Andover budget adoption postponed until June 25

ANDOVER — The amended 2012 Andover Township municipal budget was tabled at the committee's most recent meeting due to lack of full committee presence. Mayor Mike Lensak was absent from Monday’s meeting, causing the council to schedule another public hearing on June 25 and postpone the adoption until then.

The proposed affordable housing project at St. Paul's Abbey is looking for state funding. All parties, including the engineer and developers, have met to discuss specific costs.

“We have officially asked Senator Oroho in a formal letter for $5 million from the New Jersey Housing Trust Fund," said Deputy Mayor Gail Phoebus. "We will wait to see what we get."

“There are many municipalities that didn’t collect their money from the state," said municipal attorney Fred Semrau. "This is a great opportunity for the township to fulfill its obligation of affordable housing on a beautiful property where people will want to live. But without the funding, it’s not feasible.”

Eric Derby of the environmentally-geared Andover Green Team gave an enthusiastic report on progress the township is making in environmental sustainability. “It’s an honor and a privilege to be reporting to you," said Derby. "I am proud to report that the farmers market held earlier in the year was a great success and will be held again in August. We have built a community garden on Pierce Road in Sunset Farms. All of the food from the garden will be donated to food pantry at the Bodhi monastery in Lafayette.”

Derby also reported that the Green Team is on the verge of being eligible for grant money.

Committee member Tom Walsh gave a special note of thanks to Debbie Danielson of the Lackawanna Little league board. Danielson spearheaded the construction of a new snack facility at Hillside Park. Through donations and fundraising, two storage sheds were removed and a new maintenance-free pole barn made of metal was erected.

Landscaping work was donated by Grinell, and the project is near completion and will be ready for the district all stars in the beginning of July.

“I received complete support from the DPW, town council and many people," said Danielson. "We are hoping to make back the money through the concession side we are ready to go for the all stars,” said Danielson.

Walsh said the project would have been impossible without Danielson.

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