Lakehurst is ready to celebrate Independence Day

LAKEHURST – The borough is ready for the Fourth of July holiday. A red, white and blue sign was posted on the front door of the community center where attendees at the last council meeting were able to learn about activities planned for next week.

A fireworks display will take place at dusk on July 3, an Independence Day parade will take place at 11 a.m. on July 4, and the annual car show will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. the same day.

All entertainment will take place on Union Avenue, including Lakehurst Elementary School at 301 Union Avenue and Lake Horicon.

The annual car show will feature over 80 trophies, a live DJ, food vendors, a gift auction, a coloring contest, a children’s choice for the best decorated car for the Fourth of July, dashboard plaques and much more. This event is once again hosted by the Lakehurst Historical Society. The borough is in charge of the fireworks.

“Things are moving along nicely,” City Councilman James Davis, who oversees the car show, said last week.

For more details on next week’s activities, visit https://lakehurst-nj.gov/

Councillor Robert McCarthy noted last week that the borough needs a lifeguard. “We don’t have a lifeguard, so there’s no swimming at the lake (Lake Horicon).” He also recently noted that he met with the borough’s personnel committee to discuss some of the issues that need to be addressed.

Board Chairman Steven Oglesby said that a few years ago, “we were working with Maria Sessa of JCP&L to upgrade our street lighting to LED lighting. We installed about 10 street lights, and then Ms. Sessa retired.”

The council president asked the borough to contact Jersey Central Power & Light (JCP&L) to see if this program could still work.

Mayor Harry Robbins asked Borough Clerk Maryanne Capasso to send him JCP&L’s contact information and he would make the call.

Councilor Oglesby also noted that sand continues to blow onto Lake Horicon and recommended staggering the barricades to provide full access to the lake.

Oglesby also mentioned that it was mosquito season and he noticed a lot of people were using pesticides, but pesticides also kill bees. “So please use them sparingly.”

Mayor Robbins said we hope to attract pollinators with the addition of the circles.

Councilwoman Patricia Hodges added that they should not be lured in to kill them. Hodges also noted that a community garden project is being considered and that a “pumpkin patch is in the works” for the fall.

City Councilor Bernadette Dugan said work on the roof of Lakehurst Elementary School will begin soon. She said the contractor will “work six days a week” on the project. A public referendum question was passed last year to raise money for the roofing project and construction of a kitchen at the school on Union Avenue.

During the month, the board appointed Capasso and the deputy city clerk to the position of employee benefits clerk.

Marvin E. Dolor, Rory I. James and Jerry L. Thomas were approved to become members of the Lakehurst Fire Department while Christopher Bier was hired as a part-time police officer.

Anthony Farmer was hired as a permanent public works worker and Kori Brennan was given a provisional appointment as Clerk 2, with Renee James approved as Clerk 3.

Another resolution was adopted authorizing 2024 salaries for non-contract employees.