Millstone students know their places in the world Ten finalists compete in National Geographic Bee BY JENNIFER KOHLHEPP Staff Writer       In Millstone, there's a kind of bee that doesn't buzz or require spelling. It's been around for 23 years, and it's not in someone's bonnet. The National Geographic Bee may not sound familiar to most people, but it isn't a new kind of bee at all. More ... Lawmakers pass new school-funding formula State aid could increase 20 percent in U.F., 10 percent in Millstone BY CHRIS GAETANO Staff Writer       Lawmakers in the state Senate and General Assembly narrowly passed a bill that would radically alter the way that state aid is apportioned to local school districts, after a tooth-and-nail struggle that, as one assemblyman observed, fell mostly along geographic lines. More ... Stalking bill expected to be reintroduced BY REBECCA MORTON Staff Writer       Although it received last-minute unanimous passage in the lame duck state Assembly with an 80-0 vote, bill A- 4354, which sought to increase the penalties and alter the definition of stalking, died due to lack of time and a lack of action in the state Senate. More ... Vandals attack heart of Roosevelt community FDR monument pedestal may need to be replaced BY JENNIFER KOHLHEPP Staff Writer       ROOSEVELT- The Franklin D. RooseveltMemorial in the center of town was defaced with spray paint last week. The New Jersey State Police continue to investigate the vandalism, which also occurred on two Farm Lane traffic signs and near the loading area of the town's post office. More ... Abandoned gas station site on its way to a new life Boro's environmental consultants have no concerns about soil BY JENNIFER KOHLHEPP Staff Writer       Themounds of excavated dirt piled up at the gas station site on Route 571 in Rooseveltmay be removed in the next 45 days. The dirt has been sitting at the site sinceMay, when the borough hired a firm to remove the underground tanks fromthe nearly 3-acre abandoned site. More ... Millstone's master plan revisions set to begin Township adopts greenway plan for trail project BY JANE MEGGITT Staff Writer       MILLSTONE - The township's Planning Board unanimously voted to adopt the Crosswicks Creek/Doctors Creek (CCDC) Watershed Greenway Plan as an amendment to the master plan. More ... Millstoners vent concerns about Dairy Queen site Developer wants to add private roadway to site BY JANE MEGGITT Staff Writer       MILLSTONE - A prominent local attorney appeared before the Planning Board at its Jan. 9 meeting to discuss a property he partly owns. Residents who live near the property on the corner of Routes 526 and 571 attended the meeting to voice their concerns about the site, located in the neighborhood ... More ... Health board reorganizes in U.F. Twp. Community's health service contract expected to increase $3,300 BY JANE MEGGITT Staff Writer       UPPER FREEHOLD- The township's Board of Health reorganized at its first meeting of the year Jan. 8. Officers of the board will remain as they have for several years, with Dr. S. Perrine Dey as chairman,Dr.Kathy Stryeski as vice chairwoman and Nancy Amontis as secretary. More ... U.F. Planning Board taps new appointee as chair New leader says recent master plan revisions require discussion BY JANE MEGGITT Staff Writer       UPPER FREEHOLD - In a close vote, the township's Planning Board elected a new chairman at its first meeting of the year. The board voted 5-4 to elect newly appointed member John Mele as its chairman. Mele previously served on the board for many years and as mayor in 2004. More ... Millstone committeeman calls for salary reductions Other officials agree to not increase their pay in 2008 BY JANE MEGGITT Staff Writer       MILLSTONE - A typo on an ordinance has caused some confusion over the mayor's salary. The Township Committee introduced an ordinance pertaining to the salaries of township officials and employees at its Jan. 2 meeting. The committee voted 4-1 to introduce the ordinance, with Committeeman Elias A... More ... Local towns assess need for shelter       UPPER FREEHOLD - Monmouth County is in the process of determining whether to build its own animal shelter. The township's Board of Health discussed the idea of participating in the Animal Share Program's feasibility study for the creation of a county shelter at its Jan. 8 meeting. More ... Fence, trees to be placed near Rick's BY JANE MEGGITT Staff Writer       UPPER FREEHOLD - Shade trees and fencing will soon border Rick's Saddle Shop property on the corner of Route 539 and Burlington Path Road. The Planning Board unanimously approved a revised landscaping plan for the site at its Jan. 10 meeting. More ... Jersey Syndicate hopes to follow initial success First year gives band, audiences good feelings as group gets rolling BY AMY ROSEN Staff Writer       Mike Sasso has always believed that you should never burn bridges because the people you deal with may be able to help you in the future. That has proved to be a good strategy for Sasso and his band mates in The Jersey Syndicate, who had the rare opportunity to open for Twisted Sister in the band'... More ... Novad Court tract under consideration for COAH Ordinance regarding acquisition would allow use of eminent domain BY JANE MEGGITT Staff Writer       MILLSTONE - An ordinance the township is considering would give officials the power to acquire a Novad Court property through eminent domain. The Township Committee voted 4-1 to introduce an ordinance Jan. 2 concerning the acquisition of approximately 18 acres on Novad Court to facilitate the to... More ... Blood donations urgently needed       New Jersey Blood Services (NJBS), a division of New York Blood Center, will be conducting a blood drive Jan. 20 at Dunkin' Donuts, 285 Gordons Corner Road,Manalapan, from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. According to a press release from NJBS, the winter is always a critical time of the year for blood collect... More ...