Hanukka Celebration Brightens Holiday Season In Mt. Olive

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“Jolly Old Saint Nicolas, lean your ear this way. Don’t you tell a single soul what I’m going to say.”

In just those few lines of the Christmas song, people can feel the childlike anticipation of the holiday. They feel and recall the excitement of sitting on Santa Claus’s lap and telling him their Christmas wishes.  

When there’s a nip in the air, thoughts can’t help but turn to ones of merriment, whimsy and holiday goings-on. For kids, and the inner kid in adults, it boils down to the magic of the season. For many, that means Santa’s coming.

On Nov. 30, Mt. Olive’s Kiwanis Club opened Santa House at Turkey Brook Park in Budd Lake to make holiday memories with their families and enjoy a festive outing. Santa House is open on Saturdays and Sundays in December, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

There is no entrance fee, but donating is encouraged. For those festive photos, pictures taken with Santa will be a fee of $10 each. Weather permitting, there will be outdoor pictures. Photos will be on-site for convenience. 

Since 1995, Mt. Olive’s Santa House has been delighting both parents and kids, with some families even coming back year after year. Santa House is a local, festive family activity that has the bonus of helping the community. In that respect, it’s a perfect reminder that the holidays are not just about receiving; they are about giving as well.

Heidi Caruso, president of the Mt. Olive Kiwanis Club, can barely contain her excitement regarding Santa House for this year.

“Santa House is so much fun! It’s our biggest fundraiser,” she explains. “We were unable to do it last year because of the pandemic. It was just not safe. This year we are able to do it, and we are taking outdoor photos as well.”

Caruso relates that Santa House is one room festively decorated with a chair for Santa to sit in, a fireplace, a decorated tree and holiday trimmings all around. As such, it enhances the holiday mood for all.

“It’s not just a backdrop just for taking pictures, it’s a complete room,” says Caruso. “It really does feel like you are sitting in Santa Claus’s living room.”

Caruso also offers up a practical point, one that can’t be overlooked at this time of the year: The cost.

“This isn’t the standard photo of a child with Santa,” Caruso states. “At our price of $10, the picture won’t be something that you have to pay hundreds of dollars for.”

A huge fan of volunteering and giving back, Caruso relates that she had learned the rewards of volunteering by her parents and began at a young age. As a teacher in the Morristown School District, she is passionate about working with the students and giving back to the community. When she was searching to get back into volunteering, she investigated Mt. Olive’s Kiwanis Club.

 Kiwanis is a global organization dedicated to changing the world, one volunteer, one community at a time. The Kiwanis Club supports many projects including sponsoring Mt. Olive High School’s Key Club, a community service program that is a student-led organization with the goal of teaching leadership through helping.

Passing on enthusiasm and passion for giving back, Caruso can’t say enough about the student volunteers at Santa House.

“They organize crowds and do practically everything regarding the pictures,” she says. They are amazing.”

All proceeds from the Santa House will benefit the Mt. Olive Kiwanis Club and Foundation. Among other projects, the Mt. Olive Kiwanis Club sponsors the Mt. Olive High School Key Club, provides scholarships for deserving high school students and supports the Mt. Olive Pantry.

Taking the stress out of the holiday outings, there are no long lines and convenient parking at Santa House. Additionally, there’s no reason to leave four-legged friends behind, even pets are welcome.

Children will receive a free toy while supplies last.   

With such high energy and excitement, Caruso seeks to engage everyone this year by using social media.

There are additional delights to enjoy this year at Santa House as well. Some of these include a Santa House book drive to help get books in the hands of community children during visits,  trunk sales, a coffee house and selling of homemade jewelry.

“It’s an exciting time of year,” Caruso enthuses. “Santa House offers a place for families, community to come together and do something festive while engaging in the community. The biggest draw of something like this is that Santa House not only brings families together, but it also brings communities together.” 

For further information or details on Santa House or investigating Kiwanis,  contact Caruso at hcaruso.mokiwanis@gmail.com; and mtolivekiwanis.org. 

Meetings are held bi-monthly on the 1st and 3rd Thursday at 7:30 p.m.

“Ah, how good it is to be among people who are reading,” stressed the Austrian poet and novelist Rainer Maria Rilke.

The students, teachers and staff at Chester M. Stephens Elementary School in Budd Lake could not agree more as they complete their One Book, One CMS initiative this past week.  The CMS school community has been reading “Fenway and Hattie,” by Victoria Coe since it kicked off the program October 18.

A fresh way to read together, especially after virtual learning last year during the pandemic, students and the community can share in the love of reading and enjoy a good book together. 

“There are many little ways to enlarge your child’s world. Love of books is the best of all,” said Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, an American socialite, writer, photographer, and book editor who served as first lady of the United States from 1961 to 1963, as the wife of President John F. Kennedy. 

“I love that it creates a reading community among our students and gives families an opportunity to read together as well,” says CMS Instructional Supervisor Dani Marangon. 

The is the second year that CMS has participated in the One Book, One CMS initiative.

“We did it two years ago with the book “A Boy Called Bat,” explains Marangon.  “We were unable to do it last year due to Covid. We do plan to do it every year.”

CMS Reading Teacher Journie Cifelli brought it to former CMS Principal Kevin  Moore two years ago after it was run in her children's school, explains Marangon. At that time, the academic intervention teachers, which consisted of Cifelli, Marangon, Basic Skills Teacher Kathryn Vizzone and Kindergarten Teacher Lisa Lamendola, worked together to develop the program, the kick-off school assembly and parent reading night, says Marangon.

“That year EAMO donated the books so every student could have their own,” she says. 

“This year our school parent organization, the SCA, purchased the books for every student,” she says. Our academic interventionists continue to run the program.”

“Reading should not be presented to children as a chore or a duty. It should be offered as a gift,” quoted Kate DiCamillo, an American children’s fiction author,  usually featuring animals.

Each student at CMS received a copy of the book.

“Our parents’ group, the SCA purchased them with the money they raised from the book fair last year,” says Marangon. 

The CMS Academic Intervention Team chose this year’s title for the book initiative, says Marangon.

“It is about a 3rd grade reading level which means most of our students can read it,” says Marangon. “We looked for an engaging book- this one is about a family dog and it is told from the point of view of the dog. It is a fun read and offers a lot of teachable moments for the staff.”

“You're never too old, too wacky, too wild to pick up a book and read to a child,” said Anita Merina, a staff member of the National Education Association (NEA), who featured the quote in a poem used in “Read Across America” campaign designed to encourage children and adults to read. 

“Every single student gets the book and is encouraged to read along,” explains Marangon about the initiative.

“Our website has videos of teacher, town and central office volunteers reading each chapter,” she says. “That way if students aren't able to read the chapter themselves or don't have an adult at home who can read with them, they can still participate.  We do trivia questions over morning announcements for each chapter to keep everyone engaged. We have about 660 students reading along!”

The 162 page book-  “Fenway and Hattie,” by Victoria Coe-

was a fun, entertaining read for all.

“I love that book is told from the perspective of the dog,” says Marangon. “As an animal lover it is fun way to hear the story. He also has creative names for all his humans like Food Lady is the mom. And places- eating place is the kitchen.” 

The program also had teaching moments beyond the words on the page, encouraging fun activities and even a collection for animals.

“We do a trivia question after each chapter,” says Marangon. “All the students are invited to submit answers throughout the day and we pick a winner at dismissal and announce them. We had volunteers read chapters. We partnered with 11 Hour Rescue and organized a donation drive for animals there.”

Marangon says the initiative helped to collect hundreds of items for the Eleventh a volunteer run, no-kill rescue in Morris County that saves dogs and cats from high-kill shelters. 

“The donation drive was sent out to the school community,” says Marangon. “We asked for a different item a week,” she says, adding that the collection which has now ended, lasted five weeks.

“We collected paper towels, dish and laundry detergent, scrub sponges, used or new towels, new cat/dog toys,” she says. “Over 100 paper towel rolls and thee large boxes of other supplies” have been dropped off at Eleventh Hour Rescue. 

“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go,” - Dr. Theodor Seuss Geisel, an American children's author, political cartoonist, illustrator, poet, animator and filmmaker.

Temple Hatikvah President Larry Leibowitz hands over keys to Rabbi Yaacov Shusterman of the Chabad Jewish Center of Northwest New Jersey-Western Region  

By Cheryl Conway  

Its journey to find support and stability has never been brighter for the Chabad Jewish Center of Northwest New Jersey-Western Region in Mt. Olive.

After 17 years of offering services and activities in five different places in town, the Chabad Jewish Center of Flanders has found a permanent home.

While youngsters and their parents were ringing doors of houses for candy and saying ‘Trick or Treat,’ the religious leaders of the Chabad were picking up the keys and opening the door of a long-time synagogue in town… and all those affiliated were saying “Mazal Tov.”

That was Sunday, Oct. 31, when the Chabad Jewish Center closed on its new location, 58 Pleasant Hill Rd., in Flanders, also known as Temple Hatikvah. Under the agreement, the Chabad and the synagogue will operate out of the same building until June 30, 2022.

Like the candles that stayed lit, for eight nights instead of one, during the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem more than 2,000 years ago amidst the lack of oil to keep the flame a glow, the Jewish community can thrive and grow now that the Chabad Jewish Center has a permanent home.

“We are so thankful,” says Rabbi Yaacov Shusterman, spiritual leader of the Chabad Jewish Center of Flanders. He says it is “so nice to deal with them,” the leaders at Temple Hatikvah, adding that he is “looking forward to all of the opportunities that are here.” His “hope” is “to make a very huge impact on the Jewish community through this.”

In an open letter to the Jewish community, the Shusterman and wife Fraida, write: “We are confident that the new Chabad Jewish Center will become an inviting space and a vibrant center, full of Jewish life, positivity, warmth and Jewish pride, where youth and adults alike will feel comfortable.  The new space will enable us to offer an even more enriching array of programs geared to every Jew in the area.”

Connection Is Made

Whether it involved Hanukka one year at an ice rink with a giant ice-sculpted menora or sponsored a community Shabbat dinner at the Flanders Crossing Clubhouse, the Chabad always managed to provide the best services and events, despite a permanent structure.

For almost three years, since February 2019, the Chabad Jewish Center had been renting space at 11 Deerfield Place in Flanders. Blessed with a growing membership, the Shustermans decided to explore the opportunity of acquiring the building after learning that synagogue leaders were looking into selling the establishment.

It was in July when Shusterman says “I heard they were seriously contemplating to sell. So I met with the president. We would hate for the synagogue to close down.”

In mid-September, “right before Rosh Hashana, he [the Temple Hatikvah president] texted me and made us an offer.”

Shusterman says Temple Hatikvah decided to sell its synagogue because “they didn’t have enough members to keep it going financially.” While the plan is for the two Jewish congregations to share the building until next June, Shusterman says members of Temple Hatikvah “were looking for other options such as merging with other synagogues.”

For now, the two congregations are successfully sharing the 7,600 ft. of space inside the synagogue.

“They use it Sunday for Hebrew School,” says Shusterman. “They have a senior group,” as well. “We use it the other day,” or are even in the building at the same time.

“It’s big enough to share,” says Shusterman.

Jewish Congregations in Mt. Olive

Temple Hatikvah and the Chabad Jewish Center are the two Jewish congregations that have served the Jewish community in Mt. Olive and surrounding areas.

Founded in 1969, Temple Hatikvah is affiliated with the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism. Back in 2018, it carried a membership of 75 families in Mt. Olive and surrounding towns such as Roxbury, Long Valley, Chester, Succasunna, Randolph and Hackettstown.

In 2019, Temple Hatikvah celebrated its 50th anniversary and its pride of being the only established Jewish congregation with a shul in Mt. Olive.

That same year, in February, The Chabad Jewish Center of Northwest N.J.-Western Region moved into rented space at 11 Deerfield Ave. for religious services and events.

Located on the second floor of the brown brick building, on Route 206 North, at the end of the strip mall where Weiss is located, the 1,400 sq. ft. space consisted of two rooms with kitchen space.

Prior to that, the Chabad offered organized services at the Flanders Crossing Clubhouse in Flanders and the rabbi’s home in Clover Hill.

When the Shustermans first moved to Mt. Olive back in 2004, they lived on River Rd. in Flanders, offering some space for services there.

When not held in their private home, Hebrew school had been held at the Country Day School in Flanders and services at the Flanders Crossing Clubhouse.

Over the years, the Chabad’s membership has grown along with the need for a larger space for services, educational programs for adults and seniors, special programs for women, Hebrew school, activities for youth and teens and so much more.

Members come from Mt. Olive, Hope, Blairstown, Hackettstown, Long Valley, Chester and Roxbury. 

The next nearest synagogue is the Reform congregation of Temple Shalom in neighboring Succasunna; and the closest Conservative synagogue is Adath Shalom in Morris Plains.

While the Shustermans are happy that they were able to rent the space at Deerfield, they knew their best option was to find a larger, permanent space they could call their own.

“It really worked out,” says Shusterman.  

Beneficial to All

Buildings get sold all the time, but when it is acquired by another with the same goal and purpose in mind, the transaction can be one to be celebrated by all those who embark in its mission.

“Our decision was based on the fact that a Jewish establishment needs to be saved and its legacy honored,” explains the Shustermans in an open letter to the community. “Through this purchase, Chabad is averting Temple Hatikvah and the legacy of those who invested their hearts, souls, money, dedication, time, and effort from becoming lost. By ensuring that this beautiful building remains standing, we can preserve the past and define the bright future of the local Jewish community.”
Shusterman explains the benefits of the Chabad’s purchase.

The fact that this “Jewish institution is not going to close is a good sign,” says Shusterman. “If it did close, where are they [the Jewish community members] going to go? For the morale of the Jewish community, it’s good.

“It’s a beautiful place; it’s big,” he continues. “It’s a solid building; it’s beautiful. Overall, it’s perfect for community use; it’s really good.”

Location is also ideal.

“People want to come; it’s a very visible spot. Anyone looking for something can find it. For the Jewish community, it’s a great thing.”

Shusterman says there are a lot of Jewish people in the area so having a synagogue in town or nearby is so convenient.

“It’s very close,” he says. “It’s an excellent location,” only one mile from his house so on Shabbat and religious holidays he and his family can walk to synagogue.    

Another benefit is its ability to offer more to the Jewish community.

“This promising property will allow us to accommodate and increase our activities to serve and address the needs of the growing Jewish community in our area,” the Shustermans share in the letter. “With the expansion of the Chabad Jewish Center, we will be able to implement expanded programs geared to the Jewish youth, teens, adults and seniors.”

Shusterman says he is hoping to offer more programs to the kids.

“Hopefully the Hebrew school will grow,” he says, and a youth group can get established. He also mentions a senior group and growing numbers to attend a weekly Minyan service. Bar and Bat Mitzva ceremonies can also be held at the synagogue; as far as celebrations, music and food requirements may be restricted to non-Shabbat days and Kosher food brought in from caterer.

“People will come and find out” about the Chabad, says Shusterman. “If we don’t find them, they’ll find us.” 

Renovations Planned

Shusterman says they do have some renovations in mind as the building could use some updating since it is 52 years old.

“We just started working on it,” says Shusterman, as far as any ideas for structural changes or updates. “We don’t know yet. He mentions maybe some “cosmetic” improvement “like the roof” or “maybe making it more modern.”

In a letter to the community, the Shustermans share: “We are currently in touch with lead architects and designers to update the exterior and interior of the building and improve the property.” 

Shusterman says, “all in all it’s in excellent condition. It’s in move-in condition. Buying a ready-made building….It’s ready to go.”  

Happy Members

The Chabad has offered free membership to any and all Jews no matter of their affiliation.

When asked how many current members are involved with the Chabad, Shusterman responds, “all of the Jews in the area are members.” 

Members are happy that they will now have a synagogue to attend religious services and other events.

“I’m very happy and excited that the Chabad has a permanent home,” says Toby Kornfeld of Succasunna, one of the pioneer members. Her two eldest grandsons were the first students to celebrate their B’nai Mitzvot through the Chabad. She also used to work at Temple Hatikvah’s Nursery School years ago, so having its foundation remain a synagogue is truly a blessing. 

“Rather than having services in an office building, I consider the synagogue a holy place to worship,” says Kornfeld. The Bubbie, Jewish for grandmother, of nine is “pleased the building will not be destroyed, or taken down, or become something else. It will remain a temple, a place to worship.” 

Another pioneer member, Lisa Sclar of Succasunna, says she was honored and excited to attend the first services at the newly acquired temple in November.

“Everyone shared in the excitement,” says Sclar, despite the small crowd at that initial service. “Fraida [Shusterman] prepared and served an extraordinary Kiddush lunch,” and the “rabbi’s father was in attendance.”      

Services are held every Saturday at the synagogue at 10 a.m. For any questions, dedication or to donate, visit www.mychabadcenter.com

Mt. Olive will be acquiring 25 acres to add to its park system and meeting space after the Mt. Olive Twp. Council approved an ordinance at its last council meeting.

On Tuesday, Dec. 7, during the remote meeting of the Mt. Olive Twp. Council, members unanimously passed Bond Ordinance #26-2021 for the acquisition of property appropriating $400K and authorizing the issuance of $380K bonds to the township’s finance department. The property is located at 5 Pond View Lane in Flanders.

Open Space Funds will not be used for this purchase, therefore, its usage will require less restrictions.

“Open Space Funds were decided not to be used for the purchase which will give the township more flexibility with its use,” says Mt. Olive Twp. Business Administrator Andrew Tatarenko.

“Once we have the closing, we’re all going to sit together to figure out a path forward that makes sense for the community,” Tatarenko says during the meeting.

“The ideas are to offer the outdoor space as another open area for residents to enjoy,” he says. “The indoor space is still being developed but it would most likely be used as a small rental space or meeting area.”

With access to the property at Flanders-Bartley Rd., the acquired land at “5 Pond View Lane was an abandoned house which we were monitoring for the past year over property maintenance issues when we decided that it would be a great piece of property for the township to acquire and add to our park system,” says Tatarenko.

“Its 25 acres offers passive recreational, conservation and historic preservation opportunities,” he says. “It is locally known as The Tarn, also as the Bartley Foundry/Mill.  There is a 4,100 square foot building on site, a pond with small island which feeds into the South Branch Raritan and a boardwalk which goes around the entire pond.”

Preserving any property that is historical can add character to the township.

“This is going to be terrific for open space point of view, historic preservation,” says Kathleen Murphy of the Mt. Olive Twp. Historical Society. She says the vacated building and surrounding property will be eligible for consideration on the National Register for Historical Places.

Other News

Vaccines and mandates have been the talk, not only throughout the country and the world, but at Mt. Olive Twp. Council meetings.

At the last few meetings, officials have been discussing whether to mandate the COVID 19 vaccine for Mt. Olive Twp. employees.

Councilmember Alex Roman has been very vocal about not mandating the vaccine to employees, while Mt. Olive Twp. Mayor Rob Greenbaum has taken the opposite stance and suggesting that mandates may become a requirement.

All township employees, meanwhile, have to either show their vaccination card as proof that they are vaccinated against the virus or undergo weekly testing that yields a negative test result.

At the Nov. 23 meeting, Roman asked Tatarenko for an update on the numbers of employees who are vaccinated and those who get tested.

Tatarenko says 50 employees per week get tested and there has been 100 percent compliance by employees.

“It’s been working out well,” says Tatarenko.

Roman also questions whether the vaccinated employees are being tested as well and Tatarenko responds, “Not at this time.”

Greenbaum interjected at that point saying “We are looking at going to a full vaccination policy at this point and getting rid of the testing all together.” He says the option will be “either vaccinate or no longer be employed by the township.”

The mayor’s plan is to talk to Tatarenko further about this mandate.

“The current testing policy for unvaccinated employees is staying in effect,” says Tatarenko during a follow up call with Mt. Olive Online. “It has proven to be helpful as we have identified employees through this process that have been confirmed COVID positive.”

He says, “Out of 187 employees, 53 are unvaccinated.  The 134 are not “allegedly” vaccinated, they have shown proof.  We are following the States EO as it relates to testing state employees and teachers.  If they change their policy to test vaccinated employees, we will follow.”

Eco Islands

Roman also questions the size of the one Eco Island already placed in Budd Lake. He points out that the floating island is a lot smaller than planned.

“Did we contact the company to express our disappointment?” asks Roman.

Tatarenko explains that the original agreement was for 25 ft. circumferent islands and that the next two will be double in size at 50 ft.

“It was somewhat of a test even though it was smaller than we anticipated,” says Council President Joe Nicastro. “It will be a good thing,” he assures.

Tatarenko says the islands will be different when the greenery grows on it.

“That 25 ft. circumference looked pretty big,” says Councilmember Colleen Labow. “You put it out on the lake and it’s a drop in the bucket.” 

Eco’ islands are artificial floating islands used as a low cost, sustainable method to improve water quality and mitigate storm water pollution. The man-made island is composed of woven and recycled plastic material which floats in the water.  Vegetation is planted and the root system removes nutrients from the water. 

Mold

Mold is another issue that grew into a greater discussion at the Nov. 23 council meeting.

Councilmember John Mania asks for an update on the “problematic room in the clerk’s office.”

“We are currently remediating the room,” says Tatarenko, adding that “within the next day or two I am anticipating the room to be completely fixed.”

He explains: “There was a small mold issue that we discovered on some of the old minute books so we are moving all the binders, replacing them with new ones. We are vacuuming everything in that storage room. We should be in good shape moving forward.” 

Questions Roman: “Did we ascertain what caused it? Are we looking at any mitigation factors to address it? Should we have a plan in place to investigate other areas of the building that maybe aren’t explored as often so that maybe we can identify other issues before they get worse?”

Tatarenko tells “Mt. Olive Online” that “Several old cloth minute binders were observed to have mold growing on the outside due to the moisture in the room back in October.

“An environmental specialist was contracted to test the air quality in the room and confirm the presence of mold,” he says.  “It was recommended to have the cloth binders professionally removed and the vault cleaned.  All safety precautions were taken and there was never a threat to the safety of our employees or residents.”

The mold is being cleaned up but the issue led to a larger discussion about digitalizing township records for better preservation.

“Are we looking to digitalize everything,” asks Nicastro?

Tatarenko responds explaining how the township administration started a pilot program in the construction department to see how the transfer of paper records to digital records goes. He says the plan is to move that process to other departments.

“We want to digitalize everything as some point,” says Labow. “Are we doing that now or are we still doing paper? It’s better to do that now. We don’t have to do all the old stuff and get to the new stuff.” 

Tatarenko explains that “some of the things we do get scanned in computer and get scanned electronically,” but still keep a hard copy as a permanent record. 

He explains that scanning in documents officially requires a certified process by the state with signatures.

Because of that, it “doesn’t mean we can destroy the paper unless we do it through a certified program which we are doing in the construction department,” explains Tatarenko. He says they are “starting to scan in old files.” Last year, they had a $50K budget for this process; this year, the township is budgeting another $50K.

“We are doing both,” says Tatarenko. “We’re accepting electronic papers and we’re still accepting paper permits.”

Asks Labow, “Why don’t we just go all electronics at this point? Even clerk’s office; why do we need to hold onto paper?” She says, instead of creating paper and more small cabinets, we should do all electronics.

Responds Tatarenko: “To do a small file cabinet is $50,000. I don’t disagree that it shouldn’t be done but where does it fall in line with all other projects?”

Michelle Masser, Mt. Olive Twp. clerk and council secretary, provides insight of the process.  

She says there is a scanning process that involves scanning records. “Minute books, resolutions and ordinances are permanent records. I’d have to look to see if things have changed,” but protocol has been “to keep original books with the original signatures.

“We need to do an update in my office,” Masser says. “We currently scan all of our minutes of our resolutions. PDF’s, you have to keep logs. There’s a lot that goes into the process. It requires hours of manpower to do it. We’ve been doing it over many years.

“Every meeting, we have a process,” continues Masser. “Everything gets scanned in, everything gets signed, resolutions and ordinances are numbered. Unfortunately, trying to get rid of paper completely is very difficult; it’s extremely costly. It’s not an easy process; it’s very lengthy.”

Mania then asks Masser “How are you and the other employees feeling health wise?”

Masser admits, “I haven’t been feeling so great, we are all tired. We have a lot of added work; we have to put back all of the books in the office. It’s very involved,” adding that they were not “allowed back in the vault yet,” and it will be “another week before the project is complete. We are not at our best.” 

Says Labow, “They need to clean that duct work; all the stuff moving around. Are they cleaning out the duct work?”

Tatarenko responds, “I don’t think this is the right forum for this discussion. There’s been plenty of tests and samples done in the building. There is no need for additional work.”

Towing Ordinance

At the Dec. 7 council meeting, Roman asks the council to consider increasing the township’s towing ordinance beyond a five-mile radius.

He  “asked us to review the towing ordinance, specifically, the requirement for the townships towing vendor to maintain a business within five miles of Townhall,” explains Tatarenko. “During this process, the police department is recommending other amendments.  Those include insurance requirements, safety measures and an increase in fees.

“It is not recommended to increase the five-mile distance as we feel it would jeopardize the level of service,” says Tatarenko.  “The towing vendor is used in most cases to remove a disabled vehicle from an accident and it is imperative that it is removed as quickly as possible.” 

Roman explains that his request to increase the radius came from an area towing company who was excluded from bidding for towing in the township because of the five-mile radius restriction.

Roman says that the five-mile radius is to town hall as opposed to the edge of town.

Mt. Olive Police Chief Stephen Beecher attended the last council meeting to provide some insight into the ordinance and respond to Roman’s concerns. Beecher says the bulk of accidents are on Rt. 206 and Rt. 46 corridors. Towing service has been needed mostly for these accidents.

“We did not do an audit of location of accidents, where they are in town,” he says.

He says that between Jan. through Nov. 30 this year there were almost 800 accidents, “traffic crashes in town we handled.”

Beeches advises against increasing the radius on the towing ordinance.

“This ordinance has been in place for quite some time,” says Beecher. “It’s not broke; I don’t see the need to fix it. Bills is the towing service, he says, because the other companies they had used in the past for towing are no longer offering towing services.

“We went with Bills because it’s been very responsive to our needs,” says Beecher. “Bills has been an adequate supplier of towing services in Mt. Olive.”

The towing ordinance with requested amendments is expected to be introduced to the council at its January meeting.

To see if other council members agree with Roman’s request to increase the mile radius for towing, Nicastro took a vote. All members agree to keep the mile radius to the five miles.