By Michael Benavides
Staff Writer
PLUMSTED – A municipal initiative that will put the health of residents on the front burner has been authorized by the Township Committee, which has established the Mayor’s Wellness Campaign Committee.
The Mayor’s Wellness Campaign Committee consists of Mayor Jack Trotta, James Tillet and Sharon Gower.
According to a resolution the committee passed on Feb. 1, the Mayor’s Wellness Campaign is a statewide community health initiative conducted in partnership with the New Jersey League of Municipalities.
Trotta said the goal of the Mayor’s Wellness Campaign is to help residents become healthier.
“We will be organizing walks and we are teaming up with CentraState Medical Center in Freehold Township so they can provide health screenings and health information to our residents,” Trotta said.
The Mayor’s Wellness Campaign gives municipal officials tools and strategies to champion healthy eating and to improve the overall health of the community, according to the resolution.
The initiative was developed by the New Jersey Healthcare Quality Institute, Princeton. According to its website, “The (institute) is the only independent, nonpartisan, multi-stakeholder advocate for healthcare quality in New Jersey. We are committed to improving healthcare quality and safety, expanding access to good care, and controlling costs for employers and consumers.”
In other business at the governing body’s Feb. 1 meeting, committee members passed a resolution authorizing the township clerk to advertise for bids for the state Department of Transportation’s Municipal Aid Grant Road Program for planned improvements to Brynmore Road.
And, officials passed a resolution recognizing the township, Ocean County and the state for support which they said resulted in the siting of new aircraft at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, portions of which are in Plumsted.
The U.S. Air Force recently selected the base to host the next generation KC-46 refueling tankers, according to Congressman Chris Smith (R-NJ).
According to the resolution, the mayor and Township Committee will work closely with the Air Force during the preparation of an environmental impact statement to provide the most accurate and detailed information available for assessment and evaluation.
The next committee meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. March 1 at the municipal building on Evergreen Road.
