Vernon Township Council notes

VERNON-A brief rundown of matters discussed at July 8 township council meeting: The council approved for a second hearing an ordinance amendment setting a fee of $7 to apply for a domestic partnership registration. The registration falls under the New Jersey Domestic Partnership Act, signed into law Jan. 12 by Gov. James McGreevey, took effect July 10. The Act provides certain rights to domestic partners of the same sex, or of domestic partners of the opposite sex older than 62 years of age. The ordinance will be open to public comment at the July 26 township council meeting, where it will be considered for final passage. More information on the Domestic Partnership Act can be found at the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services Web site at: http://www.state.nj.us/health/vital/dp_faq.shtml. The council approved a resolution to authorize a performance bond for developing Silverdale Lane. Residents in the development previously applied to the council for the town to adopt and improve the road. The council also introduced an ordinance to govern future applications for road adoption. The ordinance will be open for public comment at the July 26 township council meeting. Local Roman Catholic parish St. Francis de Sales was recognized by the township council in honor of the church's twenty-fifth anniversary. "I thank the council for acknowledging and recognizing our twenty-fifth anniversary," said Josephine Prisco, a parish member who accepted the proclamation from the council. Two resolutions concerning planning and development of Route 94 from the border of Warwick, N.Y., to Hardyston Township were approved unanimously. According to Town Manager Don Teolis, the township is looking into ways of improving traffic flow, a requirement for the development of the design of the proposed town center.