PLUMSTED TOWNSHIP
TOWN, SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY NEWS
"Town Talk" - posted by Mayor Ronald S. Dancer
August 11, 2008
The Arts will be Sizzlin' in New Egypt this Summer!
PLUMSTED TOWNSHIP -  On August 22, we will commemorate the 3rd anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. The
Arts Council will hold an opening reception between 7–9 PM for the first gallery show in their new home at the
Welcome Center. Photography of New Orleans since the storm, taken by Lori Parsells  will document the
destruction, as well as the slow road back for New Orleans. Come join us, as we experience the music, food,
and culture of this fabulous arts city!

To close the summer, on August 24, join us at 11 AM to learn to dance flamenco! Ben Phipps will accompany his
wife Emma on guitar, as she teaches the art of flamenco dance (for beginners!). After the lesson, Ben and
Emma will be joined by a 2nd dancer and a percussionist. Stay and enjoy the show! This event will take place at
27 Main St (at the corner of Evergreen Rd), the site of the former fitness center.
No doubt about it, the Summer will be Sizzlin' with great art, dance and music on Main St! For more information,
check out the PTCA website at www.plumstedartscouncil.org Now all we need is you!

Hope to see you there!
photo -Patrick Riordan


Approximately one year ago the Plumsted Township Board of Education began the arduous process of
searching for a suitable superintendent for our district. On July 28, 2008, at a special meeting of the
Plumsted Township Board of Education, the Board appointed Dr. Mark DeMareo as the Plumsted
Township Superintendent of Schools. We are very pleased to announce that Dr. DeMareo is scheduled to
begin service September 1st for the start of the new school year.

Beginning in October of last year various stakeholders met to help start the process of finding the right
superintendent for Plumsted.  Staff, administrators, parents, Town Council Representatives, and
community members set the criteria that they were looking for in a superintendent.  Throughout this entire
process the Board has never lost sight of this criteria and I would like to thank these stakeholders for their
participation in this process. I am very pleased to say that we have hired a person who exceeds the criteria
that was set forth.

Our new Superintendent is a strong communicator who is able to bring all stake holders together. We
found someone who has a K-12 teaching and administrative background with high school experience. He
supports professional development and has extensive administrative experience.  Our new Superintendent
has formidable knowledge of special education and he is versed in curriculum design, development, and
implementation.

Dr. DeMareo has proven to be accessible, approachable, and visible in the districts he has worked.  He is
a team builder who is goal oriented and extremely organized.  The new Superintendent is honest, ethical,
fair, objective, and has a high degree of integrity.  In his previous districts he has proven to think outside the
box.  He is a collaborative leader who is focused on the students.

With guidance from the New Jersey School Boards Association, the Board was able to conduct a thorough
and complete search.  There were 21 applicants, and after carefully reviewing each application, the Board
decided to interview six candidates.  We held first and second round interviews and after each round Dr.
DeMareo rose to the top.  The Board diligently checked references and attended visits to Dr. DeMareo’s
district.

After offering the position to Dr. DeMareo, contract negotiations ensued. Once the contract was accepted by
the new superintendent and the Board, the law requires that the County Superintendent’s Office approve
the contract prior to appointment.  This contract was reviewed by the Executive County Superintendent and
the Executive County Business Administrator and they have determined that the contract is in compliance
with the regulations. Dr. DeMareo’s contract was the first new contract approved in Ocean County since the
new regulations were put in place in early July.  The County Superintendent advised us that that Dr.
DeMareo’s contract is a “model contract” that can be used as a template for other districts to follow.  

The contract was approved by a vote of 4 to 1.  Mrs. Soles stated that her no vote should not be taken as a
negative towards Dr. DeMareo, but was based on some unresolved issues she had regarding the
contract.   Because of the commitment and dedication of this Board of Education, our community can feel
confident that throughout this entire process no stone went unturned. I would personally like to extend my
appreciation to all of the Board members for the countless hours that they have spent engaged in this
process.  Their hard work and commitment is greatly appreciated.

Dr. DeMareo comes to us from neighboring Jackson Township where for the past five years he has served
as an Assistant Superintendent.  Prior to that he was the Principal of Ramapo High School in Franklin
Lakes, Bergen County and before that he was the Principal of Raritan High School in Monmouth County.
His teaching experience is as a general music teacher and choral director.

He is currently member of the Board of Trustees at Rider University. He also is a member of the
Headmaster’s Association which is a select group of 100 educators consisting of 75 American private
school headmasters and 25 public school principals.

From 1998-2002 he served as Co-chair of the Advisory Board at the Principals’ Center, Harvard University
Graduate School of Education.  As a 1978 graduate of the Westminster Choir College, Dr. DeMareo served
in various leadership positions in the alumni association including service as the association president.   

The next regular meeting of The Plumsted Township Board of Education will be Wednesday, August 27,
2008 at 7:30 p.m. The meetings are held at New Egypt High School. Comments and opinions from the
public are encouraged and welcomed. You are now able to access board agendas and minutes via the
district website and Board members can be reached via e-mail.  Log onto the district website: www.
newegypt.us and click onto the board of education tab to access email addresses, agendas and minutes.
District News
Written By Joanna Barlow
School Board President
8/6/08
76 Plumsted Residents Eligible For Up To $600
While a majority of people have already received their
check from the Federal Government in May and June
for the one time National “Economic Stimulus
Payment” program, there remains a significant
number of older adults who have not taken advantage
of this cash payment benefit.

According to Ocean County Freeholder Director, Joe
Vicari, there are 76 individuals in Plumsted Township
who are entitled, but have not filed for their cash
payment. Of the 76 people qualified, 42 individuals are
aged 65 and over.

Even individuals that do not usually file a Federal tax
return are still eligible for the payment which is $300
for a single person and $600 for a joint return if they
had at least $3,000 in qualifying income in 2007. The
new deadline to receive payment is October 15 for
those persons who are not required to file a Federal
tax return. For more information and assistance
contact the Ocean County Office of Senior Services toll
free at: 1-800-668-4899.

The annual Fall service project for the local “Mom’s
Club” is collecting school supplies for children who
may not have the financial means to have more than
the basics offered at the school.

With the cooperation of local businesses, the Mom’s Club has donation bins conveniently located at the
following downtown New Egypt stores: The New Egypt Market Place; the CVS Pharmacy; Taster’s Canvas
Deli; and the Broken Porch. Among the items being donated are: notebooks, calculators; book back packs;
pens, pencils, notepads and crayons, etc.

With the Fall season approaching, residents are reminded to mark their calendars for the annual Flu Shot
Clinic to be held in Plumsted and scheduled for Wednesday, November 5th at the New Egypt First Aid
Building from 1 to 2pm.

The filing deadline is August 15 for the Homestead Rebate Program for homeowners and tenants Mobile
home owners may also qualify. The deadline for senior and disabled homeowners to file their Homestead
Rebate and Senior Freeze applications has also been extended to August 15. More information can be
obtained by calling the Tax Collector’s office at 609-758-2241 ext. 120.
Residents are reminded and encouraged to attend the Township’s Council for the Arts Summer events in
Downtown New Egypt. The next event is, “After Katrina,” featuring photos, food and music of New Orleans
on Friday, August 22nd, at the Welcome Center, 31 Main Street from 7 to 9pm. One of the most popular and
best attended events is the return of “Cruz Nites,” featuring the display of classic and antique cars, to the
New Egypt Downtown Main Street, on the second Thursday of each month. The final two “Cruz Nites” are
August 14th and September 11th (6 to 9 pm).

   The next regularly scheduled public meeting with Township Committee members Dave Leutwyler, Steve
Reed, Eric Sorchik and Deputy Mayor Mike McCue is Wednesday, September 3rd  at 8:00 P.M.. Meet
personally with the Mayor at the Library on the 2nd Wednesday of each month from 7 to 9 p.m. (August 13)
to discuss Local concerns or State issues. Residents may call the Library (758-7888) in advance to
schedule a specific time for your convenience. The Mayor encourages residents to contact him anytime at
758-2241x102 Township / 758-3497 Home / r.s.dancer@att.net
      Browse the Township website: www.plumsted.org for more information and current events.
Jay Sweet Trio performed at Scott's Market in New Egypt on
Saturday. Scott's celebrated their 25th year in business. The
Plumsted Twp Council for the Arts sponsored the band's
appearance, as part of their "Sizzilin' Summer Concert" series.
photos by Pat Riordan
New Egypt Pop Warner Football Dance and Cheer season began this week.  All football
teams reported for conditioning this week, and cheer and dance began working on stunting
and routines.  The Pop Warner football season begins September 6.  All rosters will be
finalized next week, a few openings are available.  Please visit www.newegyptpopwarner.com
for more details and photos.
NEW EGYPT POP WARNER KICKS OFF SEASON
POSTED BY TONI BARNETT
8/11/08