Freehold Area Bands Together to Fundraise for Haiti

The Freehold Borough and Freehold Township governments are co-sponsoring a charity breakfast and brunch for Haiti this weekend with help from South Gate Manor, representatives from the 12th Legislative District, and St. Rose of Lima Church.

St. Rose of Lima Church, which has a sister parish in Haiti, will donate proceeds from Sunday's brunch to help earthquake survivors.

South Gate Manor will donate all of the food for the $25 breakfast and $30 brunch this Sunday (prices are suggested donations), and all proceeds will be donated directly to St. Rose's sister parish in Port-Au-Prince.
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Township Reflects on Difficult Year, Makes Professional and Volunteer Appointments for 2010

-Kim Predham-

While reflecting on the "very challenging year" that was 2009, Township Committee members moved forward Jan. 5 with a slew of professional and volunteer appointments and the election of new leaders.

Avallone in her previous term as mayor, 2008.

Committeewoman Dorothy Avallone was chosen as the township's mayor for 2010, her eighth time in that role. Committeeman Anthony Ammiano, who served as mayor for part of 2009, will be this year's deputy mayor.
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Breaking News: Avallone Named New Mayor of Freehold Township

Deja vu all over again? Former Mayor and Committeewoman Dorothy Avallone has been named the new Mayor of Freehold Township, effective as of the Reorganization Meeting last night at Municipal Plaza.

The Township's most recent mayor, Anthony Ammiano, has been named Deputy Mayor. We'll have more in this story later today.

New Freehold Twp. hires to lose out on benefits

Posted via APP.com:

Come Jan. 1, new township hires will lose out on a special perk: retirement medical benefits.

The Township Committee voted Tuesday to restrict who can receive health benefits when they retire. They did so, officials have said, to contain the ever-growing costs of providing those benefits.
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Sewer hook-ups on tap

More than a dozen property owners are getting their wish, thanks to a cost-sharing program in Freehold Township.

The township recently completed construction of sewer lines that can serve 14 properties on East Freehold Road. Those property owners  currently use septic systems for their wastewater needs.

Not that exciting, you say? Perhaps not, but the the residents - who petitioned the township for the lines - may think differently.

None of the property owners are required to hook up to the sewer system, but all now have the option, according to township administrator Tom Antus.

All 14 will have to take on half of the $255,109 cost for constructing the lines. For each property owner, that comes out to approximately $911 per year, interest-free, for the next 10 years.

The township will cover the second half of the construction costs, Antus said.

The deal isn't exclusive to East Freehold Road residents. Anyone dissatisfied with their current system can ask the township to consider a switch to sewer, Antus said.

So - want sewer lines in your neighborhood? You just might get your wish.

Freehold Twp. picks new mayor

Freehold Township's new mayor, Anthony Ammiano (Image from twp.freehold.nj.us)

The Township Committee promoted Deputy Mayor Anthony Ammiano to mayor Tuesday night.

Fellow Township Committee member David Salkin also got bumped up to deputy mayor, in a reshuffling prompted by the death of Raymond Kershaw.

Kershaw, 67, died last month after a battle with thyroid cancer. The Township Committeeman had been serving this year as township mayor.

Kershaw's death has led to several changes in the town's leadership, as officials sought to fill the void he left.

Last week, Committee members appointed local businessman - and longtime Planning Board chair - Robert McGirr to Kershaw's vacated seat.

McGirr will also take Kershaw's place on the campaign trail this year. Kershaw had been running for re-election at the time of his death.

Freehold Twp. welcomes new Committeeman (UPDATED)

Freehold Township Clerk Terry Warner swears in new Committeeman Robert McGirr. Committeewoman Dorothy Avallone holds the Bible for McGirr. (Image courtesy of Freehold Township.)

Freehold Township's longtime Planning Board chair was chosen Tuesday night to replace Raymond Kershaw on the Township Committee.

"I'm honored and can only say thank you," Robert McGirr, 56, said Tuesday.

The Township Committee chose McGirr - owner of the Clayton and McGirr Funeral Home in Freehold Township - from a pool of three candidates nominated by a committee of local Republicans. He will serve out the rest of Kershaw's unexpired term, which ends this year.

Kershaw died last month after a battle with thyroid cancer.

For more about McGirr - and what's next for the Committee - read the full Asbury Park Press article here.

UPDATE:  A local Republican committee unanimously endorsed Robert McGirr Wednesday to replace Raymond Kershaw on the November ballot, according to township Republican municipal chair Tom Apostle.

McGirr will run in Kershaw's stead for a seat on the Township Committee.