Asbury Park Press from Asbury Park, New Jersey • Page 98

THURSDAY, FEB. 17, 2000 FREEHOLD REPORTER ASBURY PARK PRESS PAGE 9 Town ILsisttWoTCl Developers may need approval to cluster homes on clustering of new homes if it results in a large amount of contiguous open space, as opposed to "narrow bands" of it, he said. "If there is a large area of land, and clustering will result in a large area of treed land andor open space being donated to the township, the Planning Board might consider allowing clustering," Segal said. "It would have to be something really unique and it would have to preserve a lot of open space or treed land." A public hearing on the ordinance will be held in March. mittee, according to Mayor David P.Segal.

In the past, builders were permitted to cluster the homes in their development so that the remaining acreage on the parcel remained open space. This was seen as an advantage to both the builder and the township, as the builder cuts his costs on road construction, water and sewer line work, and the town saves on future costs by having fewer streets to maintain, patrol, etc. Environmentalists have favored clustering because the developer builds the same number of homes as is permitted under the zone, but preserves more contiguous open space outside the development. However, township officials said that most of the undeveloped land remaining in Freehold Township is zoned to allow homes on larger lots, ranging from 2-to-5 acres. One reason officials do not favor clustering in those zones is that the property taxes that can be derived from the larger homes on larger lots are more than the cost of providing mu nicipal services to the families who live there.

Under the ordinance introduced at the committee's Feb. 8 meeting, clustering will only be permitted if the developer meets certain guidelines. For example, the land has to be in a zone that allows either 2-acre or 3-acre lot sizes, the tract must be at least 100 acres and the land must be adjacent to open space already owned by the municipality, county or state, according to Township Administrator Thomas Antus. Officials will only look favorably BY BRIAN DONAHUE Staff Writer Developers would no longer have the option of clustering new houses together if an ordinance introduced by the Freehold Township Committee last week is passed. Instead, a developer looking to build homes closer together in order to cut his costs will have to meet special provisions in the ordinance and receive a recommendation from the Planning Board and approval from the Township Com Organization keeps memory of Titanic alive rL If Church benefit to aid YMCA program The First Presbyterian Church of Freehold, Brincker-hoff Avenue and Main Street, will hold a luncheon Feb.

25 to benefit the outreach program of the YMCA of of Western Mon- mouth County, Freehold Town- ship. The church has been hosting community luncheons for several years for the benefit of local outreach programs. "The idea is to interest local residents and business people in coming to our luncheon between the hours of 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. to enjoy good food at a min- imal donation of $5 while at the same time helping neighbors," church member Jeanette S.

Bates said. The menu at the Feb. 25 lun- cheon will consist of a choice of two of the following: salad bar, sandwich and homemade soup. A beverage and dessert will be included. For information, con- tact the church office at (732) 462-0234.

EXPO 2000 will be held at mall The Western Monmouth Chamber of Commerce has announced plans for EXPO 2000, scheduled for Saturday, Sunday and Monday at Freehold Race- way Mall, operating during reg- ular mall business hours of 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Saturday and Monday, and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.

EXPO 2000 is the 19th annual goods and services exposition sponsored by the Western Monmouth Chamber of Commerce. EXPO 2000 exhibitors who represent a cross-section of members of the Western Monmouth Chamber of Commerce 1 will be available to talk to shop- pers who want to know more about new products or services. Cartoon characters, courtesy of Six Flags Great Adventure will also be on hand from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday. CentraState appoints new board officers New board officers were appointed to two-year terms at CentraState Healthcare System's Annual Board of Trustees meeting on Jan.

20. Robert Agel, Howell, is now chairperson; Vincent P. Maltese, Colts Neck, is vice chair, and Anthony J. Caprio, Marlboro, is secretarytreasurer. Agel, president of Coastal Title Agency Inc.

in Freehold Borough, is a trustee for the Col-lier Foundation Services and a member of the Western Mon- mouth Exchange Club and the Howell Optimist Club. Maltese is a senior partner at Wilentz, Goldman and Spitzer, Woodbridge. He is a member of the Board of Directors for the Center for Health Affairs, a Colts Neck Republican Chair- -man and a charter member of the Board of Trustees of the Colts Neck Library Foundation. Caprio is vice president of cor- porate sales for Cardinal Health, 1 New York region, He is the Marlboro Township Commissioner of Parks and Recreation and a Freehold Regional High School District football coach. dates back 40 years to when he was in grammar school and read Walter Lord's book about the ship, "A Night to Remember." "Now, here I am president of one of the largest Titanic societies in the world," he said.

DiSogra said he is excited about the Saturday program, which will include a presentation on the golden age of cruise ship travel by author William Miller, as well as appearances by Charles Haas and Jack Eaton, authors, historians and members of the 1993 and 1996 dive expeditions to the wreckage site. "They are the chief historical consultants to our society, and they will show some underwater footage never seen before," DiSogra said. George Tulloch, who was the founder of RMS Titanic the company that owns the ship's salvage rights, will also be on hand to talk about his experiences and answer questions. "He is no longer on the board of RMS Titanic," DiSogra said, "but he is the main player in the Titanic story. He got (Titanic' director) James Cameron involved." In addition, the granddaughter of one of the postal workers who lost his life on board the ship will be attending.

The N.J. postal worker's body was found a few days after the ship sank, and it was identified by a large pinky ring with an 'M' on it. Other artifacts include a signed dollar bill, which one of the survivors had with him at the time of the disaster, as well as an eight-foot section of rope from one of the ship's lifeboats. BY SHARON KRENGEL Correspondent Even the start of a new century hasn't dimmed interest in the Titanic. The tragic voyage of this mythic ocean liner still captures the imagination, and no group understands that better than the Titanic International Society.

This nonprofit, historical society, which is based in Freehold Township, is holding a special event on Saturday at the American Legion Post No. 54 at 62 West Main St. in Freehold. The day-long program will feature an exhibit of Titanic artifacts and memorabilia from 1912, as well as guest appearances and video of the wreckage site and of a memorial ceremony, held last summer in Nova Scotia, for the children who died aboard the ship. The United States Coast Guard also will present a "Safety at Sea" program.

Exhibits and lectures will be open to the public from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The price of admission is $5 for adults and $2 for students. One of the event's organizers, Robert M. DiSogra, an audiologist and Freehold Township resident, is co-founder and president of the 10-year-old Titanic International Society, which boasts 800 members worldwide.

The society has provided research and reference materials for the Titanic artifact expeditions that have been shown on the Discovery Channel and for exhibits around the world, DiSogra said. DiSogra's interest in the Titanic Dr. Robert DiSogra, co-founder and president of the Titanic International Society, holds an original picture of the Titanic, (photo: doreen kapasakisj Maritime memorabilia dealers with ship-related items for sale will also be attending the event, and visitors are encouraged to bring their Titanic models. nature in Freehold, DiSogra said. The first event drew over 200 people, arid DiSogra expects even more interest this year because of the movie, "Titanic." Memorabilia from 1912, the year the liner sank, will include books, postcards and song sheets.

This is the second time the society is presenting a program of this nv. EventCalendar FRIDAY Mm FEB. 18 It nrl- jo. Hinowii Freehold Reporter appears every Thursday in the Asbury Park Press. Readers are invited to write or call to share their opinions and ideas for news stories.

REPLACEMENT SURGERY freehold: CentraState Healthcare Systems will hold a preparatory class for hip and knee replacement surgery 2 p.m. at Manor Care Center on West Main Street. Call (732) 780-3013. SATURDAY MONDAY MARCH 6 DAY IN ATLANTIC CITY freehold: A bus trip to Trump Plaza will leave 10 a.m. from Liberty Oak Park.

Cost is $12 and includes show ticket, $5 coin rebate and $3 food coupon. Call Freehold Township Parks and Recreation at (732) 294-2190. WEDNESDAY MARCH 15 TO A MATINEE freehold: Freehold Township Parks and Recreation's trip to NYC to see The Lion King" leaves at 10 a.m. Cost is $85 per person. Call (732) 294-2191.

WEDNESDAY FEB. 23 STRENGTH TRAINING freehold: CentraState Healthcare System will hold a six-week strength training and flexibility class from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the Health Awareness Center. Fee is $39. Call (732) 780-3013.

SATURDAY MARCH 4 STARS ON ICE freehold: Freehold Township Parks and Recreation will sponsor a bus trip to Madison Square Garden to see Olympic champions perform. The bus leaves 6 p.m. from Liberty Oak Park. Tickets are $80 for front row VIP seating. FEB.

19 NEWS John Hudzinski, Editor of New Publications hudapp.com Debbie Mura, News Editor Paula Vitakis, Sports Coordinator Glenn A. Polyn, Copy Editor Brian Donahue, Staff Reporter Susan Weiner, Staff Reporter Pat Rein, Reader Service Coordinator ADVERTISING Felissa Schingo 235 Willowbrook, Freehold, NJ 07728 (732) 922-6000, Ext. 4460 (732) 922-6000, Ext. 4611 (732) 922-6000, Ext. 4302 (732) 922-6000, Ext.

4313 (732) 863-1500, Ext. 7758 (732) 922-6000, Ext. 4275 (732) 922- 6000, Ext. 4291 (732) 863-1500, Ext. 7723 TITANIC EXHIBIT freehold: Titanic International Society will hold an exhibit of Titanic artifacts and related memorabilia from 10 a.m.

to 4 p.m. at the American Legion Post, 62 W. Main St. Admission is $5 for adults, $2 for students. Call (732) 462-1413.

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