The township committee updated the ongoing issues involving energy company PSE&G at the Sept. 4 township committee meeting.
A group of residents of Packenah Trail came forward following a discussion with the township asking if the township would file a petition to hold off on any tree removal around their residential homes.
Currently, the company wants to completely eliminate the trees by clear-cutting the right-of-way by Indian Mills Road.
“PSE&G says that any of the trees that grow over three to 10 feet directly under the wire are limiting and will be removed. That includes every oak, every pine, every cherry in that area,” said township administrator Sue Onorato at the Aug. 7 meeting originally addressing the problem with PSE&G.
Following research on possible litigation against the energy company, the township decided to back down and move forward with a different route involving the residents.
“The residents have been really instrumental in doing some legwork and we thank them for that,” said Onorato.
The residents will be filing a petition with the NJ Board of Public Utilities, the authority over PSE&G.
“Public utilities seems like the best option and we’ll see where that takes us,” said Onorato
Currently, there is no back up plan if the Board of Public Utilities doesn’t come through for the residents.
The township’s homes were reassessed and the process wrapped with a high success rate. The township was able to use township tax assessor Jay Renwick to complete the assessment.
“It was important to get it right. It started with the township committee getting the township map updated. We decided to stay in-house and Jay took pride in what he was doing,” Onorato said.
The township was able to assess 92 percent of the residents in Shamong.
“The process went smoothly. Approximately 50 appeals were filed and were resolved before it went to appeals,” Onorato said.
The township obtained $7,600 in tax revenue from the reassessment.
“I think there were 300 meetings with the tax assessors. I think it was good considering there wasn’t a reassessment since ’89,” Onorato said.
The previously discussed 7 Oil matter was resolved at the meeting as well.
“We’ve been trying to get them [7 Oil] to put down an escrow to cover any damage as a result of the oil spill,” Onorato said. “They will be taking care of the costs the township incurred while investigating. At this point in time what our professionals tell us, this will all we need to do regarding this issue.”
In other news: Waste Management is stepping forward in an effort to be hired by the residents of Shamong. The waste company will be sending out mailers for their trash removal service.
Two recognitions were made at the meeting of Boy Scout Troop 47, earning the William T. Hornaday Award. The troop, consisting of 17 boys and 13 adults collected 325 Christmas Trees totaling 5.13 tons of recycling material. The troop saved the township 40 hours of labor.
Additionally, Robert Marsh was recognized for his donation of a dogwood tree he planted to honor past and present Shamong Township municipal employees.
“He should definitely be commended when stepped forward. When Bill Gardner died, rather than just dedicated the tree to him, which was the initial inspiration, he decided to dedicate it to past and current employees,” said Onorato. “It’s certainly nice he would honor past and present employees.”
The next township committee meeting will be held Sept. 25 at 7:30 p.m. in the municipal building located at 105 Willow Grove Rd.
