Commuter parking to be allowed at fraternal club
BY DAVE BENJAMIN
Staff Writer

JACKSON — A commuter parking lot will be permitted to operate on the grounds of the Central Jersey Italian American Club, Christopher Columbus Boulevard and County Line Road.

The Township Council voted 4-0 on Dec. 12 to move forward with the agreement between the municipality and the nonprofit fraternal organization.

Council President Angelo Stallone, who is member of the club, abstained from the vote.

The council’s resolution allows for a portion of the club’s property to be used as a park and ride facility by residents who are commuters. In exchange for that consideration, the township will provide maintenance services on the club’s property (grass cutting and snow removal in the commuter parking area).

“Originally, there was a park and ride facility a short distance away on County Line Road,” Stallone said. “There was a formal agreement with the owner of that property, but the owner was not in favor of continuing to have the lot used for commuter parking.”

Stallone said he ran the idea of using the Italian American Club property by club President Joseph Riccardi and in turn Riccardi spoke to the board and the membership. In the end, all of the parties agreed to try out the arrangement for the next few years.

“They agreed to help the township alleviate the parking problem,” Stallone said. “There are about 50 to 60 people who will use the park and ride in that section of town.”

He said some commuters may walk to the Italian American Club and catch the bus, which will stop on Christopher Columbus Boulevard.

“It was nice of the Italian American Club to assist the township because they knew there were a number of people who were affected by the closing of the other park and ride,” Stallone said.

Riccardi said, “The club was asked by the township if we would allow the parking lot to be used for a park and ride because the other facility was no longer available.

“The town has always been great to us and we do a lot of civic and charitable things at the club, so this is just one more thing we absolutely were in favor of doing to help Jacksonites. We are a nonprofit civic organization. We are always willing to listen to any ideas that can help people,” he said.

At the present time there are no fees for parking at the facility. Stallone said officials are trying to avoid charging residents an administrative fee for a permit.

There is also a municipal park and ride facility at Exit 21 of Interstate 195 which is serviced by Academy during the morning and evening rush hours.