By WILLIAM CLARK
Ocean Township is scheduled to vote to approve its first cannabis retail license Thurs., Dec. 14.
“Once the ordinance goes through then there will be a [request for proposal] put out for people to apply,” Napolitani said. “The assumption is we’ll get swamped with retail requests if the ordinance goes through.”
Napolitani said the township currently loses revenue when residents go to neighboring Neptune or up to Eatontown to patronize cannabis retailers.
Although there has been some pushback on the effort, Napolitani said the results of the 2020 election is justification enough that residents support the plan with 65 percent of the township voting in support of cannabis.
“So really it’s the will of the people for us to have the retail sales,” he said.
In other business the township will begin its tree canopy survey this week.
Representatives from the Davey Tree Expert Company will be around town evaluating “the overall health and diversity of our urban forest while at the same time identifying any hazard trees that will require action from a safety standpoint,” according to an email advisory sent out by the township.
Residents were informed that these representatives would be clearly identifiable with badges from the company and outfitted with high visibility vests. They will also not require access to private property.
Expectations for completion are around three weeks depending on weather and other factors.
Napolitani said this was set in motion a while ago. The survey is paid for through the Shade Tree Commission, not from the township coffers.
“Our hope is that this count goes well and we can apply for a grant,” Napolitani said.
The grant would pay for the planting of trees on public property.
If this practice brings positive results, Napolitani said the township would like to move into the parks as well.
