Five Things to Keep In Mind This Week

1. With elections for the school budget and board of education just a few weeks away, the district is in high gear with meetings at several schools to explain the plan for the upcoming school year. Similar meetings have already been held at Middle School North, Land O'Pines and Ramtown.

Monday night there are meetings at 7 p.m. at the Taunton and Aldrich Schools, while a third meeting is scheduled for 8 p.m. at Griebling School. There are four meetings on the agenda for tomorrow, including at Memorial Middle School, Greenville, Ardena and Newbury. The schedule of meetings wraps up on Wednesday with a gathering at 9:30 a.m. at Middle School South and at 10 a.m. at Land O'Pines.

2. If you have not registered to vote yet, there is still a little time. Residents must be registered to vote by April 6. An application can be found attached to this story.

3. There are also meetings being held this week, starting tonight at 7 p.m. when the planning board will convene. Then on Tuesday night the Town Council will have a workshop meeting at 7:30 at Town Hall. 

Tuesday night's meeting agenda includes a public hearing on the Route 9 Sewer Extension Assessments. This is a continuation from what was a contentious back in December. The 2011 Municipal Budget will also be formally introduced with a public hearing scheduled for May 10. 

In the news out of the ordinary category, there is an ordinance scheduled to be on the agenda for introduction that would allow tattoo and body piercing businesses in HD-1 zones. These companies had originally been restricted by earlier township codes. The public hearing for this ordinance would also be held on May 10.

4. Several of the Howell Township Public Schools will also be holding fundraisers this week. Land O'Pines School is holding a pie fundraiser to help raise money for a playground. The goal is to sell 500 pies for a total of $2700. All orders have to be in by Tuesday, with pickup set for April 13. For more information contact Joanne Pepper at 609-851-7442.

Ramtown School will also be holding a fundraiser with their Stick With Nick Campaign. This effort aims to raise money for a former student at the school who is battling bone cancer. The kindergarten through third grade students are encouraged to bring in a quarter to donate and will receive a sticker for helping in the school's effort.

The Griebling School will also be holding a used clothing drive on Friday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Clothes that can be worn by men, women and children are encouraged to be dropped off at the side cafeteria door. Other items including shoes, belts, handbags, linens, stuffed animals and toys are also welcome.

A donation will be made to the school based on the total poundage of the donations. All items must be in well tied plastic bags. For more information contact Julianne Willoughby at jsw1998@msn.com. 

5. If the weather holds up, the first full week of the spring season should be an exciting one for the Howell Rebels. While the baseball and softball teams are scheduled to take on Middletown South on Monday, the boys lacrosse team will meet local rival Freehold Township on Wednesday at home. The girls lacrosse team will welcome Manalapan to town on Thursday before softball plays a non division game against JP Stevens at home and baseball travels to St. Rose on Saturday.