Local residents and council members were eager to share great reports at last night’s meeting of the Mayor and Council, all proving that the borough is indeed a close knit community where people really care for one another.

It started when council unanimously declared November  Native Americans month, honoring the first settlers in the Bayshore, members of the Lenni Lenape tribe, and other Native Americans who worked together and formed communities where we now have Atlantic Highlands. The proclamation also praised Native Americans both past and present for their contributions to the nation, and promotes self-determination, trust and treaty responsibilities to tribal nations.

Councilman James Murphy then informally told of a recent incident involving First Aid Squad President Lance Hubeny when he encountered an elderly woman walking along Ocean Blvd. late one evening and concerned for her welfare, stopped to investigate further.  It appears the woman was disoriented, was not attired for the cold weather and could not find her way to her own residence. He contacted the police, an investigation and conversation ensued, and the woman was brought safely to her home without any serious effects or further trauma for her. Murphy said Hubery’s swift actions and concern may well have averted a serious situation and urged all residents that when they see something that appears unusual or untoward, they should take action of some kind, such as notifying police, to avoid serious or dangerous situations.

Councilwoman Lori Hohenleitner relayed an incident she observed recently as well, drawing more praise to the police department for their action when a vehicle on Grand Avenue whose driver apparently recognized some vehicular malfunction and the vehicle ended off the road.  She praised not only the Public Works Department whose curbing prevented a more serious problem as well as a local landscaping company who was on scene and helped the driver get the car moved and the incident secured with no injuries or further damage.

Praise of the Public Works Department and its chairman James Phillips came up once again when Councilman Brian Boms praised the department for its road cleaning and leaf cleaning efforts, and urged, as did both the Public Works Department and the Police Department, residents to keep catch basis near their homes clear. Boms, newly recognized as a volunteer fireman though he has been active for some time prior to last night’s meeting, also reminded motorists not to park their vehicles over piles of leaves because of possible fires.

Another resident praised the Public Works Department, noting their cooperation with the Green Team setting up a place in the Recycling yard for pumpkin recycling, noting undamaged pumpkins used during the holidays can be brought to the recycling yard for further distribution to the New Life Farm where pigs quartered there not only eat pumpkin but use them in play. The Green Team has also established and promoted other uses for pumpkins in any condition including as bird feeders.

Eileen Cusick, who take take office as a Councilwoman in January after winning election earlier this month, also inquired about health grants Ferragina mentioned during the meeting, and already indicated her interest in working with the administrator on the best use for the grants.

After all the talk, all the  money, all the advertising of meetings, all the meetings, and all the secrecy, it doesn’t look like anything will happen with the St. Agnes School property until next year.

In a 37- minute long meeting that has to go down as one of the shortest meetings of the Mayor and Council this year, with no one from the public asking any questions, Councilman Brian Dougherty and Mayor Loretta Gluckstein both confirmed that the Planning Board meeting for Monday night will not address the proposed Redevelopment Plan, Resolution 174-2022,  and it is not on the agenda.

At the end of the meeting, Council also announced there would be no executive session following last night‘s council meeting, a session that  was scheduled for discussion of Resolution 174-2022, acquisition of property.

With Council only having one more meeting scheduled for this year, Dec. 15,  and the planning board having no other meetings but the Dec. 1 scheduled meeting for this year, it would appear that any further action on the redevelopment plan or St. Agnes School acquisition will have to wait until next year. And since a new governing body takes office New Year’s Day, the entire process will have to begin from scratch once again.

Borough Administrator Robert Ferragina said there will be the opportunity for the public to speak on further action on the resolution, although he could not specify at what meeting that would take place. He did confirm, that as Council always does, the meeting will be announced, will be posted on the bulletin board, as well as on the illuminated sign in front of the building, and will be properly advertised and on the borough’ official website so everyone will have the opportunity know the time and date  for the meeting.

The Planning Board meeting scheduled for Dec. 1 at 7 p.m. as advertised will address three other applications which have been on the board’s agenda for action.

After three years of discussions, residents anticipating and desiring a senior citizen housing possibility at the St. Agnes School property, and the public asking questions on progress of negotiations or actions  the governing body intends to take, borough council has scheduled an executive session at tonight’s meeting apparently to continue discussion on acquisition of the property. However, the agenda for tonight’s meeting, slated to begin at 7 p.m.. does not indicate whether any action will be taken following the executive session.

Three years of talk, executive sessions, public questions and many requests from the public for action, it’s down to the end of the year and, if action is taken, a rush and conglomeration of activities and meetings that would have to be completed by Jan. 1 when a new council takes office.

Last month, the governing body uncovered a 34 page Mother Teresa Property Redevelopment Plan by Resolution 170-2022. The plan not only does not make any reference to senior housing use of the school as the public anticipated . Instead, it offers changes to the property that would allow for construction of anywhere from 9 to 13 residential houses and the demolition of the school building.

Such a plan, by law, must be submitted to the Planning Board for its review and comparison to the borough’s Master Plan, another 182-page document the borough adopted three years ago.  The meeting is set for Dec. 1. Once the planners review and compare the documents,  they must then forward their review to the governing body. Council’s next and last meeting for this administration is set for Dec. 15.

All of which means that while there has been talk, executive sessions, questions and few answers, the future of that piece of property, and the consistency review,  be it for residential housing, senior residence or something else, is expected to be studied by the planning board, reviewed, and back to council for final action within 17 days.

Had not the attorney for St. Agnes and the Diocese of Trenton successfully called for adjournment of the meeting scheduled for last Monday, simply because he had never heard of the new plan before the night of that council meeting,  it still would have only given a few more days for the planners to review the documents.

Does all this make any sense? Is this prudent action? Is it what the residents want or don’t they get to have a say?

In the meantime, Ordinance. 13,  the proposed code that approves the new 34-page redevelopment plan, is scheduled for a public hearing Dec. 15, Council’s last scheduled meeting for this administration. That ordinance was introduced last month and approved unanimously on first reading by the council. Mayor Loretta Gluckstein does not and cannot participate in anything to do with the school due to a possible conflict because of her employment.

So the bottom line is…..why is there a rush now? If thoughtful and cooperative consideration and input could not take place over three years, is it wise to rush through a new ordinance, a new plan, one that was not even shared with the property owner until a couple of weeks ago,….. and then only because he attended the meeting via ZOOM….,  at the 11th hour before a new administration takes office Jan. 1?  Should a plan that could not be done in three years….a new redevelopment plan, a comparison of it with the Master plan, meetings of at least two different commissions for discussions and action, and time for public comment all take place all with a couple of holidays and holiday preparations thrown in, be rushed through now?

In other business at the meeting this evening, Council will approve Councilman Brian Boms as a fireman, introduce an ordinance to increase  membership on the Shade Tree Commission  and approve four other resolutions, one to approve submission to apply for a $320,000 grant for the Road Construction program that had a Nov. 16 deadline for applying.

She has illustrated more than 40 books, drawn more cats, dogs and other pets than she could remember, and now the very talented Morgan Spicer is offering special gift ideas for those who want illustrated reminders of their favorite pet.

The talented artist, who lives in Atlantic Highlands where she serves on the Environmental Commission as  well as being active with Wild in Atlantic Highlands and other environmentally friendly organizations, creates personalized illustrations that make ideal Christmas gifts.

She founded her studio, Bark Point Studio, ten years ago and since then has created thousands of portrait of animal companions. Some of her works have also been featured in the local Art Gallery, and one of her newest books, Norman the Christmas Dog, has been featured at the Eastern Branch of the Monmouth County Library. She has illustrated the popular  Musky the Ferret book and second book in that series as well as numerous other books for a variety of authors.

She and her husband,  Zack Brown, own six dogs of their own, all rescued as puppies from various sources, and she has visited schools and libraries with her well behaved pets, instructing children about both art and animals.

A graduate of Syracuse University and raised in Monmouth County, Morgan creates both artwork for framing as well as other unique ideas personalized by those who commission her for personal use or gift giving ideas.

Visit Morgan’s webpage at Bark Point Studios or contact her at morganspicer@barkpointstudio.com