Engineer to address flooding BY KATHY BARATTA Staff Writer MANALAPAN - Township Engineer Greg Valesi will meet with a project engineer in order to begin the process of remediating a flooding culvert problem on Woodward Road. Valesi confirmed to the News Transcript that a problem exists relating to drainage from The Meadows, a residential development being constructed on Woodward Road by K Hovnanian. According to Valesi, standing water at the development site has become a problem because the end of the drainage pipe that was installed by the developer to move water from the site rests lower than the grade of the soil at that point. Noting that the culvert where the pipe was installed is actually Monmouth County land, Valesi said, "It clearly has to be addressed." Valesi told the Township Committee at its Nov. 7 meeting that he believes the solution is to redesign the end position of the pipe to redirect the water to wetlands at the back of the property. He said he would meet with a representative of Menlo Engineering in order to begin addressing the situation. Also speaking about the situation at the Nov. 7 meeting was resident Tom Hackman. Hackman, who lives at the intersection of McCaffery and Woodward roads, said he is concerned that any remediation that is done at the K Hovnanian site will end up flooding his property and other neighboring properties. Hackman disputed officials' statements about a stream at the back of the wetlands being a natural body of water. He said it had been constructed at some time in the past by the Army Corps of Engineers. Valesi said Hackman's concerns and those of his neighbors are unfounded and that the stream in question is adequate to the needs of the situation. He said once the land is properly graded and the water redirected, neighboring properties should not expect to be adversely affected. At the same meeting the members of the Township Committee made several appointments for municipal committees and boards. Zoning Board of Adjustment alternate member Eve Zucker-Strauss was named a regular member of the board. She takes the place of Arthur Tortorelli, who resigned. Sarah Lazar was appointed as the recording secretary for the Environmental Commission. John Castronovo was appointed to the Transportation Committee to fill the unexpired term of Gerald Bruno. And, an application for anyone who is interested in serving on a municipal board or committee is now available online at Manalapan's Internet Web site. Mayor Andrew Lucas announced that Manalapan is currently accepting resumes and proposals from professionals (i.e. attorneys, planners, engineers) who wish to be considered for positions with the municipality in 2008. The professionals are expected to submit their information by Nov. 28. A Township Committee meeting is scheduled for that evening.