NJ Transit is working with the Monmouth County Transportation Council and the county Planning Board to institute the program under a federal greenhouse gas reduction program.

“Residents and visitors will be able to travel among these communities without the need for a car,” said Neptune Deputy Mayor Mary Beth Jahn, who has been helping develop the program. To read the rest of the story get the Sept. 17 edition of The Coaster on your newsstand now. ]]> http://thecoaster.net/wordpress/2009/09/17/neptune-discusses-shuttle-bus-program-under-review/feed/ 0 http://thecoaster.net/wordpress/2009/09/17/avon-to-participate-in-study-analyzing-shared-services/ http://thecoaster.net/wordpress/2009/09/17/avon-to-participate-in-study-analyzing-shared-services/#comments Thu, 17 Sep 2009 18:13:48 +0000 Coaster http://thecoaster.net/wordpress/?p=6859 By PAUL BOOTH
Avon officials have agreed to participate in a study which will analyze the feasibility of sharing services with neighboring towns.

At a meeting Monday the commissioners debated whether the borough should pay $2,800 towards a study, already supported by five neighboring towns, that will analyze the feasibility of sharing certain services among the participating municipalities.

The study, supported by Belmar, Bradley Beach, Lake Como, Neptune and Neptune City, is 75 percent complete and mainly concerns police and municipal court services including dispatch, prisoner detention, use of K-9 units, and management among other aspects.

“It was felt that the fireworks would conflict with some 9-11 memorials and some of the volunteer fire and first aid departments felt that they would be inappropriate on that day,” said Ocean Grove resident Eileen Kean, who has been collecting money to help fund the fireworks.

The schedule for all Back to School Nights is: Summerfield School, Wed., Sept. 9 at 6:30 p.m.; Shark River Hills Mon., Sept. 14 at 6:30 p.m.; Gables School Wed., Sept. 16 at 6:30 p.m.; Midtown Community School Thurs., Sept. 17 at 6:30 p.m.; Early Childhood Center Mon., Sept. 21 at 6:30 p.m., Green Grove School Tues., Sept. 22 at 6:30 p.m.; High School Tues., Sept. 29 at 7 p.m. and Middle School Thurs., Oct. 1 at 7 p.m.

Visitors are asked to bring non-perishable food items, (cans, boxes, no glass) to Back to School Nights to support the local food banks.

The event is being sponsored by the PRIDE in Education Committee.

At least $5,000 has been raised by Ocean Grove resident Eileen Kean to help fund the display.

“I think fireworks unite the community and are just a wonderful source of entertainment for children and families,” she said.

Ribbon-cutting for pool planned for Jan. 16

“We are meeting our milestones and we are within budget with minimal change orders,” said Don Francipane, the project’s facility engineer.

Francipane said a lot of the interior walls are up and that people can start to see the layout of the facility.

It’s official- the old Wardell/Welsh diary on Old Corlies Avenue will be acquired by Neptune Township and preserved as passive, open space.

The Township Committee Monday night adopted a $550,000 bond ordinance to acquire the tract, one of the oldest dairies in Monmouth County.

“We are very happy that they listened to our concerns and took into consideration what is good for the community,” said Jennifer Eldridge, president of the Old Corlies Avenue Preservation Alliance.

The mayors of the five participating municipalities proposed this feasibility study in response to the increasingly challenging economic conditions in New Jersey. While all of these municipalities already participate in shared service arrangements through inter-local service agreements with one or more of the other municipalities, this represents the first time these five neighboring municipalities have come together as a group to undertake a comprehensive feasibility study of opportunities for sharing these types of services.

Bradley Beach Mayor Julie Schreck said the public has been asking for sharing services and reduced costs for a long time.

Dianna Harris, president of the Midtown Urban Renaissance Corporation (MURC), has organized a petition campaign to rename the Neptune section of the street, between the Asbury Park border and Route 35.

“It’s a friendly petition that is seeking to give some identity to the Neptune redevelopment zone between Asbury Park and Neptune. There are two separate names but it is one continuous street with a great deal of history,” Harris said. “A lot of people do not identify with Springwood Avenue anymore but it has always been one community and I would like to get that concept back.”

After much debate at Monday’s Township Committee meeting, the governing body decided that any employees attending the conference will be reimbursed for registration fees and mileage only. Previously lodging, if shared, and meals were reimbursed.

The 94th New Jersey League of Municipalities Conference will be held at Atlantic City’s Convention Center from Nov. 17-20.