Hazlet Takes Action Against Contractor For Unfinished Sidewalk Project

Township Committee says contractor has left the job, putting its federal grant at risk.

Hazlet Township says it will begin the default process against A Montone Construction (AMC) of Cliffwood, which it says has walked away from a nearly finished sidewalk installation project near the Beers Street School.  The project to install 2,400 linear feet of sidewalks along Bedle Road, Peach Drive, and Knoll Terrace to Holmdel Road apparently came to a halt about a month ago. Orange cones are clustered on the side of the road, and workers haven't been seen in weeks. "The biggest problem now is that I can’t close the project out in order to get funding from DOT," said Deputy Mayor Michael Sachs, the liaison to the Dept. of Public Works. "The contractor has refused to come back to finish the project."  The Township Committee said its …

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Martin B. Brilliant

8:26 am on Sunday, December 9, 2012

Jeff, we the people pay for the work done whether it's in the initial contract or added later. It did cost more because the engineers had to go back to the drawing board. But the basic problem is that the contractor is only responsible for what's listed in the contract. If the township signs a flawed contract, it's the township's error: yours, mine, and the people we elected to represent us.   more ›

Hurricane Sandy

Raine Foundation Musters An Instant Army of Vounteers; 18K Hot Meals Delivered By Lunchtime

A bustling makeshift operation at the Beers Street School succeeds in bringing much-needed relief to Bayshore victims of Hurricane Sandy.

Energy was high inside the Beers Street School in Hazlet Sunday, with 200 volunteers busy putting sorting donations, putting hot meals together, and talking about their concern for the Bayshore victims of Hurricane Sandy.  The Hazlet-based Raine Foundation, at the invitation of Hazlet Township Office of Emergency Management, is endeavoring to meet the urgent needs of people in Keyport, Keansburg, and Union Beach as the temperature dips and a nor'easter looms for mid-week.  Raine Foundation co-founder Patti Dickens said the group had prepared nearly 18,000 meals by lunchtime on Sunday. Mike Fabozzi, Raine Foundation President, said, "People are running out of food that they have saved, and a lot of people are being told they have to leave …

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Hazlet PD Charges Two With Heroin In School Zone, Intent to Sell

Two Hazlet men were arrested in a motor vehicle stop near the Beers Street School, an upper elementary school.

Two Hazlet men have been arrested and charged with possession of heroin with intent to distribute following a motor vehicle stop on Beers Street on August 22. Because they were arrested near the Beers Street Elementary School, they were also slapped with possession while within a school zone. According to the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office, Bret Toms, 53, of Racoon Drive is accused of conspiring with Sean Moynahan, 29, of Carriage Drive to distribute heroin, a controlled dangerous substance, a third degree offense.  Police also charged Toms with possessing heroin with the intent to distribute, while within 1,000 feet of a school, also a third degree offense.  The quantity was described by police as less than 5 ounces. Heroin is …

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Popular Hazlet Principal Moves On to Matawan

Marc Natanagara is taking a position in the central office, as assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction.

The longtime principal of Hazlet's Beers Street School gave a farewell to students and staff today. Marc Natanagara said he has accepted a new position with the Matawan-Aberdeen Regional School District as Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction. His appointment was finally approved by the Board of Education there, at a Monday night meeting where the long agenda stretched on past midnight.  "I really want to have a sphere of influence over many schools, rather than just one," said Natanagara, who has been principal at Beers Street School since 2001. "I've been getting more involved in issues beyond the building, like teacher evaluation and common course standards."  Beers Street School is one of two district schools serving…

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