Town still pursuing shared services
BY MARK ROSMAN Staff Writer

MANALAPAN - Township Committeeman Richard Klauber announced at the Sept. 5 meeting of the governing body that a shared services agreement under development between the township and the Manalapan-Englishtown Regional School District was gaining momentum following a recent meeting.

The meeting included Manalapan municipal officials, school district administrators and municipal officials from neighboring Millstone Township.

Noting that the K-8 regional school district that serves Manalapan and Englishtown spends more than $1 million annually on electric costs, Klauber, who made solar energy initiatives a campaign promise, said discussions regarding the installation of solar energy packages in the schools have been encouraging.

Klauber said he would be contacting state officials to find out about the "red tape that constrains schools" in order to help the shared services agreement move forward.

Noting as he has in the past that regardless of whether bills are accrued by the township or by the school district it is the taxpayers who pay, Klauber said the recent meeting was the first of several that will be held on the issue.

"We spend a lot of money. We're looking for ways to save," he said, adding that he will also be taking a look at the energy efficiency of the municipal building.

In another matter, Klauber said the planned construction of a first aid and fire company building adjacent to town hall is moving forward. He said an architect has drafted plans regarding the proposed size and probable costs of the project; costs which Klauber said "came in at a reasonable amount that was lower than what had been expected."

Deputy Mayor Michelle Roth announced that a Sept. 5 meeting with former symphony board director George Hicks produced the documentation the committee had been waiting for in order to pay outstanding invoices connected with the Manalapan Battleground Symphony.

The bills included payments for musicians who had performed with the symphony. Municipal officials said they were waiting for a breakdown of the expenses being submitted for payment before approving the vouchers.