County of Monmouth

For Immediate Release:
January 17, 2025

Planning Board presents 2024 Merit Awards

FREEHOLD, NJ – The Monmouth County Board of County Commissioners joined the Monmouth County Planning Board to honor six organizations with 2024 Merit Awards during a Planning Board meeting held in December.

“On behalf of the Monmouth County Board of County Commissioners, I want to congratulate our award recipients and thank the Planning Board for recognizing the incredible work being done to strengthen our communities,” said Commissioner Director Thomas A. Arnone. “We’re especially grateful to the organizations that continue to make our County stand out, inspiring others to pursue the highest standards in planning.”

“The Planning Board has done a remarkable job identifying plans, projects, and organizations that bring value to Monmouth County through the 2024 Merit Awards,” said Commissioner Ross F. Licitra, a member of the Monmouth County Planning Board. “Thank you to all the organizations that submitted an application and we invite those interested in applying for an award in 2025 to contact the Planning Board to get more information.”

“Planning is vital to the future of Monmouth County,” said Commissioner Erik Anderson, liaison to the Monmouth County Planning Board. “The work of the Monmouth County Planning Board and organizations like the recipients of the Merit Awards helps to ensure a resilient, thriving community for years to come.”

The 2024 Monmouth County Merit Awards were presented to:

Nominated for Historic Preservation

Central Jersey Bank and Trust Clock:

In recognition of the collaborative restoration of a historic symbol in Downtown Freehold Borough. In the late summer of 2022 the clock was struck by a truck, leaving it damaged. The community of Freehold Borough reacted immediately as residents asked Borough Council members what their plan was to fix the clock. The Historic Preservation Committee got to work and through their initial research, discovered the clock was more than 100 years old. Freehold resident and business owner Jim LaPointe took on this task and ensured the clock was restored to its former glory. Not only was the clock restored aesthetically, but it now tells the correct time.

Farmingdale Firehouse:

In recognition of renovations to an early 20th century firehouse that will allow for the continued provision of fire safety services to the residents Farmingdale and surrounding communities, while maintaining the building’s historic character consistent with that of Borough. Improvements included construction of a new pier/column to meet the safety requirements, new garage doors, man doors, new windows, renovation of the building facade and other miscellaneous improvements that will allow for the continued use of the building by the Fire Department.

Nominated for Environmental Sustainability and Resiliency

REPI:

In recognition of land preservation to preserve open space and promote resiliency in the vicinity of Naval Weapons Station Earle (NWS Earle) and the government/nonprofit partnership to achieve those goals. In 2018, the Monmouth Conservation Foundation and Monmouth County signed an agreement with the U.S. Department of the Navy to permanently protect land in the vicinity of NWS Earle through the purchase of easements. In 2023, the Monmouth Conservation Foundation acquired the first conservation and agricultural easement in Monmouth County through the REPI program. The Foundation crafted this Monmouth County-specific easement with the help of its project partners. The result was the preservation of a 20-acre wooded parcel in Howell along Brickyard Road that lies adjacent to NWS Earle.

Native Plant Propagation:

In recognition of the propagation of native plants that enhance the resiliency of Monmouth County’s parks and landscapes and the presentation of the program’s results to other landscape professionals. Representatives of the Rutgers Cooperative Extension worked with the Monmouth County Park System to collect seeds and cuttings from County parks and propagate them at the Rutgers Specialty Crop Research and Extension Center in Cream Ridge. Data was collected about the propagation methods for each species, then the plants were put into field trials to evaluate them based on their performance and suitability for the landscape market. The results were then shared with industry professionals.

Nominated for Creativity and Innovation

Pinwheel Place:

In recognition of providing licensed emergency and respite childcare to families in need.

Pinwheel Place is a nonprofit that offers free, licensed emergency and respite childcare to families in need. Services include emergency care and providing essential support like diapers, clothing and baby supplies. Pinwheel Place operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week providing a safe, confidential and judgment-free environment staffed by highly trained employees and volunteers. Pinwheel Place was the first crisis nursery in the state.

Monmouth Arts Creative Expressions Arts and Wellness Program:

In recognition of providing an accessible mental health and arts programs to all individuals, regardless of physical, economic or cultural obstacles. The Monmouth Arts Creative Expressions Arts and Wellness Program delivers essential mental health and wellness services through the arts programs, ensuring inclusivity and accessibility for individuals of all abilities, economic backgrounds and cultural experiences.

The Planning Board established the Merit Awards Program in 1984 to recognize those plans, projects, programs, individuals, municipalities, businesses, community leaders and stakeholder organizations that have made a significant contribution to the advancement of planning and planning outcomes in Monmouth County.

For more information, go to www.visitmonmouth.com or call the Monmouth County Division of Planning at 732-431-7460.

 
FREEHOLD, NJ – The restoration of the Central Jersey Bank and Trust Clock in Downtown Freehold Borough received a 2024 Merit Award from the Monmouth County Planning Board. The project was nominated in the historic preservation category. Photo by Monmouth County Government.
 
 
 
FREEHOLD, NJ – Renovations to the Farmingdale firehouse received a 2024 Merit Award from the Monmouth County Planning Board. The project was nominated in the historic preservation category. Photo by Monmouth County Government.
 
 
 
FREEHOLD, NJ – A land preservation project in the vicinity of Naval Weapons Station Earle that was a partnership between the Monmouth Conservation Foundation and Monmouth County received a 2024 Merit Award from the Monmouth County Planning Board. The project was nominated in the environmental sustainability and resiliency category. Photo by Monmouth County Government.
 
 
FREEHOLD, NJ – A program sponsored by Pinwheel Place that provides licensed emergency and respite childcare to families in need received a 2024 Merit Award from the Monmouth County Planning Board. The project was nominated in the creativity and innovation category. Photo by Monmouth County Government.
 
 
FREEHOLD, NJ – A program sponsored by the Monmouth Arts Creative Expressions Arts and Wellness Program that provides accessible mental health and arts programs to all individuals regardless of physical, economic or cultural obstacles received a 2024 Merit Award from the Monmouth County Planning Board. The project was nominated in the creativity and innovation category. Photo by Monmouth County Government.
 
 
FREEHOLD, NJ – A native plant propagation program that will enhance the resiliency of Monmouth County’s parks and landscapes received a 2024 Merit Award from the Monmouth County Planning Board. The project was nominated in the environmental sustainability and resiliency category. Photo by Monmouth County Government.
 
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