Lakewood News Tidbits 2/22/06

Which "Community Members" will Zucker & Schron be taking input from? APP: The blighted 52-acre property that once held the Anchor Glass Container Corp. on Cliffwood Avenue could be converted into a township center with hotels, town houses, three anchor stores, and hundreds of office spaces and apartments. That was the conceptual plan rolled out by Somerset Development, the Lakewood-based company that owns the property. The company's ambitious conversion plans took a positive step Tuesday night, when the township council signed off on designating the land an area in need of redevelopment. The council during the workshop session also designated Somerset the project's developers. After their hourlong presentation, Mayor David Sobel said the development must "give people from the entire area a reason to go. If they accomplish that, that will make (the venture) successful, and it will thrive for years to come." Somerset President Raphael Zucker said the company is eager to get started but will incorporate input from "major stakeholders and community members, at the right time." -------------------------------------------------- Will Officer Menk be there? APP: The Police Department will have a meet and greet of sorts at Thursday's Township Committee meeting.Public Safety Director Al Peters is expected to introduce 10 new full-time officers, said Sgt. Maureen McGilloway, a department spokeswoman. The officers have completed in-house training and are currently working with training officers, McGilloway said.The public presentation will also include an introduction of nine officers recently promoted, including newly-minted Lt. William Addison, a 34-year department veteran who is now the day-shift patrol commander.The committee meeting is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. in the municipal building, 231 Third St.