Manchester Mayor Michael Fressola on Senior Services
The mayor shares his thoughts about serving seniors in Ocean County and Manchester
Another year has past and I am delighted to report to our residents regarding the past year’s services to residents by the Community Services, Inc. of Ocean County, a private non profit agency that provides “Meals on Wheels,” “Congregate Meals” and “Social Support Services” to the senior residents of Manchester and the county.
CSI operates the senior nutrition programs located in the Ridgeway Fire Station on Route 571, and in the Community Reformed Church on Lacey Road. Five days each week CSI provides hot nutritious meals in a congenial setting and delivers Meals on Wheels to the frail homebound elderly of Manchester Township.
In 2010, 59,322 hot nutritious lunches consisting of an entrée, vegetable, starch, bread, juice, milk, fruit and dessert were served to 233 homebound Manchester seniors in our Meals on Wheels Program and 197 Manchester seniors who attended our Congregate Nutrition program. In addition, 73 homebound Manchester seniors received Weekend Meals on Wheels (lunch for Saturday and Sunday). The total cost of nutrition services provided to the residents of Manchester Township during the year 2010 was $525,418.
For many years Manchester Township and CSI have been partners together in the vital work of providing nutrition and support services that enable our seniors to remain living as independently as possible in their own homes. The support services Manchester Township continues to provide, such as: Meals on Wheels eligibility assessments, maintenance services at the Ridgeway site and our financial contribution each year of one-half the annual rent and maintenance costs of the Whiting site.
These services are provided under the leadership of James G. Sigurdson, Executive Director of the program and his outstanding staff and dedicated volunteers. Jim has recently written to me to state, “Mayor Fressola, I consider it a privilege to be a partner with you and Manchester Township in the vital work of feeding and caring for the elderly of our community. Feel free to visit our sites to meet and to talk with our program participants and staff.”
This column was written by Manchester Mayor Michael Fressola and does not reflect the views of Manchester Patch. Reader questions and comments are encouraged below.
Dan
11:28 am on Friday, January 25, 2013
STATE OF NEW JERSEY LOCAL FINANCE BOARD NOTICE OF VIOLATION
In Re: [Michael Fressola, Mayor, Township of Manchester, Complaint
This matter having come before the Local Finance Board (Board) pursuant to the Local Government Ethics Law, N.J.S.A. et seq., upon complaint that Mayor Michael Fressola used the address and telephone number of the Township of Manchester City Hall in a political mail piece, using the resources of the Township for his personal gain and securing unwarranted privileges or advantages for himself and his campaign in violation of N.J.S.A. and,
WHEREAS, the Board determined that the allegations were within its jurisdiction, were not frivolous and were based upon a reasonable factual basis, authorized an investigation of this complaint; and
WHEREAS, the Local Government Ethics Law states:
N.J.S.A. 40A: No local government officers or employee shall use or attempt to use his official position to secure unwarranted privileges or advantages for himself or others; and,
Dan
11:29 am on Friday, January 25, 2013
WHEREAS, the Board, having considered the matter and the relevant statements and presented and all documentation with the written response to the allegations submitted by Mayor Fressola, concluded that the use of the Municipal Building address and telephone number in the letterhead of a political mailer distributed in connection with the May
11, 2010 election constitutes the use or attempted use of Mayor Fressola's official position to
secure an unwarranted privilege or advantage for himself or others in violation of N.J.S.A.
It is therefore,
DETERMINED that Mayor Michael Fressola shall be assessed a fine in the amount of $100.00 for the violation as related to his engaging in activities prohibited by the statute. Said fine shall be payable to: Treasurer, State of New Jersey, and be submitted to: Thomas H. Neff, Chair, Local Finance Board, P.O. Box 803, Trenton, New Jersey, 08625 immediately. If payment of said fine is not received within 10 days receipt of this NOTICE, Mayor Fressola is subject to additional fines as determined by the Board in accordance with its powers in N.J.S.A.40A:9-
22.10, Violations and Penalties.