The West Long Branch Police Department and PBA Local 141 will be celebrating the career of Chief Arthur N. Cosentino with a Retirement Party on Friday, February 15, 2013 (rescheduled from February 8).
Chief Cosentino dedicated nearly 37 years of service to the Borough of West Long Branch. His achievements and contributions to law enforcement and public safety are numerous and he served with considerable distinction in Monmouth County.
This retirement event will take place from 6:30 PM until 10:30 PM at Branches Catering,
123 Monmouth Road, West Long Branch, New Jersey.
Tickets are $65 per person and can be obtained through Sergeant Jim Gomez or Lieutenant Paul Habermann at 732-229-5000.
Checks should be made payable to PBA Local 141.
September 10, 2012
Dear Resident:
Perhaps you have heard about the New Jersey State Senate having rushed legislation through in the final week of the legislative session this past June. That bill (S-1534), which would exempt private colleges and universities from municipal zoning, was opposed by our Senator Beck. Though I and the Borough Council immediately voiced our opposition to this bill, prior to the hastily-taken vote, the legislation did pass the New Jersey Senate.
This legislation (A-2586) is now headed for hearing before the New Jersey State Assembly. Your Borough Council and I have already made our strong opposition known to our Assemblywomen (Mary Pat Angelini and Caroline Casagrande). We now look for your assistance in voicing your opposition as well.
If this legislation is passed by the Assembly, it will then go to Governor Christie for signature and final adoption. Should it reach that stage, we will be taking our strong opposition with the Governor's office as well, and we hope you will also.
As neighbors to Monmouth University, I am sure we need not explain to you what that means. In simple terms, no use variances would be needed when the university seeks to develop property for its purposes.
This legislation would treat private colleges and universities differently than other inherently beneficial uses, such as hospitals, care centers, senior citizen housing and schools. There is no justifiable reason why private colleges and universities should be treated differently than other inherently beneficial uses.
Though the Borough has had a good relationship with Monmouth University in the past, it is based on mutual respect by one of the other. It does not prioritize the Borough over the University, or vice versa. This proposed legislation would upset that balance.
In addition, Monmouth University, as well as other private colleges and universities, could expand, with the resultant increased demands for parking, traffic, police protection and fire protection. This legislation would not only affect current property owned and used by private colleges and universities, but any property which they might acquire in the future. Such a free pass would likely adversely impact residential neighborhoods.
A corollary issue concerns taxation. Many private colleges and universities own property which is tax exempt. Though not all of Monmouth University's property is tax exempt, the bulk of it is. By removing the requirements to comply with municipal zoning regulations, the University would be able to purchase properties, use them for university purposes, and seek a tax exemption for them. Once that exemption is granted the Borough would no longer be entitled to any municipal tax on the property and would, effectively, lose a ratable.
The West Long Branch Council and I have stood strongly against this legislation, as have the Mayors of 14 other municipalities in New Jersey which house private colleges and universities. The New Jersey State League of Municipalities, as well as other planning organizations, has also made their voices heard in opposition to this legislation.
This letter is being sent to our residents to make them aware of this proposed legislation and to solicit support in contacting our Assemblypersons and, for that matter, other members of the New Jersey General Assembly, to make them aware of your opposition. If the squeaky wheel really does get the oil, we hope that you will speak loudly with the Council and me on this subject.
Below is a link for the email addresses of the current members of the New Jersey General Assembly. If you wish to email them your thoughts, you may use these addresses, but just make sure to include our local Assemblywomen as well.
Thank you.
Very truly yours,
JANET W. TUCCI, Mayor
Click to open list of NJ General Assembly e-mail addresses