Mayor and Council, one more time, failed to act on the proposed cannabis ordinance blaming the inability on a technicality before also citing they have not made any decisions on recommendations from the planning board for the ordinance.
A stand room only crowd packed Borough Hall for a busy agenda Thursday night, but a revised agenda late in the afternoon noted the ordinance 09-2022 was tabled to a future meeting.
The technicality, which was corrected at last night’s meeting, was the lack of an official record on the introduction of the ordinance in June. The ordinance was introduced June 9 and all council members were present, voting 4-1 with one abstention. However, in approving those minutes at the next meeting no member of council noticed or corrected the fact these actions were not even mentioned, let alone the vote transcribed in the official minutes.
However, Councilman Jon O’Crowley said later in the meeting council could not have acted anyway inasmuch as the planning board had made several recommendations, a statement true only if Council made a decision to adopt any of those recommendations.
There was no indication at last night’s meeting whether council had reviewed the suggestions set up by a planning board subcommittee and forwarded by the planning board last week.
Without a public hearing and the demise of this ordinance, nearly two dozen residents still spoke on cannabis businesses in the borough some for and some opposed to adoption of any ordinance which would permit both the manufacture and retail sale of cannabis.
Two real estate professionals opposed cannabis business on the grounds statistics they cited showed they would result in depreciation of property value. Others said the income produced by businesses would be offset by higher costs necessary for police, public works and other costs; others objected on the grounds the community is too small, any location would be too close to the elementary school, they would draw crowds that would “hang around,” or would encourage more theft since cannabis is largely a cash business.
Speakers in favor of stores and manufacturing offered other statistics showing monetary benefits to towns that permit the business, medical marijuana would be more easily accessible for those in need, health issues are more important than land values, and thefts would not increase since these businesses would be required to have security personnel on premises.
“You have a special town here,” one new resident said, saying he did not want to see any changes in what drew him here with his family.
Mark Fisher, a frequent voice during public portions of the meeting, suggested several changes the council should consider when they write and introduce a new ordinance, pointing to areas the planning board did not address in addition to the recommendations they did make to be considered. He pointed out the planning board did not address signage, specifications on odor emanations, specifics on security cameras, and a clarification on whether persons under 21 years of age are permitted other areas of a mixed use building if cannabis is a permitted use in one portion of it.
Fisher also quoted Councilwoman Lori Hohenleitner’s comments from a previous meeting where she indicated there are elected officials in the borough that consume cannabis products and asked her to identify them. Kira S. Dabby, a lawyer with the Archer Law group in Red Bank with borough attorney Jason Sena, was present at the meeting in Sena’s absence, and advised those on the Council not to respond to the question. Fisher had quoted Hohenleitner as saying her concern was “what is the reasoning behind people being against it? Is it because people don’t want to have to be on-record as consuming these products?” The Council-Woman in saying “people” was referring to a fellow council-members or multiple fellow council-members.
In spite of governing officials and paid attorneys working out a funding formula agreement agreeable to all three boroughs, the Atlantic Highlands Mayor and Council once again unanimously thwarted action to have the question put on the November ballot by declining to approve the necessary resolution at last night’s council meeting.
In a meeting that started with well-earned praise, thanks, and admiration for the police department, borough employees, and numerous volunteers in both the fire department and first aid squad, council members then individually admitted they simply approved minutes without checking them for accuracy on the cannabis ordinance issue and pulled three of eight resolutions from their consent agenda for further discussion, including the one which would have insured the regionalization question would be on the November ballot.
Administrator Robert Ferragina indicated there was a request from the attorney for the school board to review the funding formula agreement in the proposed ballot question. Council members complained they had only received the information at 10:30 that morning and agreed to hold it and set a special meeting for next week to take the action necessary to have the question on the November ballot. However, no date was set for that meeting.
Council members and Mayor Loretta Gluckstein all indicated they feel there is still time to have the question on the November ballot, however, the resolution asks the Commissioner of Education to approve the question on that ballot “or as soon thereafter as may be authorized….”
After failing to act on the resolution in order to give the Henry Hudson Regional attorney an opportunity to review the formula agreed upon by the joint committee set up by the three boroughs, Tracey Abby-White, who headed the regionalization study committee appointed by Mayor Gluckstein, questioned why the agreement which sets the allocation terms for providing funds for education from each involved borough, which is a municipal function as opposed to a board of education function, should delay the council action. Abby-White indicated that once she heard the committee had come to an equitable agreement in all three boroughs as to the funding agreement, the only question to be finalized, she fully expected action be taken at the meeting.
Highlands Mayor Carolyn Broullon appeared via ZOOM at the Atlantic Highlands meeting and chided the elected officials for failing to take action and assuring them that at their meetings next week both Highlands and Sea Bright are approving the similar resolution unanimously that each town has to pass to get the question on the ballot.
The ballot question for Atlantic Highlands, as designed and approved by the financial team set up by the mayors of both towns specifically for that purpose, asks
“Shall the Boards of Education of the Highlands School District, Atlantic Highlands School District and Henry Hudson Regional School District join together to convert Henry Hudson Regional into an all-purpose PK-12 regional school district which the annual and special appropriations for such a two-constituent PK-12 regional school district to be apportioned upon he following basis: 80% on each municipality’s equalized valuation allocated to the regional district as provided by state law and 20 percent on the proportional number of pupils enrolled from each municipality on the 15th day of October of the prebudget year, and
Upon conversion of Henry Hudson int a PK-12 regional district, shall the PK-12 regional school district include the Borough of Sea Bright as a constituent member, upon approval by the Commissioner of Education of its withdrawal from Oceanport and Shore Regional School districts, and approval by the voters of Sea Bright to join the Henry Hudson PK-12 Reginal School with the annual and special appropriations for the newly expanded three-constitution PK-12 regional school district to be apportioned upon the following basis: 12 per cent on each municipality’s equalized valuations allocated to the regional district as provided by state law, and 88 percent on the proportional number of pupils enrolled from each municipality on the 15th day of October of the prebudget year.”
Although the question on the ballot is strictly a council, not a board of education decision, the Atlantic Highlands Council nonetheless agreed to hold up action on the resolution, with some indicating since they only received at 10:30 yesterday morning they wanted time to review it..
Mayor Broullon confirmed both towns received the agreement on the funding formula late Wednesday afternoon, and she immediately sent it to her council members, so they could read and review by 5 p.m. Wednesday evening.
Regardless of whether she’s one of your favorite mayors, one you don’t like, or one on whom you don’t have any opinion, there’s one think you have to give to Highlands Mayor Carolyn Broullon. She gets things done. She gets them done her way, and without a lot of fuss or fanfare, and many times without any public notice of it at all.
You remember the June Gay Pride Month recognition issues… Atlantic Highlands brought it up at a meeting, passed a resolution or took some action, and had a big discussion on flags in front of borough hall for a month. But they said they couldn’t paint any part of First Avenue because it was a county road.
Sea Bright said they couldn’t do anything because Ocean Avenue is a state highway and they would have to seek permission.
Highlands? They didn’t say anything at all about it, they simply painted the crosswalk on Waterwitch avenue, which is a county road at that point, without any talk. They even painted it during the day, closing the road to traffic until it was finished.
Certainly not saying this is the right way to do business, but it is the way to get business done. The mayor’s adage may be, for simple temporary things like this….better to see forgiveness than permission, a creative proverb you often see military using.
Then there was last night at the Atlantic Highlands Councill meeting. The Highlands mayor was on the ZOOM call, waiting to hear the regionalization question be approved. She had worked hard on it in her town, had spent a lot of time with the other mayors, administrators and money folks, and was anxious to be sure everything went the way they all thought it would. But when it didn’t … and the neighboring council took the resolution off the agenda for voting, she let them know right away the other two towns would be taking action. When questioned about it later, she also had all her times and dates down to the minute including when all the towns received the formula they were all waiting on. It was Wednesday afternoon, and she gave it to her council minutes later.
So …I’m sure she is really wondering how come the Atlantic Highlands folks did not get it until 10:30 the next morning.
That isn’t to say Atlantic Highlands will not get it done in time. They still can, if they have this special meeting to take action and if they do it fairly quickly. Doesn’t do any good if they approve the resolution but oops, it’s too late to meet the deadline to have it printed on the ballot. The resolution does say to have a referendum on the November ballot “or as soon thereafter…”
Atlantic Highlands did lots of things right at their meeting, however, including Lance Hubeny giving so many accolades to so many wonderful volunteers and police officers for so many different reasons. Praising Ed Citron for his years of service to the First Aid was met with great applause and appreciation from the crowded courtroom, as was recognition of the amazing three police officers who saved a resident’s life this week. And naming Beth Merkel the Employee of the Month in this wonderful new program the borough is doing is another well-deserved honor. It’s terrific that this mayor and council recognize all the wonderful employees and volunteers that don’t sit back, ponder, or form committees, they just get out and do somethings for the residents.
Have to agree with the Police Chief who declines to give any opinion on whether cannabis is good, bad or indifferent for the borough. His response is absolutely correct: it’s the duty of the police department to be committed to enforcing the laws that are passed, not make them or have official opinions on them. And this department does just that.
For those who did not stay long enough to hear all the speakers during the public portion, it was interesting to hear that the Tree of Heaven is a favorite breeding and resting spot for the dreaded Spotted Lanternfly. It’s a rather pretty medium size tree, officially an Ailanthus Altissima, but it’s known by less attractive names as well, including Stinking Sumac or Stink tree because of the odor it exudes. And in case you did not know it, it’s invasive…and comes from China..
Prayers and sympathy to the entire Hartsgrove family as well as to the borough of Highlands on the passing of Florence Hartsgrove Gauthier, the oldest native of Highlands and the matriarch of one of the many families who made this town the wonderful place it is.
The Hartsgrove family has suffered many health issues and family deaths in the past year, and yet continue to all be an example of endurance, perseverance and strength.
When I published The ABCs of Highlands, a book about some of the many people who he made a difference in this community, I asked Mrs. Gauthier if she would write a forward for it. She did, pointing that that while “Muriel Smith though not a native, has a love and appreciation for our hometown…” a phrase that showed the pride in growing up here. She recalled that her stories “bring happy memories of what life in Highlands was truly like. Highlands has changed with the times, but it will always provide happy memories for those lucky enough to grow up here.”
Personal thanks to Florence Hartsgrove Gauthier for being one of those natives who made bringing up a family here a place of happy memories.
No vote because of a technicality. That’s the subject line on an e-mail apparently sent to numerous residents last night explaining that the cannabis ordinance will not be acted on at tonight’s council meeting.
The e-mail is apparently from Councilman James Murphy and Deborah Appello, the Board of Education member who with Murphy spearheaded a movement to have people attend the meeting to oppose cannabis. It was signed “Jim and Deb and gave a phone number to call, with a message not to respond to the email.
The e-mail blames the cancellation of the ordinance action on a technicality, but does not mention that the governing body, including Councilman Murphy approved those minutes when the “technicality” in a unanimous vote.
The e-mail, together with its notation that the Mayor and Council was advised last night they could not act tonight, shows a complete lack of class, consideration, respect for a resident’s concern and total disregard for professionalism, not only on the part of the borough council, but the administrator as well, unless he had been directed specifically not to let the resident, who also happens to write a blog, know action will not be taken.
This resident did not receive a copy of the e-mail. Nor did she receive any notice from the governing body that this “technicality” is causing this all important ordinance not to be voted upon.
And why should she have been notified? Because this resident, this concerned citizen, this newspaper reporter who likes to be accurate and factual in all her stories, found the “technicality” and immediately reported it to the administrator.
That deserves the courtesy, if not the obligation. for a response.
As of this post, the agenda on the borough’s official website still announces there will be a public hearing and final action taken on 09-2022, the “cannabis” ordinance. But earlier this week, this writer, a resident of Atlantic Highlands, wondered about the legality of an ordinance when there is no evidence in official minutes of meetings of the Mayor and Council that it was ever introduced.
Bringing that concern to the borough administrator resulted in an assurance it would be investigated and the administrator would get back to the visitor with information when received.
That still hasn’t happened.
Omitting an ordinance introduction in official minutes is not something to cast doubt on an efficient municipal staff. Indeed, this borough has some of the finest and most dedicated workers in the entire state. They are professional, hardworking, know their jobs, are open with all information and can either answer every question posed to them or let you know where you can get it.
The relatively new borough administrator has done a terrific job in taking on all his new responsibilities with great diligence, enthusiasm and smarts, especially as it happens to be a time when several major things are happening in Atlantic Highlands.
The borough clerk has long since demonstrated how pretty near perfect she always is.
So omitting something this important from minutes, or not reporting back to a questioner on how it could happen certainly do not appear to be ‘mistakes’ or ‘errors’ on the part of employees.
For the e-mail from Jim and Deb to blame the change in tonight’s meeting on a “technicality” when Councilman Murphy, together with every other member of council, voted to approve the minutes that avoided any mention of the cannabis ordinance is more than a technicality.
Is it criminal?
It is laziness?
Is it inattention to duty?
Or is it hiding something else for some other reason?
More frightening and concerning is the apparent lack of care or concern for so many things in this particular ordinance.
Cannabis businesses in town is a major issue, one of real interest to an awful lot of people. That’s been proven in the number of times people in favor of cannabis have spoken up at meetings, eloquent and loaded with statistics; it’s been proven by last week’s meeting of
dozens of people who formed an ad hoc committee to fight it.
It’s evident in the number of signs calling for attendance at tonight’s meeting to talk about it and the reportedly thousands of signatures on petitions against it..
Indeed, something new, different and to some, highly controversial is a matter of grave importance to any town, but especially a small town like Atlantic Highlands where you’re as apt to sit with a council-member in church as you are to enjoy a beer with one at any bar in town.
Yet, already, look at the number of mistakes this governing body has made with an ordinance that will impact the community for decades.
1. Introduction at an official meeting: not included in the minutes.
2. Those minutes, without the ordinance being mentioned, approved by unanimous vote.
3. Setting a public hearing on the ordinance before getting the necessary full report from the Planning Board.
4. Continuing’ that action without even starting it at a meeting where residents clearly wanted to be heard.
5. Continuing that action to a future meeting, but never mentioning the time or date for the continuance.
These are the primary ‘problems’ with the issue of whether shops selling cannabis or businesses manufacturing it should or should not be allowed in Atlantic Highlands.
Should not something of this importance be given more attention by our elected officials before money is spent and actions taken?
OR Is there a more extraordinary explanation as to how this many mistakes can be made on a single proposed ordinance?
Atlantic Highlands deserves better
For those who are interested in the e-mail from Jim and Deb, it was dated
yesterday and it reads:
Hello All, Today, M&C received notification that the vote is not able to happen at tomorrownight’s meeting. As I am sure I do not need to say this to all of you, this is INCREDIBLY disappointing. Due to a clerical error and technicality, M&C is required to amend the ordinance and re-introduce it at a later meeting, sometime in September. Fight as we may, there is nothing we can do about this delay.
Many of you have been working diligently to gain support for this effort and raise awareness within our community, that hard work has not been for nothing and is being noticed. We will all continue to fight to protect our community, this month… next month, and every chance we get thereafter!
All are still welcome to attend tomorrow night and speak their mind, understanding that all will now need to make sure they are at the next meeting where it counts. We will be sure to keep everyone informed on changes moving forward and let everyone of you know when the next opportunity will be for this vote.
The fight continues, more time … more signatures, more awareness, and more work. Do not give up hope or lose steam in the coming weeks ahead. Take this time to speak with more people, do more research and be prepared with more facts to present. I believe in my heart, we will win in the end and make sure all know this is not what the community as a whole wants for AH now, nor in the future.
PLEASE DO NOT REPLY TO THIS EMAIL, but if interested in discussing, CALL me on my cell number below. Thank you, EVERYONE… AND God Bless!
Statistics prove and physicians agree that walking 30 minutes a day improves a person’s health in more than the usually announced ways. I don’t know about 30 minutes a day, but adding a trip to and from church two-thirds of a mile away four times a week, is definitely a distinct health benefit.
The tips I learned are well worth repeating.
Living in a garage apartment directly across from the church made it easy for me to get up at 6:30 and be at 7 a.m. mass weekdays in plenty of time. In fact, it was so easy, it would make me feel guilty if I missed my four times a week visit across the street.
When I was forced to move before spring began, I knew I wanted to stay in the same area, certainly within walking distance of places I had been visiting, and realizing it would take some hunting but would be possible to find an apartment that met all my needs. So when a friend saw a For Rent sign on an apartment five or six blocks from church, I quickly went to visit, loved it, and made all the arrangements to move in in April, or as soon thereafter as it was available.
The eight minute walk from my new residence to church came as a bonus I had not expected. (Actually five minutes, if I am running late.)
Checking with my physician, I learned that walking is considered a low-impact form of cardiovascular exercise, a great way to continue excellent health after a stroke, and what’s more, also gives mental and emotional health benefits.
All that I learned on my own as well, and since walking is probably the easiest exercise to do, it was easy to do it consistently. Hence the value of going to mass four times a week at St. Agnes. I quickly got in the habit of that morning walk to and from church; the consistency of that has already resulted in lower blood pressure, loss of weight, and yes, I believe, a better outlook at the start of day.
My doctor agreed. Making walking a part of a daily routine, and sticking with it, are the first steps to better health.
One of the benefits of walking is an appreciation of the neighborhood; it’s a chance to say Good Morning to people passing, and a chance to pet dogs on leash who are also out for their morning walk. It is a distinct pleasure to carry a few dog biscuits with me so I can give, with their owner’s permission, a morning treat to the passing canines. And it wasn’t
long before they started recognizing me and coming eagerly toward me for a pet and a biscuit. That’s a great way to start a day.
They estimate walking 30 minutes each day can actually lower the risk of heart disease, reducing the risk of stroke by a 35 percent. Nor does that 30 minutes all have to be at one time. There are numerous ways to make it a part of your schedule.
A few easy tips to increase more walking without realizing it:
Have to go to the store? Take the parking place further away from the market. It’s only a short walk across the parking lot, but it all counts and only takes a few minutes longer. Walk up and down the aisles in the food market, even though you don’t need something in a particular aisle. You might see something new you’d like to try, but you’re getting more
walking activity in nonetheless.
Vacuuming the house? Make a game of it instead of work. Use a bit more energy in pushing that vacuum around, and congratulate yourself for being able to do two things at one…exercise and house clean. Bet your cholesterol level and heart will both profit from it.
Talking on the telephone? Get up from that cozy chair and walk around. Do the same thing during that ad on television you hate to watch anyway. Quit carrying a lazy man’s load Making two trips doubles the number of steps you take in a day. Visiting friends in an apartment complex? Take the steps instead of the elevator. Friends on the 5th floor or above? Take the steps one or two floors, and pick up the elevator for the rest. Have visiting grandchildren? Go out and play with them. Push them on the swing, walk around the bleachers if you’re there for a Pop Warner or Little League game.
These are all small ways, each is effective on its own, adding a few makes it even more effective, and it all adds up to a healthier, happier life.
There’s a lot of research that shows walking reduces stress, but that’s proven through simple things like petting a dog, admiring flowers in a yard, noticing the squirrels skittering along the power lines and listening to the birds. It all releases endorphins that feel-good chemical that makes you want to laugh and feel better. They say it also increases pain
tolerance, and gives a mild runner’s high.
There are other studies that show walking also aids in fighting some types of diabetes. Those who walk regularly had shown a third lower percentage of developing type 2 diabetes, since walking helps control low blood sugar. Walking more, or walking more briskly offers even more benefits.
Then there are the walking benefits that boost the body’s immune function, meaning you’re more apt to fight bugs and diseases that are in the air. Then of course with breathing a bit heavier for a few minutes on a regular basis helps flush some of that bacteria out of lungs and airspace, eliminating changes of getting colds or flu viruses.
It appears every Council member may owe the residents an apology and an explanation as to why official minutes of their council meetings have never shown when and by what vote the introduction of the cannabis ordinance was first proposed by the governing body.
Council members may also want to explain why they all approved the official
minutes of that meeting when the ordinance was proposed even though those minutes did not include any reference to the ordinance that is on the agenda for public hearing
and possible adoption Thursday night.
A record crowd is anticipated to show up at Thursday’s meeting for the public hearing on 09-2022, the ordinance which, if approved, would spell out the rules and regulations which would be in place for any cannabis manufacturing or sales business in the borough for cannabis.
The very first step in making new laws, its introduction and vote at a public meeting, does not even appear in the official minutes of any meeting of the Mayor and Council for the cannabis ordinance. Nor is there any indication in any official minutes of how council members voted on the introduction.
What’s worse, all six borough council members unanimously approved the minutes at which the introduction took place at their next meeting, in spite of the fact it was never even mentioned in the minutes they approved. Votes were taken on the proposed code and money was spent to advertise it. But the official minutes they approved unanimously don’t even mention anything about the ordinance.
Whether Council can justify how the cannabis ordinance was introduced and
voted on but not included in the minutes, or how council could unanimously
approve the minutes absent any mention of the ordinance are questions that
might be answered Thursday before council takes any further action on what is
probably the most controversial ordinance to be introduced by the governing
body in years, if not decades … remains to be seen.
When Borough Administrator Robert Ferragina was alerted to the fact the official minutes do not show if, when and how the ordinance was introduced, he immediately promised his own attention to the query as well as referring the matter to the borough attorney, Jason Sena, for his information and input. He also indicated he would report back to the questioner as soon as he had anything to report, including his own verification the facts as presented to him were accurate.
As of this printing, there has been no response since it was brought to his attention.
With signs popping up throughout the borough urging people to attend Thursday’s meeting to have their voices heard, and with petitions being circulated and drawing thousands of signatures opposing cannabis, it is difficult to see how Thursday’s action on the ordinance spelling out restrictions for any cannabis business permitted either for sale or manufacture will be acted on without all questions about its introduction being answered first.
In reviewing the history of the proposed ordinance, VeniVidiScripto.com
referred to the official approved minutes of the meeting in which it was introduced as posted on the borough’s official website, ahnj.com. The minutes for the June 9 meeting, while the agenda lists the introduction of 9-2022, make no reference to the ordinance at all.
The recording of that same meeting makes it clear action was taken and the ordinance was introduced. But the minutes do not even indicate it was a matter of discussion, let alone a vote, in spite of the agenda promising otherwise.
The cannabis ordinance introduced that night was written to include definitions for new terms and the licensing and taxation of cannabis facilities. The public hearing on the proposed code that would spell out locations and types of cannabis businesses allowed in the borough was set July 14.
Residents may also want to ask themselves whether they should have been more attentive to borough business before holding meetings to circulate petitions and having signs made. Were it not for a lack of communication, a glitch somewhere, or simply action without having proper advice, the cannabis ordinance that is expected to draw overflowing crowds opposing its passage Thursday could already have been acted on with very few people attending the meeting or commenting on it if they were present.
You cannot even credit or blame the planning board for the delay, regardless on which side you are on when it comes to marijuana businesses in town. Still, it would seem the Council members voting on any ordinance without including it in the official minutes would put the governing body in a unique position.
After the ordinance introduction in June which is not included in any minutes, the public hearing and final action was set for the July 14 meeting. Conceivably, that’s the first time the residents got to know what the governing body had in mind for cannabis businesses in town. News of the meeting and its actions were on the media and the proposed ordinance was advertised in the local newspapers.
In June, though not included in the minutes, four members of the governing body voted to introduce the ordinance and set the public hearing for the following month.
Councilman John Murphy opposed it, indicating he did not want any cannabis business in the borough to even be considered. Councilman Brian Boms abstained from voting, citing a business deal he felt put him in a conflict of interest if he voted. Councilman Steve Boracchia and the three Democrats on council, Lori Hohenleitner, Jon Crowley and Brian Dougherty, voted in favor of the code’s introduction. Mayor Loretta Gluckstein only votes in cases of ties so did not have any input on the proposed ordinance. There were no objections or comments during the public portion of the meeting.
Once the ordinance was duly advertised, talked about in newspaper articles and blog, the public hearing was set for July 21. Ironically, the same evening council unanimously approved a resolution declaring Wednesday, Aug. 31, International Overdose Awareness Day.
The proposed code had already been to the planning board; they acted on it at their July 7 meeting and they found it was consistent with the borough‘s Master Plan. There were no residents at that meeting to oppose anything about the code or to give any input in what should be included in it, should cannabis be a permitted use.
But at that time the planners also said that while it was in conformance with the Master Plan, they were going to set up a subcommittee and would make recommendations on the proposed code for the governing body. Their recommendations could only deal with visuals within borough areas, without any input on any opinions of a business that is consistent with the Master Plan.
Martin Hawley introduced the motion seconded by Michael Goldrick on the conformance
with the Plan and the idea of recommendations after a subcommittee was formed.
Given that information, on the evening of the advertised public hearing, July 14, borough attorney Sena pointed out the council had missed a step.
Since the planning board members had indicated they would have recommendations, he suggested the public hearing be delayed until council got those recommendations. He explained the Planning Board’s consistency review was not complete since they had mentioned they had formed a subcommittee to provide the council with recommendations.
There was some discussion among council at that July 14 meeting on what to do about the hearing, with all members eventually agreeing it should be held.
Murphy, who opposed the introduction, approved the public hearing, and Boms,who had recused himself from the introduction, said his conflict no longer existed and Sena approved his right to vote.
After more discussion on July 14, Crowley offered a second motion to continue the hearing, seconded by Dougherty and again unanimously approved.
While continuing a public hearing is generally understood it would continue at presumably the next meeting, no date was suggested or included in the motion approved by all members of council.
After voting to continue the hearing, the governing body did not open the hearing to anyone present at the July 14, meeting. There was a small group of residents at the meeting, however, and several said they wanted to express their views on cannabis anyway.
So they did, during the public portion at the end of the meeting when comments on any subject can be made, and several residents did speak. Of them, 13 people mentioned cannabis: four spoke in favor of it, seven spoke against it, one said he hoped he didn’t have to hear it was going to be cancelled yet again in August and one questioned a definition of who could enter a building wherecannabis is sold.
And that’s how the public hearing on an ordinance which is not even included in the official minutes of a meeting and which was not advertised since, got to be scheduled for Aug. 11.
The Atlantic Highlands Historical Society recently added a 19th century sitting chair to its collection of historic items, thanks to the generosity of descendants of a well-known family from the area from the 1800s.
David Springsteen of Ohio and his sister, Suzanne Springsteen of Coatesville, Pa., presented the wooden and woven seated chair to the Society in brief ceremonies Sunday. Accepting the chair for the Society were Joanne Dellosso and Patty McBurnie-Bickauskas
The Springsteen siblings have many family connections in the area, and spent the day visiting and learning more about some of their heritage.
At the Strauss House, they explained that the chair was once in the house at 55 Ave D., currently in use as the Saint Agnes Thrift Shop.
The house was built by Captain James and Emma Leonard, whose daughter Mary, married Jonathan T. Stout, a well-known landscape contractor in Monmouth County, responsible for laying out numerous gardens in the area. They are the grandparents of the present day donors.
In addition to the Ave D. house connection, the Springsteen’s also told society members the story of their mother Suzanne and her sister Bessie, whose father was a wireless operator at the Twin Lights. The girls were twins sisters and there were stories in local newspapers about the twins who lived at the Twin Lights when they lived at the telegraph building on the property.
Another part of the Springsteens lineage gives them several connections in Freehold, where Pvt. James Fallon was a Medal of Honor recipient after the Civil War. In the 21st century, that makes these siblings relatives of Bruce Springsteen as well as Glenn Cashion, a local author and members of the Monmouth County Historical Commission.
While in Atlantic Highlands for the presentation, the Springsteeens also met with the Rev. Jarlath Quinn of Sts. Agnes Church and toured the former family home, now the Thrift Shop, as well as meeting with Nick Wood, the historian at the Twin Lights who shared additional information with them.
It was a great luncheon and an even better afternoon sharing stories with Bill Ptak. Florida resident up in his native Highlands for a few days and catching up with the memories and great people that made growing up in Highlands so much fun in the 1960s and 70s.
Bill is the oldest of the 11 youngsters of Ben and Gerry Ptak, the affable, always smiling, always working, always helping others, couple who raised their kids in the family home at the corner of Valley and Highland avenues.
There was some 20 years or so between Bill, the oldest of the clan, and the youngest, so just about every family knew or went to school with at least one of the Ptaks.
And all were there for the funeral of the family’s second oldest, Tommy, the brave young man who went to Vietnam and did not come back, the only soldier from Highlands who was killed in the Vietnam War.
Bill still remembers that tragic time, and admits he still misses the brother who was only one year younger than he.
It was Bill who captured the hearts of all of Highlands when he climbed up on the roof of the family home after the family was notified of Tommy’s death. It was Bill who spent one day painting the chimney the highest point on the house, with the American flag. Over the years, residents gazed up at the flag, seeing it as a memorial to their native son, and perhaps saying an extra prayer for the family, or chuckling over some joke or fun they shared with Tommy.
Bill remembers painting the flag, but doesn’t recall the exact day. He did it, he said, because it was Vietnam, it was a time for Hippies, and everyone was painting things here, there and everywhere. “Why not be patriotic, why not paint the American flag where it could be seen?” the good looking septuagenarian said this week, in talking about that past.
Bill was also the family member who started the beehives at the Ptak house. He had to select a project for his Boy Scout merit badge, he said, and raising bees seemed like a good idea. He did it, he earned his merit badge, and the hive lasted, later being taken care of by Bill’s father, Ben. Bill also said that even after he moved to Florida he had a couple of hives, but has given that up at least temporarily after a swarm of killer insects invade the territory and forced the bees to move on.
Now in his second career field…Bill worked in physical therapy before his current work which is in manufacturing with a specialty firm in construction, he’s as creative and curious as ever, always willing to try new avenues of adventure. He made the trip from Jacksonville where he lives to New Jersey by Amtrak, and enjoyed the experience enough to think about more travel .
But it’s the memories of those growing up years, those large families along Highland and Valley avenues, and all the kids playing, working, and going to school together that brought the most smiles to the hometown visitor during this visit.
Of course there were the Ryans on the corner of Highland and Miller, the cousins, the sons of Hubie and Rose, Bill’s aunt and uncle, the Dempseys…and there were several families of them, Earl and Mary and their brood not quite as large as the Ptaks, but close, Roland and Joan Dempsey with their youngsters, the Gills….it’s Bryan and his family Bill is visiting while up here, and of course the Giovencos, the Bordens, later the Dominguez’ and us, the Smiths, to name a few.
Bill shared the good news with me that the Giovenco clans now living in Kentucky are far removed from the devastating floods they are experiencing in the eastern part of the state now, and he’s been in touch with both John and Lynn.
The cycling Highlands tourist has a lot of plans over the next few days, checking out the Twin Lights, accepting the warning he’ll be surprised by where the new Highlands Borough Hall is being built, going over to spend time with one of his brothers now at one of the great B&Bs on Sandy Hook, and simply cycling through town to see the changes. He thinks 1 Willow St. is a great restaurant, not only for the food and service, but the great view as well, both of the Shrewsbury River, the bay and the Coast Guard buildings on Sandy Hook. He likes the look of the new condos on Willow Street and has already noticed the changes in town from his growing up years to the present. Think of it, he mused, after talking about the clam depuration plant, the number of clammers in town, the casual restaurants and the more casual atmosphere and outdoor dining at the town’s oldest restaurant, Bahrs. He laughed and said he knew he was talking to “a young person” when he called for reservations at One Willow and asked for directions, trying to use Conners as a focus point. The young lady didn’t know where he was talking about.
He’s enjoying his stay eager to cram in as much as he can, see as many old friends as he can, and simply recalling the joys and experiences of growing up in Highlands. “Even the names,” he noted, “we’ve come from The Clam Hut to One Willow,” an indication the population as changed as well.
But sadly Bill won’t see that American flag on the roof of the former Ptak home he painted to honor his brother. The chimney…and the red, white and blue, are gone, replaced with more modern equipment.
It will be five years this month since Middletown Police Chief Joseph McCarthy died at the age of 92. An unforgettable figure known to be both controversial and kind, sympathetic and tough, liked and hated, but always recognized and remembered.
This is a story I wrote for the Monmouth Journal the week after he died.
While friends, colleagues and members of the community joined the family in mourning the death of Joseph McCarthy this week, they also reveled in recanting stories of the legendary Chief of the Middletown Police Department — who served in that capacity for 23 years — and who was known as much for being a tough cop as he was for being kind, gentle, generous and always offering a helping hand.
McCarthy died Monday, one month to the day after his 92nd birthday. A Mass of Christian burial was held this morning, at Mary, Mother of God Church in New Monmouth. Burial followed at Fair View Cemetery, Middletown.
In the true generous spirit of McCarthy, the family has asked that any donations in his name be made to the Wounded Warriors Project, 4899 Belford Rd., Suite 300, Jacksonville, Fla. 32256.
“Joe could be summed up in a song,” said former Middletown Police Chief Robert Letts, a close friend of McCarthy for the 33 years he served with him on the department. “‘I did it my way’ explains how Joe ran the department, and his life,” Letts said.
The two veteran officers rose through the ranks together, with Letts also serving as Chief of Detectives before becoming Chief when McCarthy retired in 1990.
“I have so many great memories of him, not only as a police officer, but as a friend,” Letts said. “We traveled together, he and his wife Kate were sponsors for my sons’ sacraments in Church, we were good friends.”
Letts chuckled remembering the ‘other’ McCarthy — the Chief.
“He called staff meetings to hear all the opinions of his senior officers for specific plans or programs,” Letts said. “He heard all the comments, but in the end would say, ‘Nope, we’re doing it this way!’ That was Joe.”
Giving one example of McCarthy’s leading from the front, Letts recalled the 1970s when there were reports Vietnam protesters were tearing down an American flag at the high school.
“We all were recommending we stay low key, keep an eye on the situation, and to be prepared if anything did happen, but not to bring a lot of attention to it,” Letts said. “Not Joe. He said we were to go out in force, standby and be prepared right in front and in the open before anything would happen.”
Fortunately, he added, nothing happened, but Chief McCarthy always had his department prepared for any incident, before it happened.
Not only was he a great leader, but he was also the most progressive chief in the state, Letts said.
“We were among the first to have blue lights on patrol cars when that change came in, and we were among the first to have computers in our police vehicles,” he said.
Former Middletown Police Chief Robert Oches, who worked with both Letts and McCarthy, remains appreciative that McCarthy hired him in 1974. Now retired after 40 years on the department, Oches, who served three years as chief and still lives in Middletown, said, “He was always tough, but he was always good.”
He laughed when he thought about how McCarthy would react to all the hubbub surrounding his funeral — most likely yelling at everybody throughout because, “he never wanted any hoopla, or any attention, he’d be yelling if he saw how many people were out there to honor him.”
Oches said McCarthy mentored him throughout his career, even after he was retired.
“I always looked up to him, I tried my best to live up to his expectations,” Oches said. “He taught us that being a police officer was more than fighting crime and keeping neighborhoods safe. It was also about giving service to the people. He’d have us driving senior citizens to doctor’s appointments, helping a kid in need — he taught us the importance of community service before it even had a name.”
There was one time, Oches recalled, in the 1970s when he was a rookie officer and McCarthy was vacationing in Florida. He said he received a call from the chief, telling him he had just received a call in Florida from a neighbor in Port Monmouth. A woman in the neighborhood hadn’t been seen in a few days, the chief said, and directed Oches to go to the house to check on her. When Oches got no answer and all the doors and windows were locked, he called the Chief back in Florida to report he couldn’t get in to check.
“The Chief told me not to worry, we’d pay for it, but that I should break a window, get inside and make sure the woman was okay,” Oches recalled.
The patrolman did as he was told, and found the neighbor on the floor, severely dehydrated and unable to call for help. Oches called the first aid squad and accompanied her to the hospital, with the woman holding his hand in the ambulance the entire trip. He said she kept telling him to be sure to thank Chief McCarthy.
And Oches also made sure the window was repaired.
Oches also pointed out that while McCarthy was a prominent leader in Middletown and the county, he never let his power go to his head. Oches recalled Chief McCarthy had a sign behind his desk that read, “It’s nice to be important, but it’s more important to be nice.”
Former Police Chief John Pollinger wrote many of his own sentiments about the former chief on his Facebook page, also displaying photos through the years.
“It really is tough,” Pollinger said. “I first met Chief McCarthy at a banquet for the local first aid squad I belonged to at the age of 17. I mentioned I was a cadet and asked him if he had any plans in the future for a police cadet program. He invited me to his office the very next day. After a brief interview, he told me he wanted to start one and told me to go out and get khakis and black shoes. He had me come in, work records and allowed me to ride with the regular officers. No badge, no patch, no official role. The program never got off the ground but that never stopped him or me. A year later, Law Enforcement Exploring was just getting off the ground and off I went on my journey and career. I owe it all to him.”
Current Chief Craig Weber said, “Chief McCarthy was a remarkable person who touched so many lives and did so much good for the community. He devoted his life to public service and worked tirelessly to help maintain a wonderful quality of life and make Middletown one of the safest towns in the United States. As a law enforcement leader he was a pioneer who was truly ahead of his time.”
Police officers who served under McCarthy also have fond and lasting memories of the Chief who will forever be a role model in the township. Irv Beaver, who retired in 1989 after 25 years on the police department, conceded that he and McCarthy did not always agree, but, he said, their disagreements were always because of his position as the state delegate to the PBA, a position Beaver held for 12 years.
“Chief McCarthy was a very tough chief and he made Middletown the safest community in the state of New Jersey,” Beaver said.
McCarthy served on the Middletown Police Department under 17 different mayors, beginning with Mayor Frank Blaisdell in 1954, through Mayor Patrick Parkinson in 1990.
Residents throughout Monmouth County, but especially in the Bayshore, always saw McCarthy as the man who would take on any challenge, respond to any need or contribute to any worthy cause.
Local entrepreneur Jack Westlake, who now lives in Red Bank, recalls he and Joe first became friends 47 years ago when each learned they were both born in Jersey City. McCarthy came to Monmouth County in his youth, attending Middletown High School before joining the Army, and Westlake came in the 1970s.
“He was the best,” Westlake said. “They don’t make them like that anymore. He didn’t ever just say hello. He said what can I do for you?”
When the pair were talking at a funeral in Jersey City one day, they learned they had lived only blocks apart from each other growing up.
McCarthy remembered that Westlake’s grandmother had planted a bush in the front yard of the Westlake home some 70 years before, and he wanted to get a photo of Westlake in front of the still standing but now decades old plant. So after the funeral, McCarthy asked him to stop at a store so he could buy a camera and on to the house they went to get the picture.
“Then after he took that picture, we drove to his former house, where he got out, stood on the lawn and told me to take a photo of him, and to be sure I got the house number in the picture,” Westlake recalled.
When Westlake was beginning the new ferry service out of the Bayshore, he said McCarthy was going to every freeholder meeting, “to be sure they gave me all the permits and everything necessary to get it underway.”
Westlake added, “He went to so many meetings they asked me if I had him on the payroll.”
He did not, and it was simply that McCarthy thought water-borne service would be a boon to the Bayshore and an improvement for Monmouth County.
Former Atlantic Highlands Mayor Dick Stryker also had humorous and warm memories of Chief McCarthy, especially how he “mobilized the entire Bayshore during some very difficult times,” especially the riots in Asbury Park.
“He brought people together and always defended the rights of the people,” Stryker said. “The Chief is a part of history, not only of Middletown but of the entire Bayshore.”
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