Freehold Township approves $16.37M bills list, adopts easement ordinance; residents press officials on development and park safety

The Freehold Township Committee on May 26 unanimously adopted Ordinance O-26-20, accepting landscape and pedestrian-access easements for Block 80, New Lot 38 at 3479 Route 9, and approved a Consolidated Bills List totaling $16,368,266.41.

The Committee, led by Mayor Preston and four committee members (Ammiano, Cook, Fasano and Walker), enacted a multi-item consent agenda covering professional services contracts, developer agreements for sites including 865 NJ 33 SD, LLC and 315 West Main Street (a proposed 3,500-square-foot dental-office addition), extension of various municipal contracts, a wireless-facilities modification application for T-Mobile, and a grant application to the New Jersey Department of Transportation for the Lancaster Road resurfacing project. The motions passed by roll call vote with all five members voting yes.

Mr. Cook read Resolution R-26-107, the Consolidated Bills List, and moved for adoption; the vote was AYES: Mr. Ammiano, Mr. Cook, Mrs. Fasano, Mr. Walker and Mayor Preston. Mr. Walker moved to adopt Ordinance O-26-20, seconded by Mr. Cook; that motion also passed unanimously.

The Committee moved Ordinance O-26-21—a redevelopment plan for Block 83, Lots 5 and 6 under the Local Redevelopment and Housing Law (N.J.S.A. 40A:12A-1 et seq.)—to a public hearing on June 23, 2026. Township Attorney Mr. Ball advised tabling Resolution R-26-120 indefinitely; the motion to table was approved by unanimous vote.

During the public-comment period, residents voiced concerns about commercial and residential growth, traffic congestion along Route 9 and Route 537, and the loss of green space. Johanna Karr of Applegate Drive asked whether the developer agreement for 865 NJ 33 SD, LLC represented new construction and urged the Committee to limit further development. Township Administrator Mr. Valesi explained that the owner is subdividing an existing 8.95-acre parcel to create two commercial lots on Route 33 and Crow Hill Road.

Several speakers raised neighborhood- and safety-focused complaints. Eula Morris said trees removed near Irwin Toyota left her home exposed to dealership floodlights: “My house looks like a Christmas display.” Mayor Preston said he had received Morris’s letter only minutes before the meeting and would review it; Mr. Valesi asked Morris to leave contact information so staff could follow up.

Michael Murphy said his wife received a ticket on May 1 that he called “ridiculous,” and he questioned why enforcement appears inconsistent. Mayor Preston asked whether the matter had been resolved in court; officials said Lieutenant Kenneth Kleinman had sent an OPRA response but Mr. Murphy said the link did not open. The Mayor asked staff to follow up to confirm the response had been received.

Luis Esteves, speaking about the Lake Topanemus area along the Robertsville border, described repeated incidents of public intoxication, vandalism and threats near residents’ homes and said many people now avoid the park. He asked for “increased visible and proactive police patrols in and around Lake Topanemus several times each day.” Mayor Preston said he would ask the Chief of Police to increase patrols and expressed sympathy for those affected, but added that major capital improvements to the park would be costly and that Freehold Borough owns the park property, so any County takeover would require Borough action. Township staff noted lights and surveillance cameras have been installed but are not monitored 24/7.

The meeting also included ceremonial business: Mayor Preston presented a proclamation recognizing June 7 as Tourette Syndrome Awareness Day to Jonathan Glick and a proclamation for Freehold First Aid & Emergency Squad Volunteers Month in June. Police Chief George Baumann commended officers who received citations for individual and unit accomplishments.

The Committee thanked attendees and adjourned at 8:37 p.m. Officials said they will follow up on resident letters and the OPRA/ticket issue, and will pursue additional police patrols in response to park-safety concerns.