The Middle Road, 2/3/06
By Rich Kohler
Many Republicans in Monmouth County would probably rather forget the year 2005. However, behind the scandals, the headlines, and the name-calling, it is apparent that the Hazlet Republican leadership has quietly taken giant steps to move the township in a positive direction.
Last year, Mayor Michael Sachs put to rest one of the most contentious subjects in recent township politics. This summer, without jeopardizing our library or any other vital services, our township will have a new town hall in Veterans Park. Although a group of citizens objected to its location, Mayor Sachs addressed, but did not bow to the political or public pressure, and he stuck by his guns to get the project started.
Deputy Mayor Scott Aagre, a professional architect, has been diligent in supervising nearly every aspect of the town hall project, even going as far as posting photos and progress reports from the engineers on the township’s website, hazlettwp.org. As of mid January, Deputy Mayor Aagre reports the construction is “on time and under budget”.
As a candidate in 2003 and as a long-term member of the planning board, Mr. Aagre saw a need for a comprehensive review of the Development Review Ordinance (DRO) of the township’s master plan, an important step in responsible management of the land-use in Hazlet. With the help of its chairperson, Christopher Cavanaugh, the planning board recently completed this project, and the DRO is now completely up-to-date.
Also during his campaign, Mr. Aagre advocated for a plan to examine the possibilities of developing the long-vacant Bradlees/Foodtown site and the adjoining empty lots. The Township Committee is currently looking at hiring a certified planner to investigate viable solutions for eliminating the eyesore of the empty stores, and to help turn the land into a properly planned, tax revenue-generating asset.
For some time, many residents have complained about cars speeding through our residential neighborhoods. Early in his term, Committeeman Aagre initiated a township-wide “Drive 25, Keep Kids Alive” program. The township will soon introduce a long overdue ordinance to change the speed limit on all township roads to 25 miles per hour.
Both Mr. Sachs and Mr. Aagre have long recognized the need to preserve Hazlet’s remaining open space at minimal cost to the taxpayer. Along with former Republican candidate, Ric Medrow, former Deputy Mayor Tracey Maffiore, and a dedicated group of residents, the township is working to preserve a greenway along the Waackaack Creek, which flows along the township’s eastern boarder. With the help of the NY/NJ Baykeeper, Friends of Holmdel Open Space, and the Monmouth Conservation Foundation, Hazlet is working with neighboring townships to preserve contiguous parcels of land along this estuary by searching out grants and other funding, and by supporting legislation to limit development along the greenway.
Michael Sachs is serving a second consecutive term as mayor. The Township Committee unanimously selected Scott Aagre to be deputy mayor. With the addition of Democrats Kevin Lavan and Jim DiNardo to the committee, both parties have an opportunity to work together for the responsible management and continued improvement of the quality of life in Hazlet.
Throughout 2005, while the local news, gossip, and opinion (including this column) focused on a few Hazlet politicians who only seemed interested in maintaining and exerting their power, the people who are interested in serving their community have been hard at work doing just that.
Rich Kohler is a life-long resident of Hazlet. Please send comments to richkohler@comcast.net.
By Rich Kohler
Many Republicans in Monmouth County would probably rather forget the year 2005. However, behind the scandals, the headlines, and the name-calling, it is apparent that the Hazlet Republican leadership has quietly taken giant steps to move the township in a positive direction.
Last year, Mayor Michael Sachs put to rest one of the most contentious subjects in recent township politics. This summer, without jeopardizing our library or any other vital services, our township will have a new town hall in Veterans Park. Although a group of citizens objected to its location, Mayor Sachs addressed, but did not bow to the political or public pressure, and he stuck by his guns to get the project started.
Deputy Mayor Scott Aagre, a professional architect, has been diligent in supervising nearly every aspect of the town hall project, even going as far as posting photos and progress reports from the engineers on the township’s website, hazlettwp.org. As of mid January, Deputy Mayor Aagre reports the construction is “on time and under budget”.
As a candidate in 2003 and as a long-term member of the planning board, Mr. Aagre saw a need for a comprehensive review of the Development Review Ordinance (DRO) of the township’s master plan, an important step in responsible management of the land-use in Hazlet. With the help of its chairperson, Christopher Cavanaugh, the planning board recently completed this project, and the DRO is now completely up-to-date.
Also during his campaign, Mr. Aagre advocated for a plan to examine the possibilities of developing the long-vacant Bradlees/Foodtown site and the adjoining empty lots. The Township Committee is currently looking at hiring a certified planner to investigate viable solutions for eliminating the eyesore of the empty stores, and to help turn the land into a properly planned, tax revenue-generating asset.
For some time, many residents have complained about cars speeding through our residential neighborhoods. Early in his term, Committeeman Aagre initiated a township-wide “Drive 25, Keep Kids Alive” program. The township will soon introduce a long overdue ordinance to change the speed limit on all township roads to 25 miles per hour.
Both Mr. Sachs and Mr. Aagre have long recognized the need to preserve Hazlet’s remaining open space at minimal cost to the taxpayer. Along with former Republican candidate, Ric Medrow, former Deputy Mayor Tracey Maffiore, and a dedicated group of residents, the township is working to preserve a greenway along the Waackaack Creek, which flows along the township’s eastern boarder. With the help of the NY/NJ Baykeeper, Friends of Holmdel Open Space, and the Monmouth Conservation Foundation, Hazlet is working with neighboring townships to preserve contiguous parcels of land along this estuary by searching out grants and other funding, and by supporting legislation to limit development along the greenway.
Michael Sachs is serving a second consecutive term as mayor. The Township Committee unanimously selected Scott Aagre to be deputy mayor. With the addition of Democrats Kevin Lavan and Jim DiNardo to the committee, both parties have an opportunity to work together for the responsible management and continued improvement of the quality of life in Hazlet.
Throughout 2005, while the local news, gossip, and opinion (including this column) focused on a few Hazlet politicians who only seemed interested in maintaining and exerting their power, the people who are interested in serving their community have been hard at work doing just that.
Rich Kohler is a life-long resident of Hazlet. Please send comments to richkohler@comcast.net.
posted by Rich Kohler at 9:02 AM
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