The HOWELL Times
Vol. 20 - No. 37
MICROMEDIA PUBLICATIONS
JERSEYSHOREONLINE.COM
Beyond The Keyboard:
In This Week’s Edition
Tales Of A Local Writer’s Club
By Stephanie Faughnan HOWELL – A medley of writers gather at the local library once a month and take the solitude out of their creative endeavors. The four who made it to the February meeting of the Monmouth Writers came from backgrounds as varied as their imaginative works. Outsiders might wonder what a college professor, a self-proclaimed trophy husband, a one-time science journalist, and a nonprofit leader have in common. As writers, the group shares a common bond in stringing words together to paint vivid pictures. Their agreement to exchange feedback serves to augment the limitations of self-assessment – and
BREAKING NEWS @
jerseyshoreonline.com
Community News Pages 7-9
(Club - See Page 3)
Inside The Law Page 12
Dear Pharmacist Page 13
Classifieds Page 15
–Photos by Stephanie Faughnan (Above) A newcomer to the group, Susan Flynn, just donated her “A Journey into Serenity: A Personal Path to Self-Transformation” to the local library. (Right) Anne Morris provides some constructive criticism to James Netterwald, a songwriter and musician
Students Honored For Winning International Contests
By Alyssa Riccardi HOWELL – Several students were recently honored for placing in the 6th Annual Howell Optimist Club Essay and Oratorical Contests. Every year, the contest is held in partnership between the Howell Optimist Club, Howell Alliance, and Howell Township Public Schools. Farmingdale School has participated the past two years. The goal of the contests is to tie the Alliance’s prevention and well-being mission to the contests’ (Contests - See Page 4)
–Photo courtesy Howell Alliance Pictured are the 10 oratorical contestants selected based on their speech submission.
February 18, 2023
Council Approves Town Manager’s $195K Contract
By Stephanie Faughnan HOWELL – The Township Council voted to approve Township Manager Joseph Clark’s contract with a starting salary of $195,000. The township manager runs the day-today operations of the town. Clark’s tenure as township manager formally began on December 14, 2022, although he previously served as both acting and interim township manager starting last spring. For the five years prior, Clark was the Township’s inhouse legal counsel. The employment agreement approved unanimously by the three council members present at the February 7 meeting and became retroactive to Clark’s start date as township manager. According to state law, the employment of the township manager is considered indefinite with specific parameters. Clark must give 60 days’ notice should he decide to resign voluntarily. Should the Township decide to terminate Clark’s employment, the Council must pass a resolution at least 30 days before its effective date stating the reasons for his removal. The Township Manager would then be suspended and entitled to a public hearing. The removal process might sound familiar to Howell residents as it’s how the lead position in local government became open in the first place. Clark stepped in when the governing body decided to terminate Brian Geoghegan in his role as township manager. Some of the other terms of the employment agreement with Clark include the following: • Annual reviews on or before the end of each calendar year. He will be entitled to the same raises provided to other employees in the Teamsters bargaining unit. • Council maintains the option of conducting a performance review associated with a salary change at any time. • Township health benefits with personal contributions. • Continued enrollment in the Township’s deferred comp and retirement savings plans. • Enrollment in the state pension plan should Clark become eligible. (Approves - See Page 2)
TO ADVERTISE, CALL 732-657-7344 EXT. 206