Little Silver Notebook: Salerno to Lead OEM

During a workshop session of the regular Little Silver mayor and council meeting at last week, Police Officer Frank Salerno offered to take on the role of the town's Office of Emergency Management (OEM) Coordinator, a position .

"It's extra duty, he might be regretting it, but he's doing it at no extra charge, and I think that's commendable," Mayor Robert C. Neff, Jr. said.

Police Chief Dan Shaffery said Thursday that he believed it had been formalized that Salerno would be heading the department.

Police T1 Line to be Removed at Savings to Borough

Shaffery reported to council that the T1 Internet line which connects the police department with Monmouth County Police Radio (MCPR) will not be used after 2012.

He said if the department were to continue using the line after this year, the price of the service would skyrocket from $400 a month to nearly $1000, as a discounted price Verizon gave to a pool of all 52 Monmouth County towns is expiring.

Shaffery said the department is planning to purchase a designated router with a 4G backup to take the T1 line's place.

"We'll be spending a little bit of money in the beginning to buy the improved router that will work with [MCPR]," said Shaffery, who said the switch will deliver more than $400 in monthly savings.

Alderbrook Residents Unhappy About Sheehan Route

Mayor Neff reported to council that the George Sheehan Classic five mile run has submitted their annual request to run the race through town in the early Summer. Runners would follow the traditional route, entering town from Red Bank on Branch Avenue, up Woodbine Avenue, then on to Prospect Avenue and down Harding Road past .

Neff said some residents of the Alderbrook townhouse community on Harding Avenue have expressed displeasure about being unable to get out of their development during the morning and early afternoon hours, when Harding Road is closed.

Race Director Phil Hinck agreed to meet with Alderbrook residents, which Neff said he would be arrange before council signed off on any approval.

Plans Discussed for Train Station Concession Stand

Council also worked on establishing a minimum bid to lease the currently vacant concession stand inside the train station.

After some debate, council decided to set the minimum bid to lease the concession area at $900. Prospective leaseholders will be able to use the 115 square feet currently available or expand the concessions area to 200 square feet.

"Below [$1000], I'd rather leave it empty quite frankly, and put cameras in there and leave it open, but not put a business in there," said Councilman Donald Galante.

Galante and other council members expressed concerns about giving a price that might be conceived as subsidizing a business which would be competing with others nearby.

Councilman Stuart Van Winkle said he'd heard feedback from people wishing the bathrooms were open and they could enter the station for warmth during cold weather.

"That has been my thing for 8 years," said Councilman Jonathan Bitman of keeping the train station open. "I would love to see concessions there. If we could keep it open with cameras, I would keep it open, not 24/7 but dawn to dusk."

Police have plans to install cameras in the train station within the year, which Bitman, Galante and Councilman Dan O'Hern said would provide security if the facility were to remain open.