The HOWELL Times
Vol. 20 - No. 35
In This Week’s Edition
MICROMEDIA PUBLICATIONS
JERSEYSHOREONLINE.COM
Restored Tracks Will Return Some Train Service Through Howell
BREAKING NEWS @
jerseyshoreonline.com
Community News Pages 6-7
Dear Pharmacist Page 13
Classifieds Page 15
Inside The Law Page 17
–Photo by Stephanie Faughnan Anthony Ribera poses by the old ticket booth that once served Howell. By Stephanie Faughnan HOWELL – The “clickety-clack” sound of train wheels rolling over the rails stopped on Howell Road more than a few decades ago. While the tracks remained intact, an overgrowth of brush camouflaged their existence – something about to change.
Chesapeake and Delaware, LLC serves as the current owners of the rail lines and have contracted to clear the tracks so they can be put back into operation. Unfortunately, no one from the company responded to requests for further information. The plan appears to include clearing the ten miles (Train - See Page 2)
State To Investigate Monmouth County 2022 General Election
By Alyssa Riccardi MONMOUTH COUNTY – Former Attorney General and federal prosecutor Peter C. Harvey will be investigating the administration of the November 2022 General Election in Monmouth County due to alleged voting machine irregularities, officials said. “Protecting New Jerseyans’ right to vote in a free and fair election is paramount to
our democracy, and ensuring the integrity of that process is essential,” Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin said. “Based on public reports regarding the 2022 General Election in Monmouth County, a full investigation is warranted to encourage and preserve public trust in our elections, including recommendations for reforms to benefit the conduct of contests statewide.” “Elections are the cornerstone of our
democracy, and our elections must always be free and fair,” said Sundeep Iyer, Director of the Division on Civil Rights. “It is critical that our elections comply with all applicable civil rights laws. Voters in New Jersey deserve no less. I am grateful for Attorney General Platkin’s continued leadership in protecting the right to vote.” Investigation was probed after reports (Investigate - See Page 2)
February 4, 2023
Farming ‘Lessons’ Not Permitted In Land Use Case By Stephanie Faughnan HOWELL – Sprouts, a private membership association (“PMA”) which leased farmland to enhance children’s knowledge about agriculture, suffered a legal blow in court. A Monmouth County Superior Court judge agreed with Howell Township officials that Sprouts’ use of the property was not permitted under its local ordinances. Sprouts is one of four farms located at 505 Newtons Corner Road and falls in the ARE-2 Agricultural Zone for agricultural and horticultural uses. The local ordinance specifies other permitted and conditional uses of property within the zone, all seemingly unrelated to how Sprouts used their leased farm. Howell brought the case against Sprouts after witnessing children on the farm during the school day. The majority of the youngsters who participate in the PMA are homeschooled by their families. No claims have been made suggesting truancy prompted the legal action. Judge Lourdes Lucas took over an hour to deliver a detailed legal opinion after reviewing briefs submitted on behalf of the parties. “The defendants (Sprouts) argued that its members meet on the farm for agricultural purposes and to communicate knowledge and information about farming and agriculture to its member children,” said Lucas. “Sprouts maintains that the township has not shown that Sprouts members using the land to gather and engage in agricultural activities and pass on knowledge about agricultural is incompatible with the permitted land use.” Howell Township’s definition of agricultural and horticultural mirrors New Jersey’s Farmland Assessment Act, which includes using land to produce plants and animals useful to man. Livestock and crops serve as examples of what meets the criteria for determining what falls into the agricultural criteria. Among other things, the Sprouts Farm serves as home to some chickens, goats, and pigs. However, that’s not what is in dispute as it pertains to the permitted use under zoning laws. (Farming - See Page 4)
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