Plumsted restricts pedophiles

PLUMSTED — Despite a recent state Appellate Division ruling that determined New Jersey's Megan's Law is all-encompassing and that local ordinances enforcing residency limits for sex offenders conflict with the law's intent, the Township Committee has no intention to relax any of its local restrictions on convicted sex offenders residing in Plumsted, according to Mayor Ron Dancer.

Megan's Law requires convicted sex offenders to register with the state and in some cases provides for community notification of an individual's residency in a municipality.

At present, under the conditions of Plumsted's Sex Offender Residency Restrictions Ordinance, any and all convicted sex offenders who, as a result of their conviction, are subject to the state's Registration and Notification Release Act, are prohibited from residing within 2,500 feet of any Plumsted school, park, playground or day care center.

At a recent meeting of the Township Committee, the members of the governing body unanimously passed a resolution supporting and urging the state Legislature to pass Assembly bills A285/A526 to make it unlawful, statewide, for a sexual offender convicted under Megan's Law to reside near areas where children regularly meet or congregate.

"There is no greater public safety priority than the protection and welfare of our children," said Dancer, who serves in the state Assembly as a representatives of the 30th District.

In other business, Dancer said the Township Committee has authorized the advertisement and receipt of bids for the maintenance (grass mowing, trimming, etc.) of certain public grounds, including the recreation fields and parks. The bid specification package is available at the township clerk's office, 121 Evergreen Road, without charge, to anyone interested in submitting a bid to the township. All bids must be submitted to the township clerk no later than 9:30 a.m. Oct. 22, at which time the bids received will be opened.

The mayor said township officials are considering the cost effectiveness of contracting out snow plowing and salting services for the public parking lots and public building areas. Anyone interested should contact the township's finance office at 609- 758-2241, ext. 114. Any business people who may have an interest in providing services or supplies to the township are encouraged to also contact the finance office to be qualified for placement on the quote and bid call sheet list.

And, New Egypt's annual Fall Harvest Fest and craft show will take place on Nov. 2 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The festival will take place in downtown New Egypt and will be held in conjunction with the New Egypt Volunteer Fire Company's fried oyster dinner. Display and vendor registration in advance is required. For more information, contact Lori Parsells at 609-758-7461.