Project will get close look from town panels

This is in response to the (News Transcript’s Oct. 1) editorial on the presentation given to the Manal-apan Township Committee for a proposed plan for the current Village Center Zone on Route 33.

As the current mayor of Manalapan, I would like to assure residents that the proposed The Village at Manalapan project will receive the highest scrutiny by our Planning Board, Township Committee, Shade Tree Commission and all other relevant township offices before the developer can "put shovel to ground."

As I am sure residents understand, the first step in the process is for the project to come before the Planning Board.

At that level, the project will be measured for compliance with our local ordinances and state law.

Although the proponents of the project came before the Township Committee to give an overview of what they were proposing, the comments made by members of the Township Committee regarding the project should not be construed as an endorsement of the project of any kind.

The village center proposal, like any other, must withstand the full scrutiny of Manalapan’s development approval process, with full input from the public, before going forward.

Drew Shapiro

Mayor

Manalapan