First 2023 Howell Council Meeting 'Very Enjoyable,' Mayor Says

HOWELL, NJ — The first full 2023 business meeting of the Township Council last Tuesday was indeed all business and no apparent politics.

Mayor Theresa Berger now presides as the only Democrat among four Republican members, including three who were elected this year - Susan Fischer, Fred Gasior and Ian Nadel.

Berger began the meeting by observing that she'd like to have a pleasant new year of meetings. "We did have a tumultuous couple of years. I would like to enjoy the conversation as opposed to bickering," she said at the start of the meeting.

And there was certainly no bickering among the council at the meeting.

Several issues were brought up by Township Manager Joseph Clark and Community Development Director Matt Howard that the council will need to examine in terms of policy in the ensuing months.

So the council clearly has its work cut out for it.

For example, the mayor first suggested installing AED's - defibrillators that can be used to restart heart activity - at township parks and other public places.

Berger said other towns such as Freehold Township have installed them and she thinks Howell should do so, given the recent attention nationally to the need to respond immediately to a heart crisis on a playing field, for example. She said it's a good way to keep townspeople safe, especially when playing sports.

The council also clarified the protocol for public comment at meetings. Residents can comment, but the council won't necessarily engage in a dialog on the questions in the middle of the business meeting but rather after the public comment section is closed.

For example, two members of the public asked some pointed questions about details on certain resolutions. Clark answered the questions after the comment period was over, but still during the public meeting.

He assured residents they can also always make an appointment to talk to him or other officials or call for any information that is needed - or ask for more follow up in an email, for example. The two members of the public who spoke were seated at that point and did not pursue follow up at the meeting.

Clark, in answer to the questions, confirmed that the Howell PAL will be handling the summer recreation camp, for example.

He also said the yearly salary ordinance, which contains certain contracted salary ranges, includes his own salary. The ordinance will have a public hearing at the next council meeting on Feb. 7, at which time it will be allowed for full discussion by the public.

Two issues regarding property use came up in a report from Howard, and they both are going to require examination by the council: the growing use of farmland for events and the issue of occupancy in houses.

The use of farmland for large weddings or parties is a particular concern because of hazards for driving or parking or exiting the site. One farm had a large flea market, for example, Howard said.

He said the town needs to make sure the uses are controlled and uniform and, above all, safe for the public. His full discussion can be heard on the township YouTube television recording of the meeting.

There were several other issues brought up at the meeting - plans for an archery range, for example, and the fact that a new company has taken over a Conrail freight line and has increased its service to a lumber company to twice a week from once a week. These projects will develop over the next few weeks. The freight line is on federal property, Clark noted, and not under the oversight of the township.

And also, the GOP council voted unanimously to appoint Randy Bishop to the Planning Board, as proposed by Berger. Bishop ran on the Democratic slate for council. He was a former mayor in Neptune.