became a member of the township committee in 2002 and served there for

Grant:

Continued From Page 1 with no requirements of masking or social distancing or contact tracing and no requirements of forced quarantining of our students.”

“Students and staff that chose to wear masks were supported throughout the district and there were no incidents related to that. The district is still meeting all required cleaning procedures as far as cleaning all of our facilities, bathrooms, floors, hallways and we are encouraging all of our students to maintain proper handwashing etiquette, healthy eating habits, healthy living habits,” Rotante added.

Rotante said that funds from the state concerning the pandemic (federal American Rescue Plan, ARP) “were utilized to maintain positions such as guidance counselors, teachers, nurses, computer technicians and several years and served as mayor from 2009 to 2011. He became an employee of the township in 2014. He served as maintenance supervisor, code enforcer, deputy zoning officer, recycling coordinator, community development coordinator...now he has been promoted to Mr. Leutwyler,” the mayor added, regarding Leutwyler’s retirement.

Mayor Bowen said, “you are already volunteering for us but we thank you for your service as a full-time employee and your 16 years of dedicated service to Plumsted Township.” custodians.”

Funds were also used to provide after school programming such as math and literacy and after school sports programs.

“The remaining ARP funds will be used during the 2023-24 school year and will be used for some of those critical staffing areas as well as for our students as well,” he said.

Childcare Academy

The superintendent reminded residents that Childcare Academy registration for the fall was open. It will close on August 3. “Please get your registration in quickly it does fill up quickly.” For information call 732-833-4677 or visit the website jacksonchildcareacademy.com.

The program opens at 7 a.m. in the all purpose room or a designated classroom. All programs finish at 6 p.m. Pormilli added, “we also have optional summer work assignments listed on our

Remembering Dr. Woehr

Deputy Mayor Herb Marinari noted the accomplishments of former Plumsted Superintendent Dr. Gerald “Jerry” Woehr who died recently at the age of 72 and who had served as head of the school district for many years.

Marinari credited him for his leadership, ability to communicate with staff, students, township leaders, parents and others in the community and for advancing the school district as one of the best in the state.

“He was one of the finest, most well-educated men you could ever know. A won- district website. There are plenty of online resources. The only ones required are for AP (Advanced Placement) students. The other ones are optional.”

Loan Status

The School District noted the loss of 64 positions through its adopted spending plan and the school district asked the NJ Department of Education for $10.2 million in assistance to balance its budget for 2023-2024.

Board President Guiseppi Palmeri reported on the status of the loan to support its nearly $166 million budget, contingent on the district being approved for that loan.

Palmeri previously said, “even with this loan we had to make hard decisions for the 2023-24 school year by cutting over $5 million from our budget.”

At June’s meeting he stated, “we have derful person,” Marinari said.

Committeeman Michael Hammerstone added, “I had the privilege of going to school with Dr. Woehr when he was a principal. He will be missed by everybody. It was sad to hear of his passing. It was a shock.”

Mayor Bowen also thanked Assemblyman Sauickie for his work in securing funding for road repair and infrastructure “for critical projects that will enhance our community.” no new information to report other than Mrs. Pormilli and (Business Administrator) Michelle Richardson continually reach out to the County Superintendent on the status of our loan. There has been no confirmation on the status of our loan. They will continue to reach out for information.”

The next Township Committee meeting is at 7 p.m. on August 3 at the Town Hall on Evergreen Road.

Pormilli said the requested loan has been recommended to be at a zero-percent interest rate for 10 years and that the district would need to work “the 10-year loan payment into our budget each year; given the 2% cap on the tax levy, the loan payment will not impact a Jackson resident’s tax rate.”

She said, “we have met with the Executive County Superintendent multiple times, going through each line item in the budget. He has communicated to the Department of Education that the district has been fiscally responsible.”