Middletown takes gov't to the people
Twp. OEM discusses plans for emergencies
BY JAMIE ROMM Staff Writer

MIDDLETOWN - The traveling road show known as the Middletown Neighborhood Meeting made its second stop at the senior center at Croydon Hall last week, where township officials fielded many of the same concerns voiced at the first meeting.

The meetings- there will be a total of four- are conducted in an informal manner so that anything and everything can be discussed with the Township Committee and township professionals.

Topics during the March 28 meeting ranged from controversial issues such as the budget and the missed revaluation deadline to parking at the Middletown Arts Center and snowplowing.

Mayor Gerard Scharfenberger shed some light on the current budget situation so that residents in attendance could know where the township is in terms of the budget's introduction.

"We received an extension date on when to introduce it," Scharfenberger said. "We are currently looking at our April 21 meeting to introduce it, and we have to give at least three weeks' [notice] before we can have our open hearing."

He said the budget would be posted on the township's Web site when introduced and that township officials are currently looking to "trim the budget" as much as they possibly can.

"We have a lot of unfunded mandates that are humongous parts of our budget," Scharfenberger said. "It's not like we can just cut them out of our budget. We are working hard with township CFO Richard Wright, who is one of the best, to trim this down as much as we possibly can."

At all four of the meetings, the Office of Emergency Management is presenting an overview of the department's responsibilities.

Cliff Daincy, deputy director of the program, spoke to residents in attendance about issues such as how to prepare for a natural disaster like a hurricane or tornado.

Daincy attended along with OEM Director Charles Rogers.

"We also have a shelter unit which is right here in Croydon Hall," Daincy said. "We would help people who have evacuated from their homes if they need a place to come and stay in case of a hurricane or a flood or a natural disaster … perhaps the electricity is out. We can set it up just like the Red Cross would."

OEMwould provide food, blankets and make arrangements for people who have been displaced from their homes, and the OEM has standing arrangements with local supermarkets for supplies if needed.

"Nothing elaborate," Daincy said, "just what we need to hold us over."

He also gave information about the revised flood maps and information about the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Committeeman Sean Byrnes asked Daincy where to find more information about the evacuation plans and flood maps, and Daincy said to look at the Web site for OEM or FEMA.

"They are both very helpful," Daincy said. "They have maps and plans that will help in an emergency."

Daincy also answered a resident's concerns about pets and the fact that many shelters do not allow pets.

"There are some hotels which accept pets, but they are few and far between," Daincy said. "It's important to think of your pet as a family member as you have to prepare what to do with them just in case of an emergency."

One resident had a complaint about the missing "J" on the Johnson Annex sign. He said the complaint might seem small, but his friend Bill Johnson, for whom the annex is named, would not appreciate it.

One suggestion was for an ice rink to be placed over the tennis courts at the Middletown Swim Club so the facility could be used year-round.

"That's not a far-fetched idea," Scharfenberger said. "We have been looking into getting funds for an ice skating rink, which would benefit the children and the school so we don't have to go out of town for the hockey teams to play."

The hockey league currently plays at the ice rink in Hazlet.

The next neighborhood meeting will be heldApril 10 at theMiddletownArts Center at 7:30 p.m., with the final meeting scheduled for April 17 at Lincroft Elementary School.