HOWELL – The Planning Board has voted unanimously to approve amendments to the Parks, Recreation and Open Space element of Howell’s master plan.
The action was taken at the board’s Oct. 19 meeting. A master plan is a document that guides the growth and development of a municipality. The elements, or sections, of a master plan are generally reviewed every seven to 10 years and can be amended and revised by municipal officials.
There were several revisions proposed during the master plan review process. The most substantive proposal was in regard to re-establishing a recreation department in Howell.
Howell had a recreation department until 2011, when the department was eliminated in a budget move.
However, after additional consideration, officials said that in order to be more cost-effective, the revised recommendation will be to establish a recreation division within the Department of Public Works.
Board member Thomas Russo thanked the individuals who worked on the amendment.
“I want to thank the team that helped put this together. A lot of volunteer hours went into this. I want to thank the professionals who played a huge role in this. I think this is a great addition to the master plan, I am proud of it and excited to introduce it,” Russo said.
Deputy Mayor Robert Nicastro, who sits on the planning board, thanked the members of the board on behalf of the Township Council.
“I would like to thank the Planning Board subcommittee for this element. This document, although not policy, will help guide this Township Council and future councils on a very important aspect of this town, recreation and open space. I know it is near and dear to our hearts,” Nicastro said.
The board’s chairman, Paul Schneider, thanked the board’s past planner, Jennifer Beam, and its current planner, Malvika Apte, for their work on the master plan.
