By WILLIAM CLARK
A study is underway to determine the ideal placement for a new Ocean Township Municipal Complex.
Mayor John Napolitani said five areas are being analyzed. They include the current town hall, the open field next to the library on Deal Road, the current Board of Education building on Monmouth Road, a strip of township owned land along Route 35 North and Deal Road and property along Asbury Ave on the border of Neptune.
Napolitani said planners from Remington and Vernick are working independently of township officials . He stressed any project is in its infancy. Although there has been pushback from residents regarding possible use of open space along Deal Road Napolitani said all council members agreed the study of that area should be included in the planners’ determination.
Napolitani said the township is doing its due diligence with all options. He also said the placement for a municipal complex should be ideal for all residents. That goal is a sentiment, he said, shared by department heads throughout the township to ensure equitable access for residents from Wayside to Wanamassa.
A report could be expected in a few weeks and residents will have the opportunity to ask questions and hear information at a soon-to-be scheduled meeting.
“Nothing’s off the table,” he said of the options.
Cannabis Businesses
Coming to Town
Napolitani also said that several cannabis businesses are working towards opening in town.
Five operators are currently in the process of applying including one for manufacturing and cultivation, one for retail, one just for cultivation, and one just for manufacturing. A proposal is being heard to permit a wholesaler to also open up business. Each would be situated in the industrial area around Sunset Ave west of Route 35.
Napolitani said the influx of tax revenue will be a welcome windfall for the township.
“There’s no reason not to do this,” he said, pointing to additional tax revenues in Neptune and Eatontown as incentives for Ocean’s budget.
With no beach or parking authority, Napolitani said, the township must look for revenue streams in other areas. As residents receive recalculated tax bills, Napolitani said, township officials must find areas to offset the rising costs and relieve the burden placed on homeowners.
The mayor said he hopes one of the businesses is close enough to opening so the township could start seeing revenues collected from it in the first quarter of 2025.
Although the council has supported cannabis licenses, it’s not without its critics. But Napolitani said that bringing in more revenue requires expanding potential streams, of which Napolitani is open to considering in addition to cannabis.
“If you come up with an idea that makes sense I’m all ears,” he said.
