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Freeholders Tackle Faded Signs; Abandoned Babies; Praise For MATES
By Bill McLaughlin
Having trouble reading the cross street signs as you travel the state's busy roads?
You're not alone.
Faded, illegible signage is plaguing motorists, especially on busy roads like Route 70 and Route 37 in central Ocean County.
The state Department of Transportation is aware of the problem and promises a remedy between now and the Memorial Day weekend, when traffic volume in these parts nearly doubles.
"Some signs on our streets have been a problem for some time. We had complaints as far back as a year ago," said Freeholder Jo- seph Vicari. "Now, NJDOT has promised to replace 11,000 signs (statewide) at a cost of $6 million."
Vicari said the signs are a safety concern, with people slowing at intersections to make sure they don't overshoot their destination.
In other county business, Ocean County Vo-Tech Schools Superintendent William P. Hoey told the freeholders Wednesday that a scholastic magazine has profiled the new MATES School in Stafford as a cutting edge approach to teaching the
environmental sciences.
Hoey said MATES is a "tree school," meaning it has environmental features in
"We were gradually build- ing staff and increasing flora and vegetation that reflects sensitivity to nature.
Freeholder John P. Kelly, an Eagleswood resident, said the outside may be attractive but he found the curriculum just as attractive.
"The program is as impressive as the building," Kelly said. "It's a (Grades) 9 through 12 marine and environmental science academy.
Next September, we'll have
63 kids - the first full class - start studying there."
Hoey said the MATES idea - and a separate performing arts academy at Navy Lakehurst - took root about six years ago. enrollment as we could," Hoey said.
Kelly told the board the specific emphasis schools are funded at $500 per student, a bargain when sending districts are asked for $12,000 to attend the Sandy Hook marine academy or $72,000 a year to send one student to the Cape May County marine school.
Graduates from the MATES program have gone on to Ivy League colleges and other major schools to study oceanography and other specialized environmental fields.
In other news, the county Department of Human Services and Community Medical Center will team up to join the Safe Haven state program beginning this month. The intent is to provide a place where young mothers who are unable to care for their newborns can leave the baby in safe hands and without repercussions.
Mothers would drop off infants to local police or hospital emergency rooms, Freeholder Gerry Little explained at the bi-weekly Ocean County Board of Chosen Freeholders preboard meeting Wednesday.
"The baby would be safe and put in a foster home," Little explained.
The public-private combination is applying for a $10,000 state grant that will help disseminate information on the program. Community's Center for Kids and Family will administer the program.
"This program is designed to help the very youngest among us to be placed in a safe environment by their parent anonymously and without fear of unrest," Little said.
Babies under 30 days old would be turned over to the state Division of Youth and Family Services which reaches out to pre-adoption or foster care homes.
High schools, county health and social service departments, community and church groups, public meeting areas and other educational training outlets will be asked to participate in the program.
The program is a response to recent state legislation aimed at preventing unwanted babies from being discarded by young, scared mothers unable to provide for their care.
For information, call 1-877-839-2339.
Finally, 14 towns will receive recycling grants from Ocean County ranging from $1,300 to $29,000, Freeholder James Lacey announced. In all, about $156,000 in grants to municipalities will be given out this year.
The aim, Lacey said, is to make recycling centers more convenient and safe.
Toms River received $29,375.50 to repave its entire recycling area as a way to make the site more user-friendly and Island Heights was awarded $23,000 for signs, lighting and one roll-off collection container.
Other large awards went to Berkeley who will get $17,500 toward the purchase of four 30 cubic yard roll off boxes and also to repave its recycling center, Beachwood is getting $12,278 for a 20-cubic-yard rolloff box and to pave its drop-off center and the access road.
Other awards went to Lacey, $15,000 for a forklift; Lakewood, $13,390 to repair and paint roll off boxes and buy five new ones; Seaside Park, $12,436.22 for lights and security cameras at its recycling center, and Bay Head, $10,000 for a storage shed for materials and equipment.
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