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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