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Mayor Holds Impromptu Open Forum For Residents
By Bill McLaughlin
When U.S. Attorney Chris Christie was delayed by rain and fog in reaching the Leisure Village West Clubhouse for a speech to residents last Wednesday night, Mayor Michael Fressola stepped in until he arrived.
Fressola updated residents on issues affecting the township and took their questions. He said the proposed Lowe's merchandise store had all the necessary township approvals since 1992 and was only waiting for the corporate bosses to begin construction.
Then he added that the current economic climate, especially the stagnant housing market, might delay the project.
The store would be located in Manchester Plaza at the top of Colonial Drive.
As for Wal-Mart, the mayor expressed doubts. "It's still very much up in the air," he said. "DEP has asked the developers to do a regional snake study on that site."
Fressola said a large housing project has been approved for a Manahawkin site that had over 1,000 snakes in residence. They would be moved to allow the construction to begin.
A survey two years ago on the proposed Wal-Mart site, on the border between the township and Toms River, found just two male snakes on the property.
"It's not snakes holding it up," he said. "Well, snakes but not necessarily reptiles."
He urged everyone to write to the DEP and asked the audience with a show of hands who supported Wal-Mart. Nearly all raised their hands.
About 80 percent of the land for a municipal golf course is in the township's hands and the last large parcel, 80 acres on Route 571 just south of Route 547, is under negotiations, according to Fressola.
One resident rose to ask if seniors would get a break on the cost of a round.
"If I have my way," Fressola replied, "only seniors could play. You think I want some young kids hitting down on me when I shank one 100 yards?"
As for Route 70, he said, the state Department of Transportation (DOT) has no plans in place to dualize the roadway to Manchester.
"Intersections will be improved over a very long time," he told the crowd.
More than six months ago, Fressola and representatives of the county engineer's office and state DOT stood on Route 70 at the Beckerville Road cutoff. He said the proposal presented was this: Move the cutoff back one quarter mile and connect with the highway through state land. The county would provide the engineering expertise and Manchester would do the work.
"There are a tremendous number of accidents there," the mayor said. "Now, six to eight months later, nothing has been done."
Another traffic trouble spot, he said, is the intersection of Route 70 at Route 571 where a right turn sends motorists toward Toms River.
"Ninety-five percent ride the shoulder illegally - that'll cost you four points," the mayor said. He proposed painting a grid and hanging a sign preventing use of the shoulder.
Fressola eventually turned the microphone over to Ocean County Freeholder Gerry Little, who spoke on corruption of government officials in the state and pledged that county government was honestly run.
Little mentioned the 1980s corruption in Manchester, where upwards of $500 million was looted from the treasury.
"That's still the record for New Jersey," Fressola said. "We're not happy or proud of it, but the record is ours."
Little replied, "(The cost) pales in comparison to the toll it takes in our hearts."
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