JACKSON – The Jackson Township Council has adopted two bond ordinances providing for capital improvements throughout the municipality.
Council President Ken Bressi, Vice President Rob Nixon and council members Barry Calogero, Scott Martin and Ann Updegrave voted to adopt the ordinances at the Sept. 11 meeting.
The first bond ordinance provides for capital improvements and the acquisition of capital equipment. The council will appropriate $507,960 and authorize the issuance of $483,771 in bonds to finance the costs. The council will provide a $24,189 down payment.
The improvements consist of the acquisition of a Senior Center mini-van/bus; the acquisition and outfitting of three new police vehicles; the planning and engineering of potable water tank repair and recoating; the planning and engineering of a variable message sign board; various park improvements; various municipal building improvements; Department of Public Works (DPW) emergency road repairs; and the acquisition of a Tink claw for the DPW.
The second bond ordinance provides for road, drainage and sidewalk improvements. The council will appropriate $1.625 million and authorize the issuance of $1.625 million in bonds to finance the costs.
Township Engineer Dan Burke will compile a list of roads/sidewalks to be recommended for improvements. Typically this is done in conjunction with state Department of Transportation funding, according to municipal officials.
In other business, the council adopted an ordinance authorizing the private sale of township land that is not needed for public use. The 2.67-acre property at the corner of Toms River and Hangar roads was sold for $30,000 to Albert and Denise Plungis, who own a neighboring property.
Resident Denise Garner asked for an explanation of the ordinance.
“What is this property and what is the purpose of (the council) authorizing this public sale?” Garner said.
Township Attorney Jean Cipriani said the property being sold is an empty, non-buildable lot and when the neighbors were attempting to sell their property some of their improvements extended onto the lot in question.
“The township had no use for this … it is not a conforming lot. There was an appraisal done, fair market value was determined and they are paying fair market value,” Cipriani said.
Garner asked if the residents would have to rezone the property. Cipriani said the area was already zoned residential and said the purchasers are just adding to their existing lot.
